Removing Price Labels

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

12 Dec 2007 11:50 AM

Believe it or not, stubborn price labels can cost you money. Removing them is easy, if you know how.

There are two ways that price labels can cost people money. One way is that many people throw out items, believe it or not, if they incorrectly remove a stubborn price label and damage an object. The other way that stubborn labels can cost money is when they prevent you from purchasing a bargain piece just because you know that you'll never get that label off easily.

Two places that difficult labels tend to pop up are also the two places that most frugal people shop. I am taking about the thrift store and the tag sale.

Last winter, I purchased a gorgeous girl's pink puffy coat from a tag sale for a mere $3. It looked new and was spotlessly clean. The owner of the tag sale had places the price tag on with duct tape (I kid you not). I knew that this would normally leave an awful dirty mess at best or rip the coat at worst. But I purchased it anyway, since I knew I could get that tape off without a problem.

The thrift store always seems to go sticker happy, placing as many as five or six price tags on one item. I suppose they do this to prevent anyone from trying to change the prices on the merchandise.

Here is the best way to remove those labels. Apply a small amount of cooking oil to the tag. Apply it with your fingertips and rub it gently. Wipe it with a clean paper towel and the mess will come right off. In the case of the duct tape, I carefully peeled back the tape and then applied the oil. You can also use rubbing alcohol, if you are removing a sticker from a glass or porcelain surface. While many people opt for nail polish remover, I wouldn't recommend it, as it can damage paint, wood and fabric.

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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