Shopping

None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.

How this was put together

If you only read a few

Spend good money on items that separate you from the ground, such as boots, bedding, tires, chairs, mattresses, and socks.
Good quality shoes can save thousands in doctor's bills later if you are on your feet most of the day.
9 people, independently
Only buy items that are at least 50% off the store price, unless they are luxury goods in impeccable condition.
You can often get items for 20% off at stores with sales and warranties.
- Exceptions apply for brand name luxury goods in impeccable condition.
one person who lived it
Do not buy items just because there is a sale event; purchase only when you actually need the item.
Buying something you don't need for 'cheap' isn't frugality and doesn't save money if you wouldn't have bought it otherwise.
7 people, independently
Acknowledge that being poor often costs more because you may not be able to buy food in bulk or invest in durable goods.
The inability to buy in bulk can lead to higher costs compared to those who can.
3 people, independently
- Buy items in bulk to keep costs down, but be aware that if you cannot afford large packs upfront, you may end up paying higher prices for smaller quantities.1
Check ethnic markets for lower prices on dried beans and lentils.
Ethnic grocers often sell beans and lentils at cheaper rates.
2 people, independently

buy, buying, items, price72

Wait two weeks before buying non-essential items to avoid impulse purchases.

Buy warehouse club memberships when they are on sale.
One person bought a Sam's Club membership for $10 when it was on sale.
one person who lived it
Cancel memberships if the purchase frequency does not justify the monthly cost.
One person paid $12 a month for a membership that saved only $15 per purchase, but bought items only twice a year.
2 people, independently
Use price tracking to test whether you truly need an item, helping to curb impulse buys.
Tracking prices serves as a way to test your desire for an item and keep impulse buys in check.
2 people, independently
Search online for previous model numbers of shoes to buy them at less than half the price of new releases.
Previous models are discounted drastically when newest versions come out.
one person who lived it

