I’ve always said that paying full price is for suckers, and it’s true.  There are so many different ways to pay less than the marked price, or at least avoid paying taxes on your items.

This is a comprised list of easy (and legal) ways to avoid paying retail for anything you buy ever again.

• Sign up for mailing lists.  Many shops offer a discount (usually about 10%) on your next purchase if you sign up for their news blasts.  Companies use these lists to provide offers for shipping and discount codes to customers that may not be available to all potential customers.    If you don’t want to actually receive the mail outs, set up a special email account just for these list.

• Check discount outlets and liquidators before large retailers.  Always check shops like Winners and Maynards first before venturing into boutiques.  They get overstock, stock from closing businesses and they all want the items gone fast, and fast means discounted.

• Know your retailer’s competitors.  Whether the have a posted guarantee to match prices or not, always ask if they will meet a posted price of a product.  I’ve done this successfully before at sunglass shops on Robson street when inquiring about US prices on identical products. You can’t waffle if you’re going to take this avenue – you have to be willing to walk if they don’t give in to a price match.

• Always complete feedback surveys.  Just like mailing lists, feedback surveys usually provide a discount code for a next purchase.

• Check discount sites for free shipping or discount promo codes. Various coupon sites usually hold these promo codes. The codes may or may not work, but you’re free to try as many different codes as you please.

• Check Craigslist and eBay.  I suggest these two with the highest of caution – items may be fake or not as advertised, but you can potentially come across an excellent deal.

• Keep your receipts. If you buy something (even on sale), keep the receipt and see the same item on for a deeper discount within a two week period.  Go back to the retailer and [politely] request them to refund the different of the price.

• Visit neighborhood consignment shops, and visit often.  Go to the wealthier parts of town and find their consignments shops (Dragon & Phoenix is a great one in Kerrisdale).  Usually the ridiculously wealthy buy the most exciting pieces, wear them a few times and tire of them quickly.  They then buy new outrageously priced pieces and bring their ‘old’ barely worn goods to consignment stores.  Let some crazy rich individual soak up the profit margin on your clothes! Most of the time you can find genuine designer pieces that are still in the same season (I speak from experience).

• Look into customer referral bonuses.  Invite only environments like the Gilt Groupe offer credits to those who refer ordering customers. If you know people who like to buy, make sure you’re the one who introduces them to these buying environments and reap the benefits.

• Check for defects.  If you see a piece on clearance but it’s missing a button or has a repairable defect, request a re-pricing at customer service.  Be sure that you have the tools and ability to repair the piece to its former glory, or there is no point in buying it no matter what the discount is.

• Watch out for friends & family sales. These aren’t as difficult to get into as one may think.  If you don’t know anyone actually working for the store you want to buy from and ask a shop keeper about future sales. Request an invitation if one is coming up, and they will likely oblige.

• Watch the sale racks religiously. Never view the full priced items first. That is a spend trap because you’ll always find something new and glorious that will drain your entire budget in one fell swoop.  By checking out the sale merch, you expose yourself to threads that are more realistically priced and find items that other people didn’t want to buy – which is a good thing.

• Keep up with your local fashion blogs. Yeah, this one may sound like shameless self promotion but it’s true!  Your friendly neighborhood fashion enthusiasts always have their ear to the ground and will always be publishing information in a timely manner.