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Shopping for home decor can get expensive and repetitive. It can sometimes feel like five different stores are carrying the same exact couch, lamp, or vase. If you love nothing more than the element of surprise when it comes to shopping for home goods, and you don’t want to break the bank–because furniture and rugs aren’t cheap–HomeGoods is one of the best home store options imaginable.
But even great shops that offer amazing shopping experiences can be made better when you have a few clever shopping tricks up your sleeve.
HomeGoods is one of few major national store chains that doesn’t have an e-commerce shopping site. That little fact is kind of sweet because nothing is more fun than browsing HomeGoods on a random Thursday just to see what new merchandise they’ve scored. However, shopping in store will require a little more planning and knowledge.
Here are four life-changing HomeGoods shopping hacks every shopper should know:
1. HomeGoods Has An App & You Need To Download It ASAP
So, maybe you can’t sit on your couch and order a gorgeous bronze pitcher with matching margarita glasses from HomeGoods’ website, but that doesn’t mean it’s totally turned off from tech. HomeGoods has an app that you need right this minute if you are a faithful shopper.
After creating a profile and adding your store locations, the app shows you the latest and greatest merchandise to arrive at those stores. The minute you see something you like, make a plan to visit your store and scoop it up before it’s gone.
Unfortunately, you can’t reserve an item via the app (if only), but it’s worth giving your store a call and asking them to hold the piece for you that day. You can use the app to upload gift cards and TJX Rewards certificates wherever you roam. And if you’re a fan of how HomeGoods employees style its merch, the app also provides styling inspirations and tips, as well as an in-depth look at all of the season’s latest trends.
2. Always Ask For A Markdown If An Item Is Damaged
Most of the time, the merchandise you find at HomeGoods is in tip-top shape. But on occasion, you may come across a chair with a few nicks on the legs or a bench with slightly worn fabric. Even if the item is already located in the marked-down aisle (and definitely spend some time perusing the sales aisle because you’ll be shocked at how many affordable treasures you’ll find), ask a sales associate for a discount on the damaged item.
Of course, the only way this trick will work is if you take your time and study the item you love to check for any flaws. Or, better yet, enlist the help of a trusted friend, who we’re pretty sure won’t mind spending a few hours hanging out and shopping in HomeGoods.
3. Don’t Shop On The Weekends
We know, weekdays are busy and you'd probably much rather shop at HomeGoods on a Saturday afternoon, despite the large crowds, to find the armchair of your dreams. But if you’re in this to win it (and by “win it” we mean you want to score the newest, most unique items delivered to the store), the best time to shop is earlier in the day and on the weekdays.
Most HomeGoods stores receive new shipments every other day at night, according to House Beautiful, so you can expect to have better luck shopping on Wednesday or Thursday at noon then you will on a Sunday night.
4. Save Your Receipts
If you do nothing else when shopping at HomeGoods, do this: stash your receipts in a drawer and leave them there. Or at least until you’re positively sure you can live with that aqua and gold lamp in your living room.
HomeGoods has a strict 30-day return policy where you will be refunded the original cost of your item, but that’s only if you have a receipt on hand. If you don’t have the receipt and it’s within 30 days you will be refunded for the cost of time item on the day you return it. And knowing how often HomeGoods slashes the prices of its merchandise, you’re going to want that receipt.