64 more on this

Skip Prime membership if you order only five to six times a year.
The cost is not justified by the low frequency of orders.
one person who lived it
Buy multiple smaller cuts of meat instead of one large cut to get the most from instant rebates.
You can get the rebate on each individual item.
one person who lived it
Be polite to retail staff, recognizing they are working long hours against their will.
Staff members often do not want to work early morning shifts.
one person who lived it
Monitor Subscribe and Save prices regularly and cancel if costs increase.
Prices can increase, such as tripling in cost.
one person who lived it
Use a Pack N Play, bassinet, or co-sleeper instead of an expensive crib.
An expensive crib is unnecessary.
one person who lived it
Write down non-essential items you want and wait a week before buying to see if the desire persists.
Patience can lead to lower prices or reveal that the item is not truly needed.
one person who lived it
- Wait two weeks before buying non-essential items to avoid impulse purchases.9
Shop in-store using your online delivery cart as a strict list to avoid impulse buys and save money.
Sticking to the list prevents deviation and can lower the total bill.
one person who lived it
Shop thrift stores, garage sales, or Craigslist for high-quality brand-name items like cookware and clothing to save money.
You can find better quality items for lower prices, such as $5 sweaters in natural fibers or regular supplies of dishes.
2 people, independently
Research who manufactures store-brand products to find identical items sold at lower prices.
You might be paying more for the same product made in the same plant.
one person who lived it
Know the regular market value of an item before buying to determine if a sale is genuinely helpful.
Discount percentages like 40% off are meaningless without knowing the final price.
2 people, independently
Buy higher-quality durable goods instead of cheap replacements to avoid frequent repurchasing and physical discomfort.
Cheap items may pull hair, cause pain, or lead to rashes due to dull blades.
one person who lived it
Refuse to use credit cards for purchases by never carrying them.
to avoid impulse buys
2 people, independently
Do not assume leaving items in your cart will lower the price; prices may rise to create urgency.
Sellers may raise prices slightly to induce panic buying before a larger increase.
one person who lived it
Only buy items you already planned to purchase, ignoring impulse buys triggered by sales.
Buying something you didn't plan to buy because it is cheaper means you spent money you could have kept, rather than saving it.
2 people, independently
Buy dry foods, pet food, and heavy items in bulk on Amazon if you find them cheaper locally.
One person found these items much cheaper than elsewhere and noted it saves the effort of lugging heavy goods.
one person who lived it
Buy clothes online from Costco to access discounts for multiple items and free shipping.
Online purchases offer discounts for buying five or ten items, plus free shipping.
one person who lived it
Go to multiple stores to ensure you are stocked up and buying items on sale.
one person who lived it
Recognize that buying something you do not need is a 100% markup on wasted money.
one person who lived it
Demand deep discounts or find used/borrowed options for non-urgent purchases.
The less urgently you need something, the lower price you can demand; borrowing saves money, space, and helps the environment.
one person who lived it
Consider whether paying slightly more to avoid long lines is worth the value of your personal time.
one person who lived it
Decide what you need before browsing deal lists to avoid creating artificial wants.
Scrolling through deals acts like advertising and creates wants.
one person who lived it
Shop at Winners for discounted nice clothes, or TJ Maxx in the US if living near the border.
TJ Maxx is the 'american winners' and would be even cheaper.
one person who lived it
Buy older technology models rather than the latest releases to save money, accepting that they will become obsolete sooner.
Technology becomes outdated in 2-5 years regardless; paying less for last year's tech is more efficient than paying more for next year's.
one person who lived it
Avoid buying shoes that cost $100-$150 if they only last one year before needing replacement.
Short lifespan makes the cost inefficient.
one person who lived it
Research and plan purchases beforehand by knowing the item's selling price over previous months.
This helps you find a genuine bargain.
one person who lived it
- Do research for a couple of weeks before making large purchases to ensure you are getting a genuine low price.3
- Check costs across different options before buying to locate the most favorable price.8
Recognize that cheap items often end up being more expensive in the long run.
2 people, independently
Calculate the price per unit (e.g., per ounce) rather than relying on total price when comparing products.
Retailers often raise prices on larger quantities because consumers assume bulk buys are cheaper.
one person who lived it
Buy electronics and appliances in cash rather than leasing them.
Owning is cheaper than leasing.
one person who lived it
Buy air conditioners in winter and sell them in summer for a higher price.
one person who lived it
Replace recurring purchases with one-time quality purchases to save money.
The price of multiple items adds up.
one person who lived it
Declutter closets and homewares, then create a list of missing items and only shop from that list.
Shopping only from a needs-based list cuts out unnecessary spending.
one person who lived it
Think twice before buying discounted items that require signing up for a recurring 'cancel any time' auto-ship program.
It is usually not worth the time required to go through the process of canceling.
one person who lived it
Do not rely solely on MSRP or listed 'regular' prices to judge deal value.
