TIPS AND TRICKS

Both Shameeka Ayers and Jessica Dauler keep a few handy tips and tricks in their shopping bags when going after sales.

Be patient

Ayers, who admits she rarely pays full price for items, is a self-proclaimed sale stalker. She’ll keep an eye on an item until it goes on sale and scours newspaper and online coupons in hope of scoring an additional discount.

Go online

Dauler recommends going online because store Web sites often have the same and sometimes better discounts. And you might find a wider selection of sizes. Ayers signs up for department store newsletters online.

Signing up, she says, can be “worth its weight in gold.” Both Filene’s Basement and Saks Fifth Avenue’s outlet store, Off Fifth, offer great coupons, she says.

Hit the racks

Go straight to the clearance racks, Dauler says. It takes some time, but the investment can unveil treasures that may surprise you. If additional discounts apply, make sure you have that calculator handy.

Network

Social networking tools are good ways to stay on top of sales. Ayers suggests Twitter.com. Not only do consumers write about sales on Twitter, but department stores post info, too, she says.

According to Ayers, retailers including TJ Maxx and Loehmann’s often announce private sales and new inventory through Twitter. Dauler’s site, JessicaShops.com, provides shopping tips, the latest sale information and discount offers.