20 Ways Arizona’s ‘Discount’ Stores Rip You Off

We're all working hard—and working even harder—to save money. Shopping at Arizona's wide array of discount stores may seem like a great way to stretch our hard-earned dollars. But ask yourself: Are you saving as much cash as you think you are?

Discount stores exist for the same reason as other retail establishments: to make money.

One way they achieve that goal is by using tricks to make shoppers believe they're getting a bigger bang for their buck. But if you look closely, you realize you're paying the same amount of cash, and in some cases, even more—and yet sometimes you're getting even less.

READ: Buy These 13 Arizona Thrift Store Items Immediately!

Arizona Discount Chains Use Psychological Tricks

Let's face it: stores don't stay in business unless shoppers are willing to pony up for their products. When various stores compete for the same customers while offering similar products, how do they set themselves apart?

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Most retail chains hire psychology experts to help kick up their sales strategies.

These experts of the mind tweak help retailers understand their customers in order to leverage the most effective ways to influence consumer behavior. All without making it evident to the customer that they're being manipulated into buying certain products or spending more money than they realize.

READ: Buy These 13 Arizona Thrift Store Items Immediately!

Strategic Psychology Retailers Use to Get You to Spend More Money

These experts analyze the most effective ways to influence consumer behavior. Here are some common ways they do this:

Convenience: Deep discount retailers like Dollar General and Family Dollar stores seem to be on every corner of every town these days. They're strategically located for convenience. Why drive all the way to the grocery store when you can get most of the staples you need in half the distance?

Charm Pricing: Stores set prices just under a round number. For example, they might price an item at $9.99 instead of $10.00. Our brains tend to focus on the digit farthest to the left, which makes $9.99 seem like a lot less than $10.00.

Strategic Product Placement: Items that stores want to sell more of are placed at eye level. This simple, prominent placement makes them much more likely to be noticed and purchased. Cheaper or less profitable items are often placed on lower or higher shelves.

Bundling Products: Stores offer products in bundles. For example, "Buy one, get one 50% off" will make you think you're getting a better deal. But do you really need two of the same item? You often end up spending more than you intended, and now you have to store an extra item in your home. If the item expires before you can use it, it's definitely not a deal!

Check out the rest of our list of ways "discount" retailers work to separate you from your money.

Sources: NeuroLaunch: Retail Psychology | Reader's Digest | US News