Retailers often set these prices artificially high so items always appear to be on sale.
one person who lived it
Buy everyday items you replace weekly or monthly in bulk rather than buying single units.
Buying in bulk saves money compared to smaller quantities, acting like tax-free income.
one person who lived it
Avoid browsing online marketplaces like Amazon or Temu to prevent impulse buying items you do not need.
Getting good deals on unneeded items is not actually a good deal.
one person who lived it
Consider the total cost of ownership, including shipping, when shopping online for second-hand items.
Shipping prices can be high relative to the item price.
one person who lived it
Be aware that retailers may lower the quality of an item while keeping the price similar.
This creates a false sense of getting a better deal.
one person who lived it
Buy bulk dry tea and separate it into individual bags yourself using an infuser to save time and money.
Saves the time and money of buying pre-made teabags.
one person who lived it
If coordinating local pickups is exhausting, buy new directly from the manufacturer even if it costs slightly more.
One person found the hassle of dealing with flakes and coordination not worth the small savings.
one person who lived it
Avoid buying used high-end GPUs unless they are under warranty, noting that warranties may not cover mining damage.
Warranties may not cover mining damage.
one person who lived it
Watch YouTube channels like Rose Anvil that cut shoes in half to inspect construction before buying.
It is surprising that more expensive doesn’t always mean best construction
one person who lived it
Recognize that you do not need more material goods when bargain shopping.
one person who lived it
Consider searching for common misspellings of item names to find undervalued listings that avoid competition, though this may be obsolete with modern search engines.
Misspelled items are less likely to be found and receive bids.
- Modern search engines may make this technique obsolete.
2 people, independently
Recognize that you may rationalize poor financial decisions made during sales due to sunk cost fallacy.
People rationalize bad decisions to feel better even if the amount is small.
one person who lived it
Verify that you are comparing the exact same edition and seller when noticing price discrepancies.
Prices may be set by the publisher or vary between multiple editions.
one person who lived it
Order only shelf-stable items for delivery to avoid impulse shopping, ensuring the order meets the free shipping threshold.
Excluding fridge food helps control spending while meeting the minimum for free delivery.
one person who lived it
State the original cost and provide links to the product's new listing.
This establishes accurate value and allows buyer research.
one person who lived it
Avoid buying clothes, purses, and car parts from Amazon if you perceive the quality as cheaply made.
One person noticed these specific categories becoming cheaply made.
one person who lived it
If you are considering an expensive item like a TV, monitor the price for an extended period, such as a year, to ensure it is not going further down before buying.
one person who lived it
Stop shopping through social media platforms like Instagram to remove constant advertising triggers.
Ads constantly tempt users; removing the trigger helps stop impulsive spending.
one person who lived it
Only buy discounted items if you were already planning to purchase them; otherwise, you are spending money rather than saving it.
3 people, independently
- Recognize that spending money on a discounted item is not a bargain if you otherwise wouldn't have spent that money; focus on the actual amount leaving your pocket.1
Buy quality used goods instead of poor-quality new items to save money and obtain better merchandise.
This approach saves money while providing superior products compared to low-quality new alternatives.
2 people, independently
Resist impulse buying triggered by sale notifications; hold back from the 'it's on sale' behavior.
Sale notifications stimulate impulsive buying behavior that one may need to actively resist.
one person who lived it
Consider that shipping from international sources may be cheaper than domestic shipping due to postal rate structures.
International postal rates are irregularly low compared to domestic ones.
one person who lived it
Order directly from sellers whenever possible instead of through Amazon to secure better prices or customer service.
Direct orders often yield lower costs or improved support compared to platform-mediated purchases.
one person who lived it
Ignore the listed original price an item is supposedly discounted from, as it likely never sold at that higher amount.
There is significant manipulation involved in these price comparisons.
one person who lived it
Discard unnecessary items to highlight wasted spending and discourage future purchases.
Removing stuff puts wasted money into perspective, reducing the urge to buy more.
one person who lived it
Calculate repair costs against new prices to determine if buying used broken items is actually cheaper.
one person who lived it
Accept 'good enough' prices if finding the absolute cheapest option requires excessive time or effort.
one person who lived it
Compare prices across multiple international or regional retailers and consider freight forwarding or border shopping for significant savings on big-ticket items.
one person who lived it
Buy bulk dry goods from Asian, Mexican, or large grocery stores to find better prices on ingredients.
one person who lived it
Avoid sellers with restocking fees or difficult return policies, especially if you live in a rural area where returns are costly.
one person who lived it
Consider buying directly from the manufacturer's website, as it may be cheaper.
3 people, independently
Buy rechargeable batteries to avoid constantly worrying about repurchasing them.
4 people, independently

