news-record.com

GREENSBORO — Gas prices may be rising, but at least you'll still be able to drive home some good deals if you're grilling this Memorial Day weekend.

Here are highlights from sales at stores in the Triad. Deals end Tuesday except for Aldi, which end Sunday.

• Value packs of ground chuck are $1.69 a pound at Food Lion.
• Split chicken breasts are 99 cents a pound at Harris Teeter, which doubles manufacturers' coupons up to 99 cents (limit 20).
• Boneless top sirloin steak is $3.99 a pound at Lowes Foods, which also doubles manufacturers' coupons up to 99 cents (limit 20).
• Aldi has three pounds of Kirkwood chicken breasts for $5.49
• Heavy pork spareribs are 78 cents a pound at Compare Foods.
• For beer lovers, Food Lion has 24-packs of Bud Light and Coors Light for $11.44 (limit two).
• In the soda department, Harris Teeter has a buy one, get one free deal on Coke brands.

 * * * * * *

If you're looking for great deals on quality furniture, mark your calendar for an upcoming fundraising event in Greensboro.

The Triad Health Project's Designers Care event features deals on hundreds of items donated by furniture manufacturers, showrooms, retailers and designers that are significantly below wholesale.

It will be May 30-31 at The Village at North Elm, 303-H Pisgah Church Road in Greensboro. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 30 and noon to 4 on May 31.

A preview of the event will be from 7 to 10 p.m. May 29. Although the regular event is free, the preview costs $35 for one ticket or $50 for two tickets. Call 272-1654 or purchase them online at www.triadhealthproject.com.

 * * * * * *

Ever haggled for a better deal?

You might want to give it a try because it could pay off.

Of the more than 66 percent of Americans who tried to negotiate a better deal in the past six months, most were successful, according to a new Consumer Reports survey.

Consumer Reports offers these haggling tips:

• Be courteous. Demanding a discount? Good luck with that one.
• Timing is key. Try it later in the month when salespeople are trying to meet their quotas. Evening or early hours are when clerks have more time to hear your pitch.
• Haggle out of earshot of other customers. Sales clerks don't want others asking for deals, too.
• Research prices and store policies. Also, keep in mind that at chain stores, for example, salespeople often don't have the power to offer a discount. Try asking a manager or supervisor instead. If you can't get a price discount, ask for free shipping, delivery or installation.
• Check how long it's been on sale. Retailers are often more willing to cut prices on merchandise that has been on the sales floor longer.
• Offer to pay cash. Merchants don't like to pay transaction fees to credit card companies.
• Know when to walk away.

* * * * * *

My last column mentioned the opening of Mechelle's Resale Shoppe, which is at 301 State St., Suite E, two doors from Cafe Pasta in Greensboro.

It turns out the phone company gave her the wrong number to use, store owner Mechelle Lindenberg said.

Oops.

The correct number is 574-4496.

* * * * * *

Become Web savvy. Check out the Bargain Blog at news-record.com and subscribe to the Bargain Bytes e-newsletter at news-record.com/bargains. Also, sign up for my Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/bargainblog.

Do you have retail news or shopping tips for Savvy Shopper? Contact Mike Fuchs at 373-3465 or michael.fuchs@news-record. com.