Score Unadvertised Specials From 40 Merchants

Score Unadvertised Specials From 40 Merchants: "Score Unadvertised Specials From 40 Merchants"

Unadvertised specials are unadvertised and semi-hidden from public view for a reason:
• Merchants want to reward loyal shoppers.
• They want to encourage return visits to their websites.
• They want us to register for email notifications that include details of special offers.

We love learning about these deals because they provide us with a leg-up on other shoppers. The fewer people who know about a sale, the better our chances of actually closing the deal at a cut-rate price.

So off the record, on the QT and very hush hush, here's how you can take advantage of unadvertised specials regularly offered by 40 major merchants.

1. Aeropostale
You've got to dig deep on Aéropostale's website to find their unadvertised specials. Here's how: From the casual-clothing merchant's home page, click on "New Arrivals" and select girls or guys. Look for "Aéro Deals" then the "What's Hot Now" offer. Most deals land in the 50-percent off range and can be purchased using Aéropostale free shipping codes.

2. Amazon
There's a little ubiquitous button at the top of Amazon's website that's easy to ignore among the rest of the merchant's bells and whistles. Look for the "Today's Deals" button then search for "Deal of the Day." The day I checked, Amazon offered a 4.5-starred $169.99 Logitech speaker system for $89.99.

Just to the right of the DOTD is a box for "Lightening Deals" with a count-down clock. Deals change several times per day with a limited number available. You have to be quick on the click as the merchandise moves very fast.

3. American Eagle
Sign up at ae.com to receive Aerie emails notifying you of unadvertised special offers available only to subscribers. You'll also be the first to see the latest styles and learn about events and store openings in your area. American Eagle free shipping coupons make sure more of those savings stay in your pocket.

4. Barnes & Noble
The book merchant offers six deals on its website every day on adult and children's books, DVDs, CDs, magazine subscriptions and posters. Savings range anywhere from 33-percent to 85-percent off. Naturally, we recommend using Barnes and Noble free shipping codes when you cash in on major savings.

5. Bed Bath & Beyond
Check the merchant's home page for "Clearance Items." You'll find three-per-day extra-special featured items that sure are cute. Remember you can use Bed Bath & Beyond free shipping codes when you shop the merchant's online store.

6. Best Buy
Look under the "Shops & Deals" tab each week at BestBuy.com to find online-only sales, Best Buy free shippingdeals and exclusive offers.

7. Cabela's
The "World's Foremost Outfitter" may still distribute the World's Largest Catalog, but they also feature a small number of unadvertised specials on their website under the "Bargain Cave" tab. Of the five featured items advertised in early October, I was most impressed by the fancy Remington knife with a price slashed nearly in half -- from $89.99 to $44.88. Make sure you take advantage of a Cabelas free shipping offer to keep your prices low when shopping the outfitting outlet.

8. Costco
Learn about sales before they're advertised without registering for emails or a newsletter. Visit Costco.com, click on "In the Warehouse" in the top-right corner and open the page for your region. You'll find a listing of upcoming sales for the Costco in your city so you can plan ahead.

9. CVS/Pharmacy
Check the merchant's website at cvs.com each week for special online-only deals. The week I visited, the drugstorewas offering 30-percent off all house-brand products, which makes for quite a pile of unadvertised savings. You can also sign up to receive emails and learn about even more special offers and exclusive savings.

10. Dell
Another major merchant, another major daily deal. Look on the Dell.com home page under "Dell Deals." While the unadvertised specials are only good for a day or two, they're certainly worth checking out as you can save roughly $100 to $200 on best-selling computers, televisions, mobile phones and related accessories. Check out Dell free shipping codes to make sure Dell savings don't end up paying to deliver the electronics to your home.

11. Disney Store
Trust the Wonderful World of Disney to have a "Tink's Treasure Deal of the Week." Available both in-store and online, these unadvertised specials will make your fairy-loving children smile. One magical offer included a personalized fleece throw blanket, featuring your tiny fan's favorite Disney character, for $12.50 (regularly $19.50).

12. Dick's Sporting Goods
Buried under the Dick's "Clearance Page" is their "Going, Going, Gone!" shop, featuring the lowest possible prices on merchandise that's "on its way out the door." Right now I'm lusting after a pair of Nike Shox Vision athletic shoes in white and crimson, priced at $59.97 (originally $109.97), available with Dick's Sporting Goods free shipping and free return shipping. (So what if they're men's shoes. I can stuff the toes with socks on sale from Dick's.)