star, reviews, product, indicate19

Read 1-star reviews to identify legitimate product defects or seller issues.
Negative reviews often reveal problems that positive ones hide, and shady sellers typically only fake positive reviews.
- Some 1-star reviews may be emotional rants, complaints about delivery, or based on price rather than the product itself.
6 people, independently
- Check if 1-star reviews cite the same defect repeatedly.3
- Focus on 1- to 3-star reviews to identify consistent complaints and reasonable flaws, while recognizing that some 1-star reviews may be biased rage reviews rather than objective critiques.2
- Read one-star reviews to distinguish valid product flaws from irrelevant personal complaints.2
Focus on 2- to 4-star reviews to understand both the good and bad aspects of a product, ignoring extreme 5-star or 1-star reviews.
1-star reviews often come from people complaining about breakage they caused, while 5-star reviews are often useless unless they contain detailed information.
5 people, independently
- Focus on reading 3-star reviews for balanced pros and cons.4
- Pay attention to 3-star reviews for specific critical details rather than ignoring them.1
- Consider 1-star and 5-star reviews useless if they lack detail, such as being shorter than three paragraphs or fifteen sentences.1
Trust a complaint if multiple reviewers cite the same reasonable flaw.
Consistency across different star ratings suggests a genuine issue worth paying attention to.
2 people, independently
Look for edited reviews or 3-star reviews to gauge long-term durability.
These indicate usage over time rather than just initial impressions.
2 people, independently

9 more on this

Assume that highly rated products with few reviews might have had negative feedback suppressed.
A high average rating with low review count may indicate deleted bad reviews.
one person who lived it
Read negative reviews to identify features that others dislike but you might prefer.
Complaints about specific traits (like fit) may indicate the product suits your unique needs.
one person who lived it
Be cautious with international textbook editions as practice problems and answer keys may differ from US versions.
One user found odd/even problems switched, making homework hard to check; another found answers in the back were wrong or mismatched units.
one person who lived it
Consider 1-star reviews cautiously.
Many complain about shipping errors or missing items rather than product defects.
one person who lived it
Report reviews that are clearly abusive or nonsensical.
It makes the reporter feel better, though the outcome is uncertain.
one person who lived it
Note that some retailers face criticism for firing workers who organize and denying bathroom breaks.
one person who lived it
Ignore inquiries that are poorly written or difficult to read.
They likely indicate a poor sales experience.
one person who lived it
Look for generic sentence structures, grammar errors, or irrelevant vocabulary in reviews.
Fake reviews often share these traits.
3 people, independently
Be skeptical of review analysis services like Fakespot.
They may miss obvious fake reviews or misidentify genuine ones.
one person who lived it

amazon, reviews, products, return28

Order Amazon reviews by newest first to check if current buyers are happy and whether quality has dropped.
Newer entries tend to be more authentic and may highlight issues with recent product batches or manufacturer shifts.
- Top reviews may be fake or old.
4 people, independently
Sign up for Amazon Student Prime to get a free trial and discounted renewal.
It offers six months of Prime for free and allows renewal at half the normal price after that period.
one person who lived it
If a promised refund from Amazon has not appeared after two weeks, contact support again to request it.
One person reported that refunds often do not process until they contact support a second time.
- This is based on one person's experience; results may vary.
one person who lived it
Set up separate Amazon accounts for you and your partner that share the same Prime membership to prevent spoiling gifts.
This prevents seeing each other's purchases and avoids the need to hide items in archived sections.
2 people, independently

