Shopping tips

Under the Twice as Nice Guarantee, Aldi refunds a qualifying Aldi-brand food item and also replaces it; here is what recent reports say about the rules.

As reported by consumer sites, AutoZone takes most items back within 90 days at any store, in original packaging with a receipt; used parts may be refused.

B&H takes most items back within 30 days of delivery in new condition and original packaging; shipping is not refunded and a 15% restocking fee can apply.

Bass Pro Shops takes most returns within 60 days with proof of purchase, at Bass Pro or Cabela's stores; firearms, ammunition and some gear are final sale.

Consumer sites report that BJ's takes most items back within a year and electronics within 90 days; alcohol, tobacco, gift cards and trading cards are final.

Burlington asks for returns within 30 days with the receipt for a refund to your original payment; later or receiptless returns get merchandise credit instead.

Best Buy sets hours per store and posts them on each store page; one Minnesota store lists 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., with an earlier close on Sunday.

Most Sam's Clubs open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day, with Plus members shopping early from 8 a.m.; pharmacy, café, fuel and tire hours differ.

Some Walgreens stores and pharmacies are open 24 hours and its locator filters for them; Sheetz serves food 24/7; most Walmart stores now close overnight.

Aldi sets hours per store and lists them in its store locator; its stores close on New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Every Big Lots in the store locator opens at 9 a.m. Monday to Saturday; most close at 8 p.m. on weekdays and 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

BJ's sets hours per club; it says it is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day in 2026, and news reports say clubs now close at 10 p.m., 9 p.m. on Sundays.

USPS says mail Ground Advantage by December 17 and Priority Mail Express by December 19, 2026; FedEx Ground's last day is December 17 to 23 by transit time.

Amazon can ship eligible orders to a Locker, a Counter or a UPS Access Point; here are the size limits, how pickup works and how long packages wait.

Apple ships online orders free, offers free next-day delivery on in-stock devices such as Macs, iPads and iPhones, and two-hour delivery in most metros.

Order on apple.com, wait for the pickup notice with a QR code, then bring the order number, a government photo ID and the live QR code or Wallet pass.

IKEA offers Collect at IKEA in its own stores, free for IKEA Family members and $2 otherwise, and Collect Near You at third-party points with a $35 minimum.

Recent guides tie Macy's free shipping to Star Rewards levels, with no minimum for Gold and Platinum cardholders and large items left out.

If Apple cuts an Apple-branded product's price within 14 days of delivery, you can ask for the difference, except in limited-time sales like Black Friday.

Cyber Monday 2026 is November 30. Best Buy names that date for its sale, and Costco's holiday savings list Cyber Monday deals on November 30.

Dick's matches a lower price at another retailer on the same product; deal sites say the item must be identical and Amazon marketplace sellers do not count.

Harbor Freight's own pages describe no price match program; what they do allow is using a current coupon on a purchase from the last 30 days.

A rebate gives back part of the price after you buy, at the register or by a later claim; the FTC says ads should make the upfront cost and the timing clear.

Target publishes no clearance schedule; shopping guides report markdowns in steps of about 30, 50 and 70 percent, with 90 percent mostly after holidays.

AAA lists member discounts with retail partners such as 1-800-Flowers, HP, Samsung, Dell and NAPA; you need an active membership, and offers vary by region.

Prime Access is full Prime at $6.99 a month, not $14.99, for people on SNAP, Medicaid and similar programs or with income up to 200% of the poverty guideline.

Unlike Costco and Sam's Club, BJ's accepts manufacturer coupons and lets you pair one with a BJ's coupon on the same item, as news sites report.

Chewy Autoship takes 35% off your first Autoship order, up to $20, then 5% off eligible items on every later Autoship order; change or cancel at any time.

Dell's Heroes program takes up to 10 percent extra off eligible items for verified military members, veterans and retirees, two products per order.

Under Armour lists 20% off for police, firefighters and EMTs, Nike 10% online, Dell up to 10% extra and Samsung program pricing, each after ID checks.

Ace Rewards is Ace Hardware's free loyalty program, with member sales, personalized coupons, bonus points and member-only events like Ace Rewards Days.

Amazon takes major credit and debit cards, its own cards, US checking accounts, gift cards, EBT, FSA, HSA and card reward points; here are the rules for each.

Best Buy takes major cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, gift cards and its own cards online and in store; cash and checks work in stores only, Zip online or in its app.

BJ's sells two memberships, Club at $60 a year and Club+ at $120, as reported by news and shopping sites; Club+ adds 2% back in rewards and a gas discount.

Dick's ScoreCard is free and earns 1 point per dollar; since July 2026 ScoreCard+ adds a 99 dollar a year tier with 25 dollars in rewards each quarter.

Harbor Freight's Inside Track Club is a paid membership, $29.99 for one year or $44.99 for two, that unlocks member-only prices online and in stores.

Amazon boxes, paper mailers and packing paper go in most curbside bins, plastic bags go to store drop-off, and old devices can be traded in or donated.

As reported by SlashGear and the Daily Dot, AutoZone lends specialty tools for a deposit near the tool's price, refunded in full if returned within 90 days.

Tires bought at a Costco Tire Center include installation, lifetime rotation, balancing, flat repairs and nitrogen, plus a 5 year road hazard warranty.

Guitar Center buys qualifying used gear in stores after an in-person appraisal, pays the same day, and adds 10% off one new item when you take trade credit.

IKEA's As-is section sells discontinued, gently used and ex-display items for less; members can reserve them online for 48 hours, and they cannot be returned.

IKEA buys back used, fully assembled IKEA furniture for store credit at participating US stores; you need IKEA Family, an online quote and an in-store check.