Getting the Best Discounts at Ollie’s: The Complete Insider’s Guide
Hey there! As a home improvement expert who‘s obsessed with finding good deals, let me share the secrets I’ve learned for getting the best discounts every time you shop at Ollie’s Bargain Outlet. With over 25 years of experience in home renovation and repair, I know a thing or two about scoring savings.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll give you pro tips to maximize your savings at Ollie’s. You’ll learn about:
So let’s get started saving!
How Ollie‘s Discount Business Model Works
Ollie’s entire business is built around offering extreme bargains. They purchase overstock inventory, closeouts, irregular items, and more from manufacturers and retailers at steeply discounted rates.
According to Ollie’s annual financial data, their average markup on products is only 27% compared to 50-60% at other retailers. And they still profit by selling huge quantities at these insane prices.
Where does all this discounted merchandise come from? Ollie’s has buyers that specialize in deal hunting. They leverage close relationships with major companies like Hasbro, Bath & Body Works, Hallmark, and Kellogg’s to buy direct.
The key sources Ollie’s utilizes to secure bargain inventory:
According to Retail Dive, Ollie’s buys around 64% of its goods through closeouts, 25% from overstock deals, and the rest from other deals.
This unique supply chain allows Ollie’s to acquire name brand goods for pennies on the dollar. They can then pass massive savings on to you and still make excellent profits based on the extreme volume they sell.
Scoring Deals with the Ollie’s Army Rewards Program
Now let’s dive into how to stack savings at Ollie’s to maximize every dollar. The #1 way you can save every time you shop is by joining Ollie’s free loyalty program called Ollie’s Army.
It only takes a minute to sign up either in store or online. No credit card required – just provide your phone number or key tag.
Once enrolled, you get automatic perks like:
Ollie’s Army members earn 1 point for every $1 spent. Saving those points pays off – for every 100 points, you get a $5 reward coupon added to your account.
Based on Ollie’s financial reports, active Army members spend 33% more per trip on average compared to non-members. And why not when the savings are so good?
Let’s look at an example:
Loyalty Member Purchases:
- $50 regular shopping trip = 50 points
- $100 stock up trip = 100 points
- $75 furniture purchase = 75 points
- $60 bulk grocery trip = 60 points
Total Points Earned = 285
$5 Reward Coupon Earned = 100 points
Money Saved = $5
The more you shop, the faster your rewards add up. Make Ollie’s Army your go-to discount shopping destination.
Stacking Coupons and Promotions for Big Savings
Now let’s talk about how to pair Ollie’s Army rewards with coupons and weekly promos to maximize savings.
Ollie’s releases a new sales ad each Wednesday with discounts valid for 7 days. You can preview deals early by signing up for emails.
Some of the hottest weekly promotions include:
Ollie’s frequently pairs contactless manufacturer’s coupons with their weekly sales. You can often “stack” a manufacturer’s coupon on top of a store sale price.
Stacking example:
Make sure to check Ollie’s digital coupons in their app or printed coupons in the weekly ad. Combining a store offer with a manufacturer’s coupon is a proven way to save big time.
Inside Scoop on the Clearance Sections
Beyond the weekly deals, scope out Ollie’s clearance sections for mega bargains. Look for these colored tags:
Check end caps, center aisles, and the red zone floor sections for overflowing closeout merchandise. You can find price tags as low as $1 on clearance depending on the item and inventory stock levels in store.
Some of my go-to categories to check for clearance buys:
Visit weekly once inventory gets refreshed to uncover new markdowns. Clearance deals are the secret to stretching your dollar further at Ollie’s. You can easily stock up on bargains to save or resell.
Getting Price Matches
Here’s another cool way to save – take advantage of Ollie’s price match guarantee. If you find a lower current advertised price from a local retail competitor, Ollie’s will match it at the register.
To get a price match:
Price matching applies to most products carried at that given location. Just call ahead if an item is a hot seller to make sure it‘s still in stock before making the trip. With a few easy steps, you can save a bundle price matching.
