Bargain Finds
South Bay
South Bay Listings
Athena Designs
A true Designer and Manufacturer fashion jewelry showroom, Athena Designs is only open a few days every 4-6 weeks to the public. A planned visit is a must to get incredible buys on jewelry pieces at 50%-85% below retail.
Custom Comfort Mattress
The deal here is value. Instead of paying for over-hyped marketing, advertising and the huge markup the big commercial mattress companies charge, at Custom Comfort you’ll get your mattress manufacturer direct. All the mattresses here are made by them at their factory in Orange. No middleman, no excessive markup, no hyped “Sale” and no bull. You’ll save 20%-40% below the biggies on better quality mattresses.
Karma Clothing
You’ll feel instantly welcomed at Karma Clothing in Hermosa Beach. This hip women’s resale boutique has a “feel good” vibe like no other. With steep savings of 60%-85% on higher–end designer clothing, you’re gonna totally dig shopping here!
You’ll find fun, fashion clothing here by Armani, Guess, Ralph Lauren BCBG, Laundry, Bebe, Calvin Klein, Tessori, Hollister, Splendid, Zara, Odille, Barney New York, Tory Burch, Banana Republic, Kensie, French Connection, Ellie Tahari, Old Navy, Free People and more.
Sofas, Tables & More
Love the hip, contemporary furniture designs from Restoration Hardware, Z Gallerie, Crate and Barrel and Pottery Barn?
Well you’ll jump for joy when you save of 30%-65% on similar designs on even higher quality home furnishings at Sofas, Tables and More in Torrance.
Children’s Orchard
New and used apparel for children. Savings of 20%-40% on new apparel, usually overruns or liquidations. Nice presentation of Infant through Pre-Teen apparel in good condition with some furniture, toys, book, videos.
Childrens Resale Stores
Shopping at kids resale stores when my daughter was little was a real budget saver. She had a great wardrobe and we didn’t have to spend much. Even now at 13, we go in to our local store and I let her pick a couple of items. I used these stores to pick up books, videos/DVDs, shoes, furniture… anything I may have needed at real budget prices.
Designer Fashion Exchange
I was delightfully surprised when I walked into Designer Fashion Exchange and found it to be a superior outlet for women’s better apparel at 50%-95% below original retail.
Free Job Training
The recession is tough on teen and young adults. College tuition has sky rocketed and many kids are unable to afford to go to college or just going part time. Many of them are starting to look for work without any preparation or training.
Enter the Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Network Youth Opportunity Center.
Furniture Consignment and More
I love furniture consignment stores. As a creative DIY-er and an antique hound, consignment stores are one of the best places to haunt for stellar deals in home furnishings and décor. So when I spotted a sign that actually said furniture consignment while driving around Long Beach, I executed a fast U turn.
Habitat Restores
Habitat ReStores have both new and used surplus building materials donated by building supply stores, contractors, demolition crews and individuals. The products here range from door knobs to doors, sinks to lighting, windows to hardware, flooring and almost anything in between, all at prices that are 40%-70% below what you would expect to pay.
HD Supply, Repair & Remodel
Spring and Summer usually bring with it home repair and remodeling jobs. Some of these big repairs can be costly, even if you do the work yourself. With every penny counting to stay on budget, you’ll be happy to shop at HD Supply Repair & Remodel.
HD Supply does a high volume, low markup business in huge warehouses, saving you 10%-50% on doors, windows, cabinets, flooring, lumber, moulding, tools, electrical, masonry, plumbing, heating & cooling and more.
Hi Fashion $5.99
Normally when I see a store sign like Hi Fashion $5.99, I immediately believe it’s a store full of crap-ola junk that’s not really worth $5.99. But “contempt before investigation” is a flaw I am trying to overcome, so I went in.
Glad I did…
Home Improvement
Spring and Summer are the time most of us think of doing some home improvement projects. If you’re tight on time and a budget too, don’t settle for Home Depot or Lowes just because it’s easy without checking out these great discount sources for Home Improvement projects:
Interior Incentives
Life is stressful… Saving money on home furnishings shouldn’t be. That’s why we really like Interior Incentives. Not only will you save 30%-60% on home furnishings, but owner, Denise make the process so easy, you’ll wonder why you ever shopped without her.
With this one women dynamo, you can shop catalogs for everything from hard case goods to upholstered pieces all in the comfort of your own home.
Jack Winter Auto Inspection
Shopping for a good used car takes some research and a good mechanic. After doing the initial homework on the car ourselves, including web search, consumer reports buying guide and a test drive, we call in our favorite roving mechanic, Jack Winters, to inspect the car.
Mary & Rafa’s Discount Outlet
As liquidation stores go, Mary’s and Rafa’s Discount Outlet is a classic off price liquidator. Here they liquidate department store overstock, customer returns, excess product and freight damaged items selling them to the public at 35%-80% savings.
Pottery Manufacturing and Distribution
Shopping a long time, tried & true bargain source isn’t easy in Southern California where most independent discounters from years past have closed up. Not so with Pottery Manufacturing and Distribution in Gardena where you can save 30%-40% on ceramic pottery, pots and planters.
RER Demolition
Not only is RER Demolition a terrific demolition company (Ellen DeGeneres has used them). But they also salvage good reusable items out of upscale homes and industrial building and resell them to the public at prices that are cheaper than your average garage sale!
SAS Fabrics
In this recession, many of us are looking to save on everything…. Looking for rock bottom deals, choosing to become crafters by “doing it ourselves”. Instead of buying pre-made, we’re now sewing curtains, garments and home décor items. If you’re anywhere near the South Bay area, SAS Fabrics is just about the cheapest place on the planet to buy fabric and notions. Savings here are 60%-95% off original retail.
Top 10 Bargain Sources for 2012
Here they are…our top 10 new Bargain Sources for 2012!
Every year we research dozens of new stores, outlets and discounters. Out of these we pick the top ten new sources for each year. It isn’t easy, but here they are.
See if you agree.
Toys, Toys and More
Let’s face it, one of the best parts of Christmas and holiday shopping is buying for children. The annual ritual of ripping gift wrap off packages and the memories of the oohs and aahs that result from this gleeful event last a lifetime.
So here are my picks of places to find that perfect toy for that perfect kid for a lot less!
Z Gallerie Outlet
The Z Gallerie outlet sells scratch and dent, customer returns, damaged floor models, discontinued, overstock and some canceled orders, all at 50%-70% off.


