bargain Archives

Bin stores: Hidden shops full of Amazon, Target, Walmart and Wayfair returns

I went to a bin store the other day. I bought a completely sealed two-foot by two-foot box for $10. Inside my mystery box were four pairs of men’s black socks, a cat bell, two potato peelers, an iPhone stand and a Dallas Cowboys women’s shirt that I got a kick out of. Someone must have made a snap decision to return that.

Ever heard of bin stores? They’re like the Wild West of retail — usually small and independently run — with some junk and deals you won’t believe. The neatest part is where they get all this stuff. Bin stores hawk returned items from Amazon, Target, Walmart, you name it, along with liquation and overstock inventory.

How do you find bin store stuff?

There are many methods, so pick your favorite.

Good ol’ Google: Search phrases like “bin stores near me” or “Amazon return stores.” They have a ton of names, so you can also try Amazon bin stores, liquidation bin stores or bargain bin stores.
Facebook Marketplace: If you want to shop from home, many store owners list their treasures here. Look for listings that scream warehouse deal — usually, they use stock photos or warehouse backdrops.
Social sleuthing: Get your detective hat on and dive into Instagram. Bin store hauls are all the rage on social, and you might stumble upon a store near you through a hashtag or two.
Local listings: Check out BinStoreFinder, lifestyle blogger Kaitlin Madden’s site or more local options like WhereYaBin.
Reddit recon: Reddit can be a surprising source for bin store locations. Simple searches like “Bin store [your state]” can lead you to treasure.

Remember, it’s an adventure!

You’ll find everything from brand-new items with tiny flaws to overstock treasures. But be smart. Some items might be damaged, and there’s probably some counterfeit junk in the mix. If it’s something electronic, ask if you can plug it in to try it out.

Pro tip: Check with your local stores on pricing because they tend to offer discounts on certain days of the week. You should also ask when their inventory comes in and prepare yourself for a line out the door!

Clever shopping ‘research project’ scam is back – Don’t fall for it

Everybody loves a good bargain, and what can be better than getting paid to go shopping?

Not so fast. Scammers use a variety of tricks to steal your information or load malware onto your device. Well, they’re at it once again.

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SPF for your BFF (Beautiful Friendly Face)

As an Arizonan, I know a thing or two about sunscreen. Here’s my best tip: Wear it every day. Slather it on your face, ears and hands, minimum — any exposed skin. Here are my faves for any price point.

Bargain: Grab this two-pack of SPF 50 Banana Boat spray sunscreen ($13.62) to keep your skin safe and your hands clean. It’s sweat- and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes and feels nice and light. It goes on super easily and even cools you off a little as you put it on. Pshhh! (Spray sound.)
Midrange: On your face, any sunscreen is better than no sunscreen, but if you want to treat yourself, this cream from Coola ($25.84) is SPF 50, fragrance-free and has antioxidants. It feels a little like a serum when you first put it on, then it melts into your skin without a white cast.
Splurge: Until you look at the price per ounce! Turns out, the main reason people don’t wear sunscreen is that greasy feeling — so Supergoop! invented one that absorbs super fast. Put this massive jug ($68, or $3.78 per fluid ounce) by the door to remind you to put it on — it’ll last you the whole summer.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Where to buy Amazon goods for cheap

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Everything’s so expensive nowadays. What if you could find all the tech products you want at a bargain price? Surprise: you can!

Auctions were his bid-ness: Evan James Coker in Oklahoma turned a government auction site into his personal bargain bin. He bid thousands like a high roller, then hacked the prices down to a dollar at checkout. The feds weren’t amused, and now he’s guilty of wire fraud for his $150,000 web heist.

Don't be fooled! Fake Netflix apps are spreading malware

Everybody loves a good bargain, coupon or discount code. But it has once again become clear that you can’t trust everything you find online or receive in a text message.

There are plenty of fake apps and services that will do nothing but steal your details, and it’s getting worse. Criminals responsible are becoming craftier, spoofing real websites and services and loading them with malware. Tap or click here for details on spoofing.

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5 houses for sale right now you won't believe cost less than $100K

Finding the perfect home can take a while. Especially if you have specific requirements, the search could lead to you looking at houses far and wide. But usually, the first thing that potential homeowners take into consideration is price.

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Best smart bulbs

You don’t need to spend an arm and a leg to make your house (and your lighting) a little smarter. I found options for any budget. Seriously, one is under $5.

High end: Wait, $29.97 for two lightbulbs? People do it gladly when it’s the Philips Hue. These top-of-the-line smart bulbs have a stellar glow. Control them with Alexa, Google Assistant or the Hue app.
Bargain: Give the smart bulb a whirl with a basic Alexa-compatible bulb from Sengled. At 61% off ($3.93), it’s a total steal.
Nightlight: The Echo Glow is a multicolor smart lamp that works with Alexa and makes a perfect nightlight. And right now, it’s 33% off ($19.99).

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

What Amazon Prime really costs

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At $139/year, it still a bargain? Let’s unpack the real cost of Prime and if it’s worth your money.