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It's hard to imagine life without Target. We visit the store for groceries , clothes and homewares – and sometimes just to browse the shelves while sipping a Starbucks drink that we pick up at the front of the store. Target often offers big savings, especially if you go to the sale section, but there's a secret to finding things even cheaper: Target salvage stores. Not sure what it is? You'll want to listen! Read on for social media users' best finds at these lesser-known stores, and find out how to locate the nearest salvage center so you can start closing deals.

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We can't blame you if you've never heard of a Target salvage store before. For one thing, they don't all have the same name and some offer other brands in addition to Target. Common salvage chain stores include Dirt Cheap, Bargain Hunt, Goodwill, Big Deal Outlet, and Falling Prices.

"They'll have salvage items from various retailers, so don't expect to see only Target items," says Julie Ramhold , consumer analyst at the shopping comparison site DealNews.com.

So where do these stores get their products? “Target salvage stores are basically retailers that offer Target products at deeply discounted prices,” says Ramhold. “They acquire these products by buying pallets of returns as well as items that Target stores were unable to sell for whatever reason, such as if something was just too unpopular or they had too much stock. ."

And it turns out they are on the rise. "Consumers are looking for ways to save money when they shop, and while that's true, whether you're buying necessities like groceries or new clothes, it's also common that shoppers are also finding ways to save on items that aren't necessary, like home décor products,” Ramhold says. “These stores are growing in popularity as an alternative to more traditional thrift or consignment stores and can offer recognizable branded products at deep discounts that discerning shoppers find hard to beat."

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Because salvage stores don't have just one name, you have to get creative to find them.

Instagram user @thatoutletgirl suggests searching Google for the following keywords as well as the words “near me”: Target wholesale, Target palette, Target palettes for sale, Target surplus, Target bin store, Target salvage store, Target overstock, Target half off, Target liquidation store, or Target warehouse.

You can also ask a salesperson at your local Target if they know of any nearby, or see if there is a chain of salvage stores in the area.

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TikTok user @beautifully_candid said she found the best deals at her salvage store on shoes, which ranged from $1.50 to $3.50. "I wasn't sure what to expect when I walked in and I was definitely overwhelmed, but in a good way," she says.

Another TikTok user , Ash Huber , found Target-branded homewares, such as hampers, for $12 (down from $20), swimsuits for $5 that were also free, and sheet sets for $70 ( down $110). "Anything you find at Target, you'll probably find in those stores," she says.

Shoppers mention that the organization of each salvage store differs: while some are neat and organized, others are piles of bins to rummage through.

Ramhold notes that inventory will also vary by location. “Some targets may struggle to sell certain categories, like table lamps, while others may have excess inventory of rugs, dinnerware, or furniture,” she explains. "However, virtually any non-perishable, non-edible food could potentially be sold, so salvage stores may also offer seasonal decorations, holiday items, playground items, clothing, bedding, small appliances, kitchen utensils, toys, health and beauty items, and even electronics, among others.

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While it's always nice to get a good deal, Ramhold explains that there are some items you might want to pass on to a salvage store. ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb

If you see something like an item of clothing or an accessory a few seasons old for 25 cents, it might be worth grabbing it, but if you see a small kitchen appliance, like a coffee maker, for 25 cents, I'd be "I'm more hesitant to buy something like this, just because the price can be indicative of the condition of the item," she says. "Even in salvage stores, if an offer seems way too good to be true, then it's probably worth at least inspecting it very carefully to see if there are any glaring problems you can discern. ."