Buzz
Finding products that suit your needs is already challenging; discovering that your preferred beauty item, china pattern, or bedding has been discontinued by the manufacturer can add to the frustration! Fortunately for many brand and product loyalists, there are often methods to locate and purchase your favorite product even after it has been discontinued. Buy discontinued products by researching where you can find them online or in stores, and always check clearance sales for items that are no longer on the general market.
Steps
Contacting the Manufacturer
Reach out to the brand. The manufacturer of the item might keep a discontinued line for future sales or new introductions to the market.
- Look for customer service information on the brand's website. For example, if your favorite pair of Nike sneakers has been discontinued, you can contact Nike to see if they provide a way for customers to purchase them directly.
- Search a company's website if you cannot find the discontinued product in stores. Sometimes, brands will continue to sell things online that are not available in their stores or through their retailers.
- Wait a while, then check again. Even if a product is all out of stock on a company's website, sometimes companies keep back a bit of extra stock to fill warranties or replace defected products, and then release it for sale if it is not needed. This can take a while... for instance, if a product has a one year guarantee, it will be at least a year before excess stock is released for sale.
Look out for special 'revival' promotions. Brands occasionally reintroduce discontinued products at specific times of the year for customers who wish to restock. For instance, Bath & Body Works offers their discontinued scents twice a year during their Semi-Annual Sale, while Bobbi Brown hosts 'Bobbi Brings Back' events for popular cosmetics at irregular intervals.
- If uncertain about whether your preferred brand conducts revival promotions, reach out to a customer service representative via their website (typically found under 'Contact Us') or through social media channels like Facebook or Twitter.
Contemplate directly appealing to the company. If a brand has discontinued your beloved product, chances are other customers share your frustration. Social media facilitates connecting with the company's customer base and service representatives.
- Follow the company on Twitter and Facebook. Then, tweet or post on Facebook using the company's handle or a relevant hashtag.
- Having support from other customers is beneficial. The product was likely discontinued for a reason, and the company needs to perceive its reintroduction as financially viable. Make your post public on Facebook to ensure both the company and other customers see it. Encourage friends to share your post or send their own messages to the company.
- For instance, if you hope Revlon will reintroduce their Outrageous line of shampoo and conditioner, you might tweet: 'Longing for Outrageous shampoo every shower, years later. Will it ever return @Revlon?'
- Remain polite. Framing your request in terms of your loyalty and admiration for the company, rather than criticizing or questioning their decisions, is more likely to yield positive results.
Utilizing Online Resources
Utilize search engines. Often, the simplest and quickest method to locate a discontinued product for sale is through a straightforward Internet search. Include specific keywords like make, model, shade, or version in your search terms.
- For example, if seeking nail polish by Pure Ice in the discontinued shade First Time, Google 'pure ice first time nail polish.' If the product is listed by a seller on Amazon, eBay, or other retail sites, it's likely to appear at the top of search results.
Check out platforms like eBay and Amazon. These websites enable private sellers to offer their remaining stock of discontinued items for sale.
- Although a Google search may yield results on these sites, the search engine's algorithm is not always reliable. Thus, it's advisable to conduct separate searches on each platform.
- Compare prices and available products. Depending on the discontinued item, there may be a wide range. For instance, on eBay, Burt's Bees discontinued products range from $3 to $40. Don't hastily purchase the first item you see; sellers often exploit brand loyalty by inflating prices for discontinued items. Shop around to find the best deal.
Explore specialized websites for discontinued products. Various online retailers cater to discontinued items, including beauty products, electronics, and household goods.
- Visit websites like Discontinuedbeauty.com or Buymebeauty.com for beauty and health products, and Discontinuednomore.com for electronics, fragrances, china, and more.
Browse brick-and-mortar stores. Major retailers like Walmart and Target often allocate sections for discontinued merchandise, typically offered at clearance prices.
- Look for endcap displays (found at the end of store aisles), orange or red clearance stickers, and announcements regarding discontinued items. Take advantage of these opportunities to stock up on your favorites.
Check classified ads. Both print and online advertisements frequently feature discontinued products for sale.
- Scan your local newspaper and Craigslist listings.
- Consider posting your own ad on Craigslist or utilizing your city's Freecycle program (register at Freecycle.org).
Harness the power of social media. When seeking discontinued items, leverage your Facebook friends and Twitter followers. Social networks are valuable resources for tips and suggestions on finding elusive products.
- Search Facebook for groups and pages dedicated to specific brands or product categories, where users exchange and sell items. Beauty brands, in particular, often have dedicated online communities where discontinued items can be found. However, exercise caution when purchasing used items, especially cosmetics, and ensure they can be properly sanitized to prevent bacterial contamination.
Smart Shopping
Be selective about discontinued items. Keep in mind that certain discontinued products should be avoided based on their type and reason for discontinuation.
- Avoid purchasing expired or perishable goods, as consuming them can pose health risks.
- For beauty products like nail polish, consider that their texture and quality may degrade over time, particularly if they've been discontinued for an extended period.
- Understand the reason behind the product's discontinuation, as it may relate to poor sales or safety concerns. Research online or contact the manufacturer for details.
Check for intact packaging. To ensure product quality and safety, it's generally best to avoid buying used items, especially for health and beauty products that may harbor harmful bacteria.
- If purchasing a discontinued item in person or from a secondhand source, verify that the packaging is unopened.
- When shopping online, look for listings specifying 'factory sealed' or 'unopened.' If uncertain, contact the seller for clarification.
- For certain solid beauty products like lipstick or eyeshadow, sanitizing with rubbing alcohol may be possible, but this method could alter the product's texture.
Invest in limited edition items. If your preferred product is labeled as 'limited edition' or 'for a limited time,' it's likely to be discontinued soon. Stocking up now ensures you'll have a supply until you find a suitable replacement.
- Some brands announce discontinuations in advance, so stay informed by subscribing to email updates and following them on social media.
Pointers
-
Keep in mind that returning or replacing discontinued items can be challenging. For instance, Sony does not service discontinued electronics, and returning such items to stores for exchanges or refunds is usually not possible.
