Sears is about to start closing sales at three more Cincinnati-area stores, leaving the region with just one.
But before you head out to find some liquidation deals on clothing, beds, tools or appliances, we have a caution so that you don't inadvertently overpay.
Alicia Conrad and her little girl headed into the Florence, Kentucky Sears store to use up a gift card before the store is gone.
"I'm here to see if I can use a gift card we got for our wedding four years ago. Trying to use it before they close," she said.
Closing sales to begin
Sears announced it is closing 46 more stores by the end of November.
In the Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio area they include:
- Florence Mall
- Northgate Mall
- Dayton Mall
- Tri County Mall (which closed earlier this summer).
With just the Eastgate Mall Sears staying open, William Ellis of Carrollton, Kentucky, is running out of options.
"I buy a lot of their tools, and they've already closed the two in Louisville," he said. "And I come up here today and find out that they are closing this one."
Sears tells Marketwatch.com that liquidation sales will start this Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, at some stores
But Northgate and Florence staffers we spoke with say they've been told the Cincinnati-area stores will start closing sales next week, after their Labor Day sale wraps up.
Use caution before you shop
If you are in the market for a new washing machine, refrigerator or lawnmower, you may want to check prices in the next few days, on specific items that interest you.
That way you can make sure you are really getting a bargain, and that prices did not go up at the start of the liquidation sale. That often happens when a store goes out of business.
Remember the Toys r Us closing sales earlier this year? Prices jumped to list price right before the 10 percent - 20 percent markdowns started.
On some items, you may get a better price at the Sears Labor Day sale, then when the liquidation starts.
What to know about warranties
If you are buying an appliance or lawn mower, ask about warranty coverage. You will want to have a full one year warranty with any large appliance you purchase (be careful of "as is, no returns" signs on expensive items).
As for the extended warranties that many Sears shoppers have bought, the good news is that Sears remains in business (and the Eastgate store will still be open), and it says it will continue to honor all Kenmore warranties and other protection plans it offers.
That way you don't waste your money.
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