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There are certain people who thrive at Bed Bath & Beyond. Between the monstrous floor-to-ceiling shelving displays and puzzling vagueness of “the beyond,” it seems as though only those with a trained eye for deals and the free time to get lost in exploration will walk out of the store feeling good about their shopping experience. Offering everything from multivitamins to robotic vacuums, amateur shoppers will inevitably find themselves lost in a never-ending sea of bathroom fixtures and so much more.

By now, we’ve armed you with the secrets to conquering similar behemoth retailers, like Ikea, HomeGoodsand Trader Joe’s. Because we believe every design-lover and homebody should have the knowledge and tools to find what they’re looking for, we wanted to get a deeper peek inside, to see what it’s really like to successfully navigate the store. And who better to seek intel from than the people who know every aisle like the back of their hand?

We asked experts and employees for the scoop on how to get the most out of your Bed Bath & Beyond experience—without succumbing to a full-blown panic attack. From the right way to take advantage of your 20% off coupons to what really exists in the “beyond,” company spokesperson, Jessica Joyce, and a slew of Reddit users weigh in on helpful shopping hacks to get you through your shopping spree.

Ahead, see the tips and tricks you’ll want to bookmark before your next BB&B binge, plus a few product recommendations the pros swear by.

 

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They’ll Match Prices From Other Retailers, But You’ll Have to Do the Work

Not unlike Best Buy, Bed Bath & Beyond guarantees a “Price Match Promise.” In other words, if you find the same exact bedding for less at Target, they’ll effectively offer the same product at a lower cost. “With continuously changing prices and constant sales, we understand that there may be times when you find an item for less elsewhere and we’re prepared to accommodate,” shares Joyce.

Sounds good, right? While we love this mentality of essentially crafting your own sales, you’ll have to come prepared with all the necessary information before you go up to an employee and demand a discount. Here are a few caveats customers should be aware of before asking for a price match:

  1. The competitor item must be identical (brand, size, model number, and color) to the item you wish to purchase from Bed Bath & Beyond
  2. For online or store purchases, you’ll be asked to present the qualifying competitor’s ad or website to an in-store or over-the-phone associate
  3. The item must be currently in-stock at the competitor store
  4. The item cannot be a clearance or closeout item
  5. If you want to price match an item you’ve already purchased from Bed Bath and Beyond, you’ll need to have your receipt, invoice, and shipping confirmation on hand

Becoming a Member Is Actually Worth It

One way to save money at Bed Bath & Beyond that you might not know about? If you shop there enough (and, by enough, we mean more than twice a year), becoming a “BEYOND+” member is a great and effortless way to score deals—especially if you’re sick of hoarding coupons in your purse.

“For just $29 a year, our members receive 20% off their entire in-store and online purchases with free standard shipping,” says Joyce. “They are also the first to know about some of our special offers like clearance events, bonus gift cards, etc.”

Note: Not all products are eligible for BEYOND+ benefits. While some exclusions apply (popular brands like Le Creuset, Dyson, and Kenneth Cole aren’t discountable, in addition to most baby products), for $29 a year, the membership essentially pays for itself. You can find all their offer exclusions on the terms and conditions page.

 

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“For just $29 a year, our members receive 20% off their entire in-store and online purchases with free standard shipping.”

You Can Book an Appointment With a Pro Shopping Associate

The one surprising Bed Bath & Beyond fact Joyce loves to tell friends and dedicated shoppers?

“We have expert associates in every store! From ensuring you have everything you need to build a home as a married couple, to helpful advice on preparing for a move. You can walk in or schedule an appointment with one of our experts.”

No, personal shoppers aren’t just a thing at luxury department stores. Bed Bath & Beyond’s in-store consultation program is particularly useful if you’re embarking on a major milestone—like going off to college or getting married—and are already feeling overwhelmed.  Once you’ve booked your meeting online, a personal associate will guide you through the store to help you build your registry or gather any bulk essentials.

 

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You Can Find Chic-Looking Furniture in the “Beyond”

We have so much more beyond the store walls that most wouldn’t think we carried,” suggests Joyce. Although we tend to resort to Bed Bath & Beyond for more common household goods (like toasters, mattress pads, and bath towels), you can actually snag affordable furniture, rugs, and decorative goods in the store as well.

“If a sign doesn’t match the ticket price the lower price will be honored and if the ticket price does not match the price at the register the lower price will be honored.”

Cashiers Will Honor the Lower Price If a Ticket Doesn’t Match a Sign  

While approaching your shopping experience from a competitor price match perspective is one budget-friendly workaround, you can also compete against actual Bed Bath & Beyond prices. That is if you’re savvy enough to catch a mistake. Ever find yourself paying double for something at checkout because the price was labeled wrong on the shelf? As long as you catch the mix-up, employees will honor the lower price

“If a sign doesn’t match the ticket price the lower price will be honored and if the ticket price does not match the price at the register the lower price will be honored,” reveals former Bed Bath & Beyond employee and Reddit user, r/frugal.

 

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Discounts Tend to Drop at One Month Intervals

The general rule of thumb when it comes to Bed Bath & Beyond’s discount schedule? According to user this1neguy, clearance prices usually drop from 20% to 33% to 50% to 75% at one-month intervals, “assuming the person in the store who does them isn’t buried in new arrivals.”

If you’re patiently waiting for a significant price fall, remember that it never hurts to ask! This1neguy adds that most employees are happy to give you a general idea of when the next price slash will be. But don’t wait too long for something to drop, as it will probably be off the shelf by the time you’re prepared to make your purchase. “Once I got to a position with more responsibility, I would occasionally just escalate a percentage off if something looked like it was just gonna sit. Bear in mind that if you wait, you might miss out if someone decides to pick the item up,” he writes.

They Will Accept Expired Coupons

But, only if it’s not an online coupon. “Most stores will take expired coupons if they are the ones sent in the mail (the big, blue 20% off of one item coupon, the 20% off of your entire purchase coupon, the $5 off of $15 coupon or the $10 off of $30 coupon),” reveals r/frugal.

“Once I got to a position with more responsibility, I would occasionally just escalate a percentage off if something looked like it was just gonna sit.”

There Essentially Is a Lifetime Guarantee Return Policy

BB&B fact: No matter when you bought it, you can almost always return it. For most products, they’ll take it back after on year of purchase. For the company’s exclusive brand items, however, you’ll typically have up to 5 years to return it. Pretty great, right? While you do need a receipt or the card you used to make the transaction to make a return, you don’t need anything in order to make an exchange or get store credit. 

“A woman brought back an iron because as she was ironing her shirt she ironed the plastic letters on the front of her shirt, melting the plastic on to her iron and ‘damaging” it.’ She got a new iron,” writes r/frugal.

For more details, you can check out the company’s return policies here.

Curious what Bed Bath and Beyond employees would buy for themselves? Below, Joyce shares a few pieces and collections she swears by:

Artisanal Kitchen Supply cast iron and serverware products range from $9.99 – $89.99

From a simple mini skillet to an enameled Dutch oven, the retailer’s cast iron cookware staples are a great solution for the budget-conscious cook.

Wamsutta PimaCott bedding, sheet and comforter sets range from $59.99 – $149.99

What would Bed Bath & Beyond be without silky smooth bedding? “It’s made with verified pure Pima cotton grown in the San Joaquin Valley,” says Joyce of their Wamsutta collection.

Olivia & Oliver flatware and dinnerware, $4.99 – $199.99

“The effortlessly elegant and chic Olivia & Oliver collection includes modern, organic shaped fine bone china creating a beautiful tablescape,” says Joyce.

“Our kitchen gadget section alone has so many fantastic items that you never knew you needed (like the cherry pitter). You’re going to wonder how you ever lived without it!”

Progressive Cherry Pitter, $14.99

“Our kitchen gadget section alone has so many fantastic items that you never knew you needed (like the cherry pitter). You’re going to wonder how you ever lived without it!” laughs Joyce.

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