22 more on this

Browse products on Amazon to discover brands, then buy directly from the manufacturer's website if you can wait for standard shipping.
Products and shipping are often more expensive on Amazon.
- Use Amazon if you need the item within the week.
one person who lived it
Understand that Vine reviewers receive free products in exchange for reviews, which may bias their opinions.
Reviewers can request products, keep them, and must post a review.
one person who lived it
Verify that the current product matches the listing history, as sellers may change the item while keeping old reviews.
Sellers can switch products (e.g., from Coca-Cola to PlayStations) but retain the review history.
one person who lived it
- Check if a product's manufacturing or specifications have changed, as suppliers may update items without wiping existing reviews.3
Verify that reviews apply to the specific variant or option you are buying.
Amazon often merges reviews for different products sold under the same link.
2 people, independently
Shop at Walmart, Target, or Kohl's for hassle-free returns.
These retailers have very good return policies.
one person who lived it
Plug a USB keyboard into an Amazon Fire TV device to control it without Wi-Fi or a remote.
Amazon Fire devices have an Android core with full keyboard support; ESC returns, Enter selects, and arrow keys navigate.
one person who lived it
Be aware that some sellers attempt to pay reviewers to remove negative feedback.
3 people, independently
- Document instances of sellers attempting to buy reviews by posting photos of correspondence.1
Use Amazon for items that are unavailable locally or more expensive elsewhere.
Some items are completely unavailable locally or much more expensive there.
- Convenience and habit also drive usage.
2 people, independently
For big purchases, use both Fakespot and manual review checks.
Fakespot may over-flag reviews.
one person who lived it
Research expensive products using independent reviews rather than those on the retailer's site.
Reviews on the purchasing site do not constitute thorough research.
one person who lived it
Do not rely exclusively on Amazon reviews; search other sources to find design flaws omitted from the platform.
Amazon reviews may miss obvious issues found elsewhere online.
one person who lived it
Check Amazon Warehouse deals after Prime Week for returned items with minor cosmetic issues.
Returns increase after Prime Week as people return unnecessary stuff.
one person who lived it
Be mindful that Amazon benefits from repeat spending regardless of individual purchase outcomes.
You will likely return to spend more money on their website.
one person who lived it
Pay close attention to shipping costs on Amazon to avoid accidental charges.
The layout may default to paid shipping, requiring vigilance to secure free shipping.
one person who lived it
Consider that price-tracking tools like Honey and CamelCamelCamel may be influenced by commission-based relationships with Amazon.
They work off commissions for links used.
one person who lived it
Research third-party sellers on Amazon to ensure ethical sourcing and quality.
Many items come from third-party sellers who have difficulty controlling quality, and some products may not be ethically sourced.
one person who lived it
Ensure the product has a return option before purchasing.
This allows you to return the item if it proves unsatisfactory.
one person who lived it
Read reviews and conduct due diligence before purchasing consumer electronics instead of buying randomly off the shelf.
There are entire industries dedicated to reviewing these products, providing valuable information for buyers.
one person who lived it
Stop relying on Amazon's promotional deal lists and search elsewhere for better offers or value.
Better offers or values on close substitutes are almost always available elsewhere.
one person who lived it
Install the ClearURLs browser extension to automatically strip tracking parameters from links.
It handles this automatically for many sites beyond just Amazon.
one person who lived it
Be aware that disclosing compensation in reviews can lead to those reviews being denied by Amazon.
one person who lived it
If the school dropdown menu does not appear when signing up for student Prime because autocomplete selected your state, try selecting a different state and then switching back to trigger the list.
one person who lived it

friday, black, deals, discounts27

Be skeptical of Black Friday electronics deals, as manufacturers may design specific inferior variants for these sales.

Ask sales assistants about current deals before Black Friday to find better pre-sale discounts.
One person found a better deal (20% off) during the week than on Black Friday (10% off).
one person who lived it
Avoid shopping on Black Friday entirely.
The discounts on the items sold are often not worth the effort, and equivalent prices can be found between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
3 people, independently
Search for deals around March and May when people may sell items using tax refund money.
People buy new things with tax refunds.
one person who lived it
Verify if a promotion is actually a deal by comparing current prices to past purchases.
Prices may be jacked up before the promo.
one person who lived it

19 more on this

Switch off store Wi-Fi and use mobile data to check online prices while in-store.
Retail networks may restrict access to price comparison sites.
2 people, independently
Thoroughly research and plan your Black Friday shopping in advance to target specific desired items.
Planning allows you to save money on quality products you actually want, such as noise-cancelling headphones or cookware.
one person who lived it
Wait three months after Black Friday to buy non-essential video games for better prices.
Prices typically drop further after this period.
one person who lived it
Shop online instead of going to physical stores to avoid crowds and potentially find better deals.
Online deals can be better than other times of the year and avoids in-store craziness.
2 people, independently
Be skeptical of Black Friday electronics deals, as manufacturers may design specific inferior variants for these sales.
Manufacturers sometimes use gimmicks like including older HDMI ports or omitting audio out ports in Black Friday models.
4 people, independently
- Check the model number of expensive purchases before buying on Black Friday to verify they aren't inferior versions made just for the sale.4
- Avoid televisions marketed as Black Friday doorbusters, as they are often lower-quality models with fewer features and shorter warranties.2
- Verify that electronics are regularly sold models rather than exclusive lower-priced 'Black Friday' versions with inferior specs.1
Use the monthly coupon book mailed to members or available at customer service to track specials.
It tells you about the specials.
one person who lived it
Be aware that retailers may use unique model numbers for Black Friday items to avoid matching competitors' prices.
They claim the item is not the same model despite being identical, preventing price matches.
2 people, independently
Look for additional perks like ad-free options or bundled discounts when buying electronics, even if the headline discount is small.
Additional perks can increase overall savings beyond the initial discount.
one person who lived it
Be wary of misleading sale signage at big chain stores, where items may appear discounted but are actually marked up from their regular price.
- Different stores may have different pricing schemes or incorrect signage kits.
one person who lived it
Understand that some Black Friday deals are loss leaders designed to attract customers into stores.
Retailers hope to make up the loss through additional volume purchases.
one person who lived it
- Treat Black Friday deals as marketing tactics designed to draw you in for upsells rather than genuine savings.1
Track desired items for months in advance before trusting Black Friday discounts.
Long-term tracking ensures the discount is genuine and not a marketing trick.
one person who lived it
Leave items in your online shopping cart while logged into the retailer's website.
This strategy can trigger bonus coupons from the retailer.
one person who lived it
Post items a day before peak demand periods, such as Thursday for weekend pickups.
Posting when people are looking increases visibility.
one person who lived it
Match serial numbers exactly when buying electronics on sale to avoid inferior versions.
Lower quality Black Friday versions of products often have slightly different serial numbers.
one person who lived it
Set your online birthday to January or June/July to avoid months when store-wide sales render birthday coupons useless.
From October through December, nearly everything is already on sale, making birthday discounts essentially useless during that period.
one person who lived it
Cook small Thanksgiving meals over several days leading up to the holiday.
This approach prevents food waste from excessive leftovers and fosters family bonding.
one person who lived it
Check Salvation Army stores for sales on public holidays, including Black Friday.
They do this nationwide for all public holidays.
one person who lived it
Check other retailers' websites to verify if a discounted price is actually competitive.
4 people, independently
Be skeptical of flash sales, as the discounts may be minimal compared to regular prices elsewhere.
one person who lived it

buyers, craigslist, person, meet25

Meet buyers at police department parking lots designated for safe exchanges if available in your area.

Fill out every available field in your Craigslist car listing.
It helps the car appear in specific search results and signals to buyers that you are serious about selling.
- Many people do not read the post thoroughly.
one person who lived it
Search for '-no pets' on Craigslist to find pet-friendly rentals, which yields more results than using the built-in checkboxes.
One person found this method effective in a town with strict landlords.
one person who lived it
Tell each buyer or seller that you are only available for a strict 30-minute window; if they cannot meet within that time, cancel the deal.
Wasting time is a pain, and this discourages flaky people who cannot be on time.
one person who lived it
Hire a realtor to help find rentals, as the landlord pays their commission.
You will not incur any cost because the landlord covers the full commission.
one person who lived it

