Shopping at Ross Dress for Less can feel like searching for hidden treasures. But not every find is a true prize—some are worth grabbing right away, while others are better left hanging on the clearance rack. Here’s what’s worth picking up and what you might want to skip when you shop at Ross.
#1 Buy This – Sneakers
Well-known brands like Adidas and Nike often show up here, sometimes discounted by as much as 50%. When you realize some of these sneakers sell for over $110 at full price, finding them for around $60 is a serious bargain.
#1 Avoid This – Irregular items
If an item is labeled as “irregular” on the Ross tag, it means it may have a flaw. While plenty of merchandise ends up here due to overproduction, seasonal changes, or excess stock, some pieces arrive because of defects. Either pass on these or inspect them carefully before buying.
#2 Buy This – Discontinued products
Missed out on an item at other stores because it was last season? Ross might still have it, giving you another chance to snag what you were looking for.
#2 Avoid This – Anything you have to haggle over
Store managers at Ross have very little flexibility in adjusting prices, since pricing is set at the corporate level. If you feel a price is too high or incorrect, your best option is simply to leave it on the shelf.
#3 Buy This – Name Brands
Ross sources its merchandise from major retailers, so you won’t have to settle for unfamiliar labels. You can often spot names like Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, and Ralph Lauren—brands you already know and can rely on for quality.
#3 Avoid This – Second and third markdowns
Waiting for markdowns might not be worth the gamble, since price drops usually only happen in 10% increments. If it’s something you really like, it could be gone before the next discount arrives.
#4 Buy This – The bags!
The store offers a solid selection of designer handbags, with names like Michael Kors showing up at a fraction of their usual retail prices.
#4 Avoid This – Most things you can get from T.J.Maxx
In many cases—about two-thirds of the time—T.J.Maxx prices match or beat what Ross charges. It might be worth going straight there or at least comparing prices.
#5 Buy This – Markdowns
Price reductions at Ross happen every Monday, so if you want first pick of new markdowns, mark that day on your calendar.
#5 Avoid This – Home inventory
Ross carries a small and unpredictable assortment of home goods. If you’re looking for matching pieces or a large selection, you might want to look elsewhere.
#6 Buy This – The same exact item with a lower price
Identical items can sometimes have different prices depending on how they were categorized when shipped. This can mean extra savings if you check all the tags and choose the one with the lowest price.
#6 Avoid This – Personal care brands
Everyday personal care products like Dove or Nivea are often a better deal at stores like Target or Walmart, which accept coupons and refresh their stock more frequently.
#7 Buy This – Beauty brands
If you’re after high-end beauty brands like Clinique, checking Ross first could save you a substantial amount compared to other stores.
#7 Avoid This – Fragrances
Even though Ross prices perfumes lower than department stores, online shopping often offers the best deals. It’s worth comparing before you buy.
#8 Buy This – Apparel
The clothing racks at Ross are packed with options, and with some digging, you can uncover great finds hidden among the rows.
#8 Avoid This – Anything you can get online for cheaper
Don’t automatically assume an item is a bargain just because it’s at Ross. Use the Amazon app while you shop to check and compare prices on the spot.
#9 Buy This -Anything that’s 49 cents
The rock-bottom price you’ll ever find here is forty-nine cents. Spotting that number on a tag means you’ve hit the jackpot.
#9 Avoid This – Holiday shopping
Prices don’t drop for holidays—the store just gets busier. Skip the crowds and shop during quieter times if you want the best finds without the chaos.
#10 Buy This – Pet clothes and toys
While Ross is mostly known for clothing and accessories, they also have a decent-sized section for pet supplies.
#10 Avoid This – Coupons
Ross doesn’t offer discount codes and won’t accept any kind of coupon.
#11 Buy This – Baby clothes
The store carries plenty of clothing, including baby outfits and accessories. It’s worth checking here first for items your little one will quickly outgrow, rather than paying more elsewhere.
