Bargain bin
Encyclopedia
A bargain bin refers to an unsorted selection of merchandise
, particularly softwares, tool
s and CD
s, which have been discounted in price. Reasons for the discount can range from the closure of a production company to a steep decline in an item's popularity in the aftermath of a fad
or scandal
. Another reason for the discount can be the particular product line being discontinued. The origin of the term comes from the fact such items would be found in an isolated bin rather than on store shelves.
The phrase "bargain basement" is a now a synonym
. "Bargain basement" used to be a literal basement in downtown department stores who would place clearance
merchandise there regardless of which section of the store it originally came from.
The phrase "Bargain Basement" was also used figuratively to describe the purