When a favorite store announces it’s closing, many consumers rush in hoping to snag steep discounts. But as one recent shopper learned the hard way, those "store closing deals" might not be the bargains they seem.
A Georgia shopper visited a Tuesday Morning store during a closing sale offering 10% off all merchandise. Like many customers, they accepted the terms: “All sales final.” But once home, they discovered something troubling. Several items had new price tags covering older ones, and the new prices appeared to be higher than the originals.
So what’s really going on here? Is this deceptive pricing, or just standard liquidation practice?
What Liquidators Don’t Want You to Know
When a national retail chain shutters its stores, the sales process often gets handed off to a liquidator, not the original store management. These liquidation companies are in it for profit, not to offer deals out of goodwill. They typically buy up the remaining merchandise, slap on their own price tags, often higher than the original prices, and then advertise a storewide “discount.”
The advertised “10% off” might still be more expensive than what the item originally cost on the shelf before the liquidation began. Many of these new price tags obscure or replace the original, lower price. The result? Shoppers think they’re scoring a deal, when they’re actually paying more than they would have during a regular sale.
It’s a common tactic, and it’s perfectly legal unless the pricing creates a false or misleading impression.
When It Crosses the Line into Deceptive
If the receipt you receive at checkout matches the price on the shelf – even if it’s higher than you expected – it’s technically a valid transaction. But things get murky if the shelf or sticker price doesn’t align with the receipt. If there’s any inconsistency in what's advertised versus what’s charged, that could cross into the territory of deceptive pricing.
In Georgia, deceptive trade practices fall under the jurisdiction of the Georgia Fair Business Practices Act (FBPA), which prohibits misrepresenting the price of goods or services. If a store (or its liquidator) inflates prices and falsely represents them as “discounted,” consumers have the right to report it.
What You Can Do If You Feel Cheated
If you’re a Georgia resident and believe you’ve been misled by deceptive pricing during a liquidation sale:
- File a complaint with the Georgia Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.
- Keep your receipts and take photos of the price tags, especially if they show price layering or inconsistencies.
- Review refund policies carefully. Many liquidations include final sale clauses, but that doesn’t excuse false advertising.
And most importantly, don’t assume a “store closing” sale means good value. If anything, approach them with even more scrutiny than you would a regular retail promotion.
Bottom Line: Buyer Beware During Liquidation Sales
In today’s retail environment, where major chains like Tuesday Morning, Bed Bath & Beyond, and others are vanishing from malls and strip centers, liquidation sales are becoming more common… and more misleading.
Savvy consumers need to be on alert. Look beyond the bold discount signs and flashy markdown banners. Check price tags carefully. If something seems off, trust your instincts and know your rights.