#11 Avoid This – Socks
Sock prices at Ross are usually similar to other stores—there’s only so much of a discount you can get on them.
#12 Buy This – The shoes
Shoes at Ross aren’t limited to sneakers. They stock a wide range of styles, often including sizes that are harder to find.
#12 Avoid This – Plus sizes
Plus-size options are available, but you may have to do a bit of digging to uncover something you like.
#13 Buy This – Luggage
Luggage can be pricey, but by the time it reaches Ross, it’s often marked down to less than half the original cost. That means more money left over to spend on your trip.
#13 Avoid This – Stains and rips
Take a close look at clothing before you buy. Some pieces may have been returned, and there’s no guarantee they’re in perfect condition.
#14 Buy This – Workout clothing
This deal is tough to pass up—the items are usually marked down significantly.
#14 Avoid This – Set of items
Always check that any set you’re buying has all its pieces. While Ross has a decent return policy, making a trip back to exchange or return something is still inconvenient.
#15 Buy This – Formal dresses
Before spending a fortune on a prom dress, browse Ross—you might score a stunning gown for around twenty dollars.
#15 Avoid This – Anything you haven’t tried on
Because Ross carries many different brands, sizing can vary a lot. Always try items on before heading to checkout.
#16 Buy This – Winter coats
Winter gear can be pricey at full cost, but Ross usually has racks filled with it. Check here first before paying top dollar elsewhere.
#16 Avoid This – Mismatched shoe sizes
Always inspect both shoes before buying to be sure they’re the same size—pairs sometimes get mismatched during stocking.
#17 Buy This – Phone cases
If you need an affordable phone case, Ross is worth a look. They typically have a solid selection with plenty of styles to choose from.
#17 Avoid This – Towels
Picking up towels here might save you money now, but matching them with future purchases or bathroom accessories later will be tough.
#18 Buy This – Nail polish
You’ll often find a wide range of colors at Ross, along with many familiar brand names.
#18 Avoid This – Lingerie
This aisle might look like a bargain, but returns are trickier, and problems with the products are more common. Best to avoid it.
#19 Buy This – Cosmetics
Makeup can be a huge money-saver here. If they don’t have your preferred brand or shade today, check back often—stock changes regularly.
#19 Avoid This – Furniture sets
If you have to return something, chances are Ross won’t have the exact same item to replace it. For that reason, large sets are usually best avoided.
#20 Buy This – Everything on the shelves!
Discount clothing has its own racks, but other markdowns are hidden on regular shelves mixed in with everything else—making the hunt part of the fun.
#20 Avoid This – Food
Ross has begun selling certain food items, often gourmet oils and spices at big discounts. Always check expiration dates before buying.
#21 Buy This – Anything on a Tuesday if you’re over 55
On Tuesdays, shoppers aged fifty-five and older can get a ten percent discount—just bring a valid ID.
#21 Avoid This – Ceramics
Carefully inspect plates, cups, and other breakables before buying. They’ve been through multiple rounds of shipping and handling.
#22 Buy This – Jewelry
While the selection may be unusual, there are often fantastic deals hidden among it—worth taking a look.
#22 Avoid This – Sony earbuds
Even if electronics are a dollar cheaper than Amazon, they’ve usually endured more handling, and not all survive the process.
#23 Buy This – Unique furniture
While furniture sets can be risky here, single pieces that add character to your home are often worth grabbing.
#23 Avoid This – The app
The Ross app offers little value—they remain an in-store shopping experience at heart.
#24 Buy This – Batteries
Many items are priced lower than at competing stores and come from major, recognizable brands—hard to argue with that.
#24 Avoid This – Coolers
While there are some exceptions, Ross generally doesn’t discount these items as steeply as others.
#25 Buy This – Cuisinart
High-quality Cuisinart skillets often appear at Ross for less than half of what you’d pay elsewhere.
#25 Avoid This – Missing out
Ross is full of hidden gems waiting to be discovered, so take your time browsing the aisles.
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