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Holiday Shopping Deals: You Have The Hammer

Retailers Need You Now More Than Ever, So Don't Be Afraid To Fight For The Price You Think You Should Pay

NEW YORK (CBS) ― As retailers brace for a gloomy holiday season some are pulling out all the stops now to get you through their doors. And as CBS 2 HD found out there are big deals to be had if you know where to look and how to shop.

At Daniard's Salon in Ridgewood, N.J., new clients not only get $20 off their first visit, they also get a lot of free stuff.

"We're trying to encourage new business," Daniard's manager Denise Maione said.

And it's working, even luring customers from salons across the river in New York.

"They don't want to spend the money for parking, tolls, double the cost in Manhattan," Maione said.

From your local family run business to the nation's largest retailers economic uncertainty is forcing them to start offering deep discounts.

"Retailers are going to have to be very clever and very keen on trying to convince the consumer to shop and shop with confidence," said Marshal Cohen of the NPD Group.

To accomplish that, experts say, stores need to offer at least 15 to 20 percent in additional savings, plus special promotions.

"The department stores have very much entered into the coupon game, the special sales game and the incentives game," Cohen said.

Sales are starting even earlier this year. Target, Wal-Mart and KB Toys are cutting prices on dozens of toys to $10 or less. Banana Republic recently had a 30-percent-off sale on all merchandise and some department stores like Neiman Marcus are sending out gift cards valued at $50 to $100....restoration hardware e-mailed $100 discount coupons for purchases of $400 or more.

"Coupons are essential," shopper Jean Abdou said.

Abdou, a working mother, often makes her own deals by simply asking.

"I'll say, 'You know what? I forgot my coupon at home,'" Abdou said.

Another way to score a bargain is to haggle.

"Everyone can do it. You can do it at Wal-Mart and Target," said Kelli Grant of Smart Money magazine.

At a New Jersey boutique, all you had to do is ask and you shall receive.

"I can give you 20 percent off if you want to shop something today," an employee said in front of a CBS 2 HD hidden camera.

"Just mentioning off hand, I think I saw this down the street at $20 less, can go a long way," Grant said.

Retail experts also suggest shopping on Wednesday and Thursday -- the days when stores start big sales. And use your department store credit card to land additional discounts up to 20 percent. 

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