13. Express
Register for Express emails and you'll receive notification of unadvertised specials and promotions, along with notification of first-to-see new arrivals, Express free shipping offers and 15-percent off your first purchase.

14. Foot Locker
U.S. Active-Duty Military, National Guard, Reserves, Veterans and their families with Foot Locker Veterans Advantage Cards receive a 20-percent discount every day of the year. That offer is good both online and at any store location, including Foot Locker, Lady Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Footaction and Champs Sports, even for sale items. Foot Locker doesn't brag about this offer but you can register by clicking here.

15. GameStop
Power to the players! (That's GameStop talking. Not me.) The tiny "Daily Deal" square on the merchant's home page allows you to finally buy Dead Rising for 50-percent off with every purchase of Dead Rising 2. At least GameStop free shipping will help keep your spirits alive.

16. Gap
Click on "Store Offers" at the Gap home page and a pop-up box reveals in-store-only offers, such as 40-percent off your entire purchase for one day only. Can't make it to a brick-and-mortar store? You'll still find great online promos at Gap.com available with Gap free shipping coupon codes.

17. Hanes
"Daily Deals" are the online way to go. Hanes offers limited-time deals for men, women and kids, such as girls' cotton briefs in packages of three for just $3.99 (originally $5) available, when you qualify, with Hanes free shipping, of course.

18. HobbyTron
This is not your normal hobby website. For example, HobbyTron's top engineers used alien technology to craft a flying UFO for just $11.99 (originally $25) as a "Weekly Deal." (Hunt for the button at the very bottom of the left-hand menu.) I'd return to HobbyTron.com's "Weekly Deal" page just to watch what these wild-and-crazy geeks come up with next.

19. Hy-Vee
This grocery chain is found in just eight Midwestern states, but they've figured out the attraction of unadvertised specials. Visit hy-vee.com and click on "Weekly Ad" to find the merchant's "Online Exclusive Ad." Prices listed are good for one day to one week, such as $1 for a 4-pack of Angel Soft Bathroom Tissue.

20. Jos. A. Bank
Talk about things that make you go WOW! One of Jos. A. Bank's "Deals of the Day" in early October was a 25-inch black Pullman roll-on bag for just $97 (originally $475). Matching pieces included a 29-inch bag, marked down from $550 to $159, and a black rolling garment bag, marked down from $500 to $149. That's three pieces of quality luggage for $405, all available with Joseph A Banks free shipping codes.

21. Just My Size
Sign up to receive JMS email updates including web-exclusive sales, sneak previews, latest styles and unadvertised special offers. Visit the JMS "Customer Service" page to register and take advantage of Just My Size free shippingoffers.

22. Kroger
Sign up at customer.kroger.com to receive weekly emails listing unadvertised offers, coupons and more. You can also download the coupons to your Kroger Plus Card for use in the store. No clipping required.

23. The Limited
Become a Limited Insider by signing up for emails notifications of unadvertised offers like special The Limited free shipping, invitation-only sales and exclusive discounts.

24. L.L. Bean
Visit the L.L. Bean website, click on the "Sale" and go to "Daily Markdown." Each day the clothing and outdoor-recreation supply store features a truly excellent sale, like an insulated, lighted hunting cap marked down from $39.95 to just $19.99.

25. Meijer
The merchant's daily "Big Steal" deals truly are steals. The Oct. 7 special was a two-pack of Sennheiser in-ear headphones, regularly $29.99, on sale for $13.99. The home page includes a timed countdown letting consumers know exactly how many hours, minutes and seconds they have left to steal the unadvertised deal.

26. Newegg.com
From the technology clearing house's home page, look for the orange egg labeled "Shell Shocker." Click through to find excellent deals that last until supplies run out -- often very rapidly. Most Shell Shockers come with Newegg free shipping. Don't leave until you sign up for the Newegg newsletter. You'll learn about unadvertised weekly savings on the merchant's hottest products, new product releases, 24-hour sales, and information on sweepstakes and giveaways.

27. Office Depot
The Office Depot Store Purchasing Card ensures cardholders receive the the lowest possible price, but you must be a contract client to register for the card.

28. Omaha Steaks
Warning: Visiting this meaty homepage will make you drool, but if you can get past the pictures of gourmet steaks, you'll find the "Deal of the Day" listed in the top-left corner. The day I visited, Omaha Steaks offered 16 5-ounce gourmet burgers for just $24.99 (originally $53.99). Omaha Steaks free shipping includes plenty of dry ice and a reusable, insulated cooler.

