Quiz: Can you sense a bargain?

OK, readers, how closely have you been reading my tips over the past dozen years? Do you find yourself saying "I already knew that" or did you just hop on the deal-spotter bandwagon in the new economy? Test your shopping sense:

1. Which retailer(s) will match competitors' advertised prices?

A. Wal-Mart B. Target C. Cub and Rainbow D. Best Buy

2. Which supermarket(s) accept expired coupons?

A. Byerly's and Lunds

B. Cub Foods

C. Kowalski's

3. Name the computer repair shop(s) that Twin Cities Consumers' Checkbook rated tops for high quality and low prices.

A. Apple stores in Mall of America and Southdale

B. Chip Heads in Richfield and St. Paul

C. First Tech in Minneapolis

D. General Nanosystems in Minneapolis

A. Brand Name Deals in Fridley

B. Discount 70 in Columbia Heights

C. Big Harry Deals in Brookdale

D. Bargain Seeker in Brooklyn Park

5. Name the product that rinses a sun protection factor into your clothes in the washing machine.

A. St. Agnes Baking Co. in St. Paul

B. Lofthouse in Fridley

C. Sara Lee/Tastee locations

D. Wonder Bread/Hostess locations

7. Name the two programs that sell food at discounts of 40 percent or more to struggling Twin Cities families.

A. Downtowner in St. Paul

B. Mermaid Car Wash in Golden Valley

C. Dan's Nicollet Car Wash in Minneapolis

D. Paradise Car Wash in Eagan

9. Which has the lowest prices on uninsured prescriptions?

B. Costco or Sam's Club

C. White Drug in Fargo

D. Minnesota Senior Federation

10. Some neighborhood pharmacies will match the lower prices of a discount pharmacy, but why is it cheaper to buy from the latter?

11. How much does a DirectBuy membership cost?

B. $500

C. $2,000

D. $4,500

12. Which of these retailers has a clearance outlet in the Twin Cities?

A. Talbot's

C. Crate & Barrel

D. Cabela's

13. Where's the best place to find high-end sheets at a discount?

A. Tuesday Morning

B. Bloomingdale's

D. Euro AM in Edina

14. Which sells U.S. flags for July 4th?

A. Joanne's

B. Michael's

C. Target

15. When are disposable razors typically on sale?

A. Spring

B. Summer

C. Fall

D. Winter

2. B. Cub Foods accepts manufacturers' coupons up to 90 days past the expiration date.

3. D. General Nanosystems (612-331-3690, www.generalnanosystems. com). The others rated high for quality but average on price at www.checkbook.org.

4. A and B. BND (763-572-9800) and Discount 70 (763-781-9822) sell returns from warehouse clubs that charge an annual fee.

5. Rit Sun Guard ($2 to $4) adds a 30 UPF into clothing. It's cheaper than buying clothes with a UPF. Available at Michael's and Amazon.com.

6. A. C and D sell private-label bread for close to $1, but Lofthouse's $1 prices are exceptional.

8. All are correct. Check for details at Downtowner (651-222-7045, www. downtownercarwash.com), Mermaid (763-544-9700), Dan's Nicollet (612-869-5812, www.danscarwash.com) and Paradise in Eagan, Savage, Apple Valley and Bloomington (952-431-4600, www.paradisecarwash.com).

9. C. White Drug in Fargo accepts a lower profit for uninsured prescriptions. Call Bonnie at 1-866-903-5720. Costco, Sam's Club and the Minnesota Senior Federation (651-783-5045) can be price-competitive. Walgreens and CVS are rarely price-competitive, based on my research.

10. If no one buys prescriptions at the discount pharmacy, it closes. When the pharmacies willing to accept a lower profit go under, prices go back up.

11. D. DirectBuy, whose customers buy at wholesale plus shipping and fees, would not confirm current prices, but in 2007 it was $4,500 plus $100 per year. DirectBuy (DirectBuy.com) has locations in Bloomington and White Bear Lake. Membership prices vary around the country.

12. B. The Sportsman's Guide outlet (490 Hardman Av., South St. Paul, 651-552-5248, www.sportmansguide.com) is a sleeper. Talbot's closed its Burnsville outlet this year. Cabela's has a bargain cave in Owatonna and Rogers. Crate & Barrel outlet? Dream on. The closest one is in Chicago.

14. All sell flags. For more specialized needs, check yellow-page directories under "Flags and Flagpoles."

15. B. Blogger Carrie Rocha (www. pocketyourdollars.com) says toiletries and groceries have seasonal sales cycles. Watch for summer sales on disposable razors, paper plates, napkins, barbecue sauce and salad dressing. In the winter, oatmeal, cough drops and cold medicine are cheaper.