20 more on this

Do not invite strangers from online classifieds into your home or give them your address; meet in public places instead.
To avoid safety risks such as suspicious surveillance.
one person who lived it
- Meet buyers at a public business location rather than your home to protect your privacy and safety.1
Charge a token fee for giving away pets to ensure the new owner is committed.
It helps verify that the person cares about the animal.
one person who lived it
Include your phone number and details about your transport capabilities (such as having a truck or dolly) in emails for free items to increase response rates.
One person reported getting nearly 3 of 4 items simply by using this email format.
one person who lived it
Tour a rental property before paying for it to verify its existence and neighborhood.
The cost of lodging or travel is worth ensuring the place exists.
one person who lived it
Google the email address used by a Craigslist seller or buyer to check for scams or negative history before proceeding.
It can reveal if the person is located far away or has been involved in scams.
one person who lived it
Disclose all minor problems with an item in the ad to avoid angry responses from buyers who feel deceived.
People are suspicious of good deals on Craigslist and may react negatively if issues are hidden.
one person who lived it
Do not provide a phone's IMEI number to potential buyers before meeting; only reveal it at the carrier store for verification.
People have reported IMEIs as lost/stolen that they do not even have.
one person who lived it
Be polite and helpful to free-item takers, as kindness can lead to reciprocal help in the future.
One person received help moving an appliance from someone they had previously offered extra items to.
one person who lived it
Include the mileage in your car listing.
Missing basic information makes buyers hesitate to visit because they have to email first to ask for it.
one person who lived it
Search potential buyers' names, emails, and phone numbers on Google before meeting.
To judge safety and legitimacy.
one person who lived it
Meet buyers at police department parking lots designated for safe exchanges if available in your area.
- This option is not feasible for large items like appliances or furniture that require moving.
3 people, independently
Do not remove the ad until all items are picked up; include a policy stating the ad will be removed immediately after pickup is complete.
One person experienced a taker leaving with only some items after being told the ad was taken down.
one person who lived it
Be prepared to walk away from a meetup if the buyer lowballs you.
Lowballing is expected at every meetup.
one person who lived it
Hold your phone horizontally when recording fights or chaotic events.
Horizontal footage is more usable for law enforcement or civil suits.
one person who lived it
Avoid buying electronics from unverified marketplaces like eBay or Facebook Marketplace due to the risk of counterfeit goods.
Fake items can look so closely like real ones that even listings claiming to be brand new and unopened may be deceptive.
one person who lived it
Negotiate prices on used items, as sellers often expect buyers to haggle.
I believe you're expected to negotiate.
one person who lived it
Place a rolled-up index card with your name inside the bike's seat post before it is stolen to simplify proving ownership.
It makes proving ownership much easier during recovery.
one person who lived it
Include condition, measurements, reason for selling, and proof of quality in the description.
These details prove the item's value and condition.
one person who lived it
Sell household items you no longer use on Craigslist to clear clutter and generate income.
3 people, independently
Conduct large financial transactions inside a bank lobby for security.
one person who lived it

Try Clancy's hot honey kettle cooked potato chips if you want a highly recommended snack.
One person described them as the best chips they have ever tasted.
one person who lived it
Consider Aldi's versions of Girl Scout Samoas and Thin Mints as delicious alternatives, noting that some prefer other store brands for specific flavors.
Many consider them equal to or better than the originals.
- Some prefer HEB's fudge mint cookies, which use real peppermint oil.
2 people, independently
Try Hydrox cookies as an alternative to Oreos, noting they are the original and considered superior by some.
Hydrox are the original cookie and some find them far superior despite Oreo's market share.
one person who lived it

Do not rely solely on tools like Fakespot; instead, read the newest reviews and manually filter out those that appear fake.
Automated tools may only partially work.
one person who lived it
Use compressed air to clean computer fans and heatsinks to remove dust that causes overheating and random reboots.
Dust buildup causes overheating, which leads to random reboots.
one person who lived it