29. Oriental Trading
It takes some patience and quick clicking to find the trading company's specials. Check out the rapid-cycling flash tabs on the merchant's home page until you find the boxes labeled "Featured Product" and click through for more details. Specials change according to the season, focusing on holidays, party themes, craft and hobby supplies, teaching supplies, and toys and novelties. Some Oriental Trading free shipping coupons include additional savings, but move that mouse fast!

30. Overstock.com
Register to receive monthly O-mail exclusives and unadvertised discounts, coupons and promotions. Save by usingOverstock free shipping codes for popular items like home decor, appliances, electronics, sporting goods, clothing and shoes.

31. PetSupplies.com
Through weekly emails you'll receive access to unadvertised deals on all your favorite products. PetSupplies.comalso distributes emails that offer free gifts and percent-off deals on your entire order.

32. Pro Flowers
The online flower shop includes three special offers buried deep in its site. Click on "Specials" then "Flower Discounts & Specials." Hunt on this Pro Flowers page for three extra-special unadvertised deals labeled "Grower's Choice," "Premium Grower's Choice" and "Birthday Grower's Choice." All three offer exceptional deals, like the mix of roses, tulips, lilies, iris and other beauties marked down from $29.99 to $19.99 for a "Grower's Choice" special.

33. Rite Aid
The chain pharmacy devotes an entire web page to unadvertised specials in four departments: Beauty, health care, food and general merchandise. From riteaid.com, click on "In Our Stores" then "Unadvertised Specials." The day I looked, Rite Aid was offering the 20 Minute Wrinkle Free Eyes Kit for just $9.99 (originally $37.49). Kids Original Fluoride Toothpaste from Burt's Bees was $1 off, at $3.99.

34. Sam's Club
Prices are already pretty low at the Sam's Club website, but their "Last Chance Buys" section offers some amazing deals, like a five-piece outdoor dining set for $549 (originally $749) with free shipping guaranteed. Granted, this isn't the optimum time to buy a patio set, but that's the whole point of such a big sale.

35. Sierra Trading Post
Here's one online "Deal of the Day" I found mighty tempting: A pair of Thinsulated, pig-suede gloves from Jacob Ash, originally priced at $34.99 and on sale for just $7.95. My fingers warmed up at the very thought of slipping into these 4.5-star-rated hand warmers, purchased with Sierra Trading Post free shipping codes to truly appreciate the discount. From the home page click on "Barn Burners" to find the merchant's "Deal of the Day" section.

36. Toys "R" Us
Register for emails with details on unadvertised specials found only at Toys "R" Us, Babies "R" Us and toysrus.com.

37. TravelSmith
The one-stop shop for travel and gear offers an online "Sale of the Day" on select items, like the ever-useful Women's Tea-Length Travel Dress for $79 (originally $99). Although the dress was only available in black, what woman doesn't need a basic black dress for frequent flying? Some offers are available with TravelSmith free shipping codes and can be combined with cut-rate prices from their online outlet store.

38. Victoria's Secret
Stay in touch and in style with unadvertised online and in-store sales by registering for email updates at the merchant's website. You'll receive notifications of Victorias Secret free shipping offers, in-store events and new fashion, lingerie and beauty alerts.

39. We Got Soccer
Instead of product specials, this everything-soccer merchant offers across-the-board "Deal of the the Month" coupon discounts, good, when you qualify, for their standard We Got Soccer free shipping codes.

40. Wine.com
Join WineShopper for exclusive access to limited-time offers from the online retailer's massive selection of wines starting at $9.99. You'll also receive auto-alerts from Wine.com when the next deal hits the website, so you can be first in line.


TWO UNADVERTISED, UNADVERTISED SPECIALS

41. Bank Rates
RateNerd.com finds the best unadvertised CD rates, mortgage rates and bank deals available each day. Register to receive their daily deal via email, RSS, or Twitter. You'll get RateNerd's latest find on money-market rates, high-yield savings, certificates of deposit, mortgage refinance and other bank-rate offers.

42. Video Games
CheapAssGamer.com hunts down unadvertised specials at major game retailers and aggregates them on their home page. The day I dropped by, Cheap Ass Gamer was promoting an unadvertised Best Buy offer of $19.99 for the Bayonetta game, usually $29.99.