Poll: Do you buy gifts on clearance?

JCM083009 · July 2009

I am curious how many people often buy gifts on clearance. I am not sure why, but I always thought it was not usually supposed to be done. I don't mean getting something with a coupon or something weird, but more where something is super old and marked down to practically nothing. I don't know- I love buying stuff like that for myself, but I'm not sure I could give it as a gift... mostly b/c I think I'd be embarrassed if the receiver tried to return it and was either not able to b/c the item(s) was so old or received like $1.99 back for items that are normally way more than that.

Thoughts on this?

[Poll]

jenna0627 · July 2009

I guess it kind of depends. For example I have had a TON of baby showers to go to in the last year. Whenever I am out and I see something super cute marked down, like a pack of onesies or cute outfit I grab it. They are great to throw in with with a gift that might need something else to go with.

AMYfromKY · July 2009

Other. When I am buying a gift for someone I usually have a set amount I am going to spend. If I find something on clearance I will get it, but I will also get another gift(s) to get to the amount I am willing to spend.

afg · July 2009

If the item is something that the recipient really wants and it's good quality then what does it matter if it was on clearance? I don't think price should matter.

BlairWaldorf · July 2009

jenna0627:
I guess it kind of depends. For example I have had a TON of baby showers to go to in the last year. Whenever I am out and I see something super cute marked down, like a pack of onesies or cute outfit I grab it. They are great to throw in with with a gift that might need something else to go with.

I do this.

I always give a good gift off the registry, then pair it with a cute little outfit.

LexiNemecek · July 2009

I can't really think of a specific time I've bought a gift that was on clearance - but I''ve probably done it. Almost every wedding I've been to lately I get their gift from Bed, Bath and Beyond and use a 20% off coupon...

monicalynn1979 · July 2009

AMYfromKY:
Other. When I am buying a gift for someone I usually have a set amount I am going to spend. If I find something on clearance I will get it, but I will also get another gift(s) to get to the amount I am willing to spend.

Same here

Jessie0706 · July 2009

afg:
If the item is something that the recipient really wants and it's good quality then what does it matter if it was on clearance?? I don't think price should matter.

This!?

efortune · July 2009

AMYfromKY:
Other. When I am buying a gift for someone I usually have a set amount I am going to spend. If I find something on clearance I will get it, but I will also get another gift(s) to get to the amount I am willing to spend.

Ditto this. I have a set amount I am willing to spend when I go to buy gifts. Clearance items arnt all old and nasty, they can just be discontinued products that are great deals. I would think it is more rude to return said gift and be upset someone bought something clearance/wasnt as much money as I expected. I would say the person disappointed should be more embarassed by thier reaction than the person who went out of thier way to get the person of honor a gift that they were able to afford.

nofreespeeches · July 2009

afg:
If the item is something that the recipient really wants and it's good quality then what does it matter if it was on clearance? I don't think price should matter.

this x fafillion. and if anyone ever said anything to me about buying stuff on clearance that they wanted i would tell them they were a snot.

AllisonLeigh · July 2009

I will especially if it means getting a nicer gift than I originally planned because it is on sale or clearance. Or I will get another gift to equal the amount I originally planned on spending

JCM083009 · July 2009

Thanks for the input! Everything you've all said, I agree as well in all the cases mentioned. None are quite the situation I was picturing, so I think we're all on the same page.

2007wife · July 2009

reminds me of a funny story... I use to work at banana Republic. Well this woman came in with a shirt that she said her friend had just given her for her birthday. She didn't have a receipt. The manage remembered the shirt and knew it was not from the current season or even a recent season.The woman insisted it was a new shirt. So he looked up the code and found the season and price. It was from 3 yrs ago and the current price was $1.99. The woman was mortified.

suscq · July 2009

JCM083009:
Thanks for the input! Everything you've all said, I agree as well in all the cases mentioned. None are quite the situation I was picturing, so I think we're all on the same page.

If I found something (that they wanted) that usually costs $20 and it was on clearance for $2, I would buy it. But I wouldn't give them just the $2 gift and pass it off as a $20 gift. I'd just add in something else with it.

CalinsBride · July 2009

I do. I buy just about everything on clearance. I'm not going to buy someone something crappy just because its on sale, but I am a good bargain hunter and I can find something that's on sale AND a good gift.

JCM083009 · July 2009

suscq:
JCM083009:
Thanks for the input! Everything you've all said, I agree as well in all the cases mentioned. None are quite the situation I was picturing, so I think we're all on the same page.

If I found something (that they wanted) that usually costs $20 and it was on clearance for $2, I would buy it. But I wouldn't give them just the $2 gift and pass it off as a $20 gift. I'd just add in something else with it.

Ok this is more what I was talking about! Except the $2 wasn't even something they wanted. I just wanted to see what others thought and if it was okay to do that...like as long as I added to it or whatnot, etc.

JCM083009 · July 2009

2007wife:
reminds me of a funny story... I use to work at banana Republic. Well this woman came in with a shirt that she said her friend had just given her for her birthday. She didn't have a receipt. The manage remembered the shirt and knew it was not from the current season or even a recent season.The woman insisted it was a new shirt. So he looked up the code and found the season and price. It was from 3 yrs ago and the current price was $1.99. The woman was mortified.

This. Exactly. This is what I'd be afraid of in doing something like this (esp more so with clothes I think).

Mrs.Expchic · July 2009

My MIL works in retail and picks up clearance clearance clearance items for us all year long and give them to us for Xmas. I am the proud owner of of a reindeer bar set, moose salt and pepper shakers, and a giant sombrero that you serve chips and dip in. Call me ungrateful but I'd rather her save her money.

mamaofliam · July 2009

I wouldn't just find something ugly and give it because it was inexpensive. If something was on clearance that is cute, absolutely I would buy it!

I would think that if a friend got offended for you buying a gift on clearance, they are not my kind of friend. If I give a gift, I try to get something nice. If buying something on clearance allows me to give more than I would have been able to give otherwise, absolutely! I am on a budget here and if they have a problem with my paying $2 for something originally marked for $20, that is their problem and I shouldn't have wasted my friendly gesture on them.

soontobejesseng · July 2009

Why not? I just bought my mom $640 of her china for $64 today.

TiffanyHenning · July 2009

I am happy with any gift I receive. Especially in this economy. If someone can only afford a $2 gift and they are lucky enough to find something on clearance that meets their budget, why complain.

lsopranop · July 2009

AMYfromKY:
Other. When I am buying a gift for someone I usually have a set amount I am going to spend. If I find something on clearance I will get it, but I will also get another gift(s) to get to the amount I am willing to spend.

This.

jmkirste · July 2009

AMYfromKY:
Other. When I am buying a gift for someone I usually have a set amount I am going to spend. If I find something on clearance I will get it, but I will also get another gift(s) to get to the amount I am willing to spend.

This exactly!

Gen Devine · July 2009

If I see an item I know the recipent will like, then yes, I buy it. My best friend has crazy funky tastes - such as a collection of hindu-buddist type statues - and when I find one on clearance I pick it up and stash it for the next gift-event.

Also, small generic gifts (such as bath stuff, nice candles, baby shower type gifts, etc) I will pick up on clearance and save for when I need them. If they're nice quality items it shouldn't matter what I paid - I tend to shop the cleanance bins in expensive stores.

dle927 · July 2009

I think if it's a gift that someone would appreciate then yes, and I would also buy something else in addition.

I have friends, however, that buy a bunch of stuff right after Christmas with no regard of who will get what item. The next Christmas they just start putting like items together and give it to someone. I hate it! At least have someone in mind when you purchase something or it's not worth buying.

jmj715 · July 2009

I think it's ok, especially if it's something off of their registry. Usually if I get a really good deal on something, I'll add it as part of a bigger combination of gifts, to end up spending a reasonable amount.

karelaorange · July 2009

Sometimes if I get something on clearance I won't include a gift receipt (it's my way of saying it's not worth their effort to return it). I'm not offended if they regift it, though! I would generally only do this for generic presents (like candles or gift baskets I've put together), or if I know it's something the person has been looking for. Anything else I would probably avoid getting something on clearance.

Poll: Do you buy gifts on clearance?

Re: Poll: Do you buy gifts on clearance?

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