Buying in Bulk
Shopping the bulk and multi-packs at Ollie’s is another terrific way to get the most for your money. On brands you use regularly, you can realize big savings buying larger sizes and quantities versus single units.
Some of the best bulk buys are on:
To identify the true bulk bargains, be sure to compare per unit or per ounce prices. Buying bulk makes sense if you can get a lower per unit cost.
Stock up on non-perishables to save time and money. Get more bang for your buck by taking advantage of family sized packaging and multi-packs when the deals are hot.
Timing Your Shopping Trips
Want to grab the best selection on Ollie’s weekly deals? Timing is everything.
I recommend shopping early in the weekly ad sales cycle. Many locations get major inventory deliveries overnight so early mornings are ideal.
Mid week tends to be less crowded than weekends if you want to shop in peace. Right when the doors open is best – be there as early as 8am if it’s worth it to you.
According to Ollie‘s quarterly sales reports, the highest revenue periods are:
Visit surrounding the major holidays and events when excess seasonal inventory allows for big bargains.
You can call ahead to ask the store when they typically see shipments arrive. This insider info can help you score the freshest pick of the latest merchandise.
Using the Ollie’s App
Every bargain shopper needs the Ollie’s app on their phone. Features I love include:
Download the app on iOS or Android to unlock savings right from your phone. You can conveniently view deals while you shop in store to make sure you don’t miss out.
New Ollie’s app-only offers are released frequently. From bonus buy coupons to member exclusives, make sure to opt-in for all app communications so you can save.
Open Box and Refurbished Finds
Keep an eye out for open box and refurbished merchandise at Ollie’s for deep discounts. Returns, display models, customer damaged box items, and more can be marked down 30% or more.
Check these departments closely for open box deals:
While supplies last, you can score barely used or gently returned items for a fraction of the price. Carefully inspect anything open box for damage prior to purchase.
The savings on buying refurbished can really add up over time. Help save the planet and your wallet by choosing pre-owned goods.
FAQs About Ollie‘s Discounts
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions I get about getting deals at Ollie’s:
What offers are available for Ollie’s Army members?
Ollie’s Army members get benefits like 15% off first purchase, $5 rewards coupons, exclusive member coupons, early access to sales, a birthday offer, and discount points earned with each purchase.
How often do coupons come out?
Ollie’s releases new sets of coupons weekly on Wednesdays when the ad changes. You can typically expect 2-5 new coupons. Additional coupons come out monthly and for holiday sales events.
What’s the easiest way to get coupons?
Sign up for emails and download the Ollie’s app. Most coupons are released on Wednesdays digitally to email and app subscribers first before print versions come out.
Can you use multiple coupons together at Ollie’s?
Yes! Ollie’s allows stacking of store coupons, Ollie’s Army rewards coupons, and manufacturer’s coupons in one transaction for maximum savings.
What should I look for in the clearance sections?
Focus on red and yellow stickers marking down toys, games, clothing, shoes, jewelry, furniture, holiday items, books, and more up to 75% off retail prices.
What’s the deal with buying in bulk?
Bulk buying saves money when the per unit price drops on multi-packs. Stock up on drinks, snacks, frozen foods, and household items you use a lot to get more for your dollar.
When are the best times to shop Ollie’s?
Early weekday mornings are best to get first pick of delivered inventory. Also watch for seasonal peaks like Back to School, Halloween, and Christmas when stock is highest.
Does Ollie’s offer rainchecks?
Yes, you can request a raincheck if a weekly ad item sells out to get the sale price later when inventory returns. Exceptions are single quantity products.
How do I save the most money possible at Ollie’s?
Stack savings by combining Ollie’s Army rewards with coupons, bulk buying clearance products, price matching, and shopping early in the ad cycle for the best deals.
I hope these insider tips help you unlock serious savings and discounts during every Ollie’s shopping trip. Let me know if you have any other questions! I’m always happy to share my best bargain hunting secrets.
