20 savings hacks at Marshalls, TJ Maxx and Ross

The thrill of getting a good deal is what motivates shoppers to comb through racks at discount retailers like Marshalls, T.J.Maxx and Ross Dress for Less. You can save up to 60 percent off retail prices for clothing and home goods at these stores. Check out these 20 shopping hacks to get the most for your dollar at Marshalls, T.J.Maxx and Ross.

How to Save Money at Marshalls, T.J.Maxx and Ross

1. Buy Discounted Gift Cards for Each Retailer

Gift card exchange websites like Gift Card Granny or Cardpool.com frequently sell gift cards for these retailers at a 15 or 20 percent discount.

2. Follow Marshalls, T.J.Maxx and Ross on Social Media

Follow each store on Facebook and Instagram to see product features and styling suggestions. You’ll also be the first to learn about upcoming deals, giveaways and more.

Post your own Marshalls finds on Instagram with the hashtag #fabfound for a chance to be regrammed. Share your Maxx Life Stories with T.J.Maxx for a chance to win a $1,000 shopping spree and be featured on its Tumblr page. Participate in giveaways with Ross.

How to Save Money at Marshalls

3. Look for Yellow Tags

The yellow tag signifies that a product has been marked down as low as it will go.

4. Shop in January and July

During these months, stores need to clear out inventory to make room for new seasonal items. In January, you can find holiday items, gifts and decorations, and in July, you can find swimwear, pool accessories, outdoor decor and other summer items all at lower prices.

5. Look for Purple Tags

Purple tags are found on items that were featured on the runway during Fashion Week. They might not be as cheap as some red tag items, but you’ll get a great price for a current trend that would have been expensive at full price.

6. Buddy Up With an Employee or Manager

You probably won’t have to buy them dinner, but if you’re nice and patient and ask the right questions, you could get insider information about when new shipments come in, when markdowns are made and when sales start and end.

7. Get to the Store Early

Because inventory is processed and pushed to the floor either in the evening after doors close or in the morning before they open, it’s smart to arrive early for first picking of the new stuff.

8. Visit the Store Often

New shipments come as often as every day, and inventory tends to sell quickly. Ask an associate for details on new arrivals.

How to Save Money at T.J.Maxx

9. Find Steep Discounts at the End of Each Season

Stores must clear out inventory in preparation for the new season’s arrivals.

10. Become a TJX MasterCard Holder

When you are approved, you can get 10 percent off your first online purchase with the card, and you’ll get additional benefits and special shopping hours that allow you to snag deals before everyone else.

11. Shop at Other Retailers to Earn Points on Your TJX MasterCard

Members earn one point for every dollar spent at any retailer that accepts MasterCard and five points for every dollar spent at T.J.Maxx, Marshalls, Home Goods, Sierra Trading Post and tjmaxx.com. Once 1,000 points are earned, you receive a $10 reward certificate.

Those points add up quickly, especially if you use your credit card for gas, groceries and other shopping.

12. Call Ahead to Find Out If Something’s in Stock

Call the store ahead of time to see if the product or brand you want is in stock. Some stores either sell out or don’t carry that item, so it saves you time (and gas money) to verify the item is available.

13. Inspect All Items for Imperfections

If a product is damaged or defective, ask for an additional discount. Sometimes, associates are willing to reduce the price if there is a defect and the product hasn’t been marked down yet.

For example, some clothing is marked with makeup or deodorant after being tried on, or it has a small snag or a broken zipper that could be fixed with a good wash or some basic sewing skills. A vase or plate might have a small chip, or a journal could have a torn page. Those small flaws could save you extra cash.

14. Keep Your Eye Out for Yellow Tag Sales

They typically occur at the beginning of the year (January-February) and in the middle of the year (July-August), but dates might differ by store.

15. Learn the Codes

“Sign up for its newsletter to get access to exclusive offerings,” said Kristen, a RetailMeNot representative. You can get free shipping on tjmaxx.com orders worth $75 with the code SHIP75, she said.

How to Save Money at Ross

16. But It Now

If you find something you love, don’t wait to buy it. It might be gone tomorrow. Off-price stores like Ross, Marshalls and T.J.Maxx have high traffic and inventory turnover. If you put an item back on the shelf thinking you’ll come back for it tomorrow, your chances of finding it again are low.

17. Dig Around

Stores can sometimes be disorganized because items get put back in the wrong spot. Be willing to dig in different size sections. You might find the perfect medium sweater hiding among the larges.

18. Compare Goods to Department Stores

Find the same in-season items at Ross that you would find at Macy’s, Nordstrom and other department stores. If a manufacturer produces 60,000 pairs of jeans, but Macy’s only buys 50,000, the manufacturer sells the remaining inventory to Ross at a deep discount. Same product, lower price.

19. Shop at More Than One Location

What you’ll find on any given day might differ at another location. Some stores specialize in certain departments. Some have more designer labels. And some are high-traffic and picked over. Get to know your local stores and learn which stores — and when — to visit for the best deals.

20. Browse Clearance Items

Many customers assume that if an item made it to clearance, it must be damaged, out of style or otherwise undesirable. That’s not necessarily true. Check the clearance rack for any diamonds in the rough. You might find a designer handbag or the perfect shirt for a work meeting.

From GoBankingRates.com: 20 Savings Hacks at Marshalls, T.J.Maxx and Ross