Whether you need clothing, home decor, bedding, or even toys for your kids, you can find what you need at Kohl’s. But that doesn’t mean it’s always the best place for you to buy it.
The retailer undoubtedly offers great deals on some of its items, especially for those who have a store credit card and take advantage of Kohl’s cash. But even with these ways to save, you’re probably better off buying the following seven things elsewhere.
1. Toys
If you’ve been to Kohl’s recently, you may have been eyeing up the toy department to see if it has anything on your kids’ holiday wish lists. But you’re better off checking retailers like Walmart, Amazon, or Target for these items.
Toys aren’t Kohl’s main business and stores don’t have a large toy section, so it’s missing a lot of popular toys. More frustrating is the fact that you can’t use Kohl’s coupons on these items.
If you decide to buy toys at Kohl’s anyway, you could save a little by using the retailer’s credit card. Or if you want a card that offers broader rewards redemption, consider opening a cash back credit card that offers rewards on all your purchases. Some of them even offer bonus rewards on department store purchases, which may include Kohl’s.
2. Name-brand athletic wear
Kohl’s sells popular athletic name brands, including Nike, Under Armour, and Adidas. But these brands also aren’t coupon-eligible. You may be able to save a little if you buy these items on sale, but you’re probably better off purchasing them from another clothing retailer or even directly from the manufacturers themselves.
3. Electronics
Some of Kohl’s home goods, including its small appliances, are high quality and reasonably priced. But the selection for electronics is more limited. And, you guessed it, you can’t use coupons on these either. Consider shopping for these items online or from a retailer like Best Buy that specializes in electronics.
4. Baby and toddler clothing
I have bought baby and toddler clothes from Kohl’s before, and while the items I got were cute, I always felt the sting in my savings account when I shopped there. I’ve personally been able to find items from the same brand — Carter’s — cheaper at retailers like Walmart than at Kohl’s. So I try to minimize how often I buy things there now.
In addition to Carter’s, Kohl’s offers Jumping Bean clothes. But both of these brands are also absent from Kohl’s coupon-eligible brands list. This is another case where you can probably do better shopping online, at another large retailer, or a store that specializes in baby gear.
5. Furniture
Kohl’s probably isn’t your first thought anyway when considering where to buy furniture for your home. It does have some pieces though. However, you can get a bigger bang for your buck if you shop at an actual furniture store. If you’re on a budget, consider a retailer like IKEA or even Target to find some great deals.
6. Shoes
Kohl’s has a decent-sized shoe department. But as we’ve already covered, the chain excludes many popular tennis shoe brands, like Nike and Adidas, from its coupon list. There’s no harm in visiting the store to try on shoes and see which you like best. But when it comes time to order, consider going to a shoe store or ordering from an online retailer like Zappos that specializes in shoes.
7. Gift wrap
You might be tempted to pick up gift wrap at Kohl’s while you’re making your holiday purchases. It’s definitely more convenient than visiting another retailer to buy wrapping paper and boxes. But it’s probably not your most affordable option. Consider getting these items at Walmart, Target, or another store that sells it cheaper.
No matter what you’re buying, it doesn’t hurt to compare prices between a few retailers before deciding where you’d like to buy from. This is especially important if the item you’re looking to buy is a little expensive. It only takes a few minutes and it could save you a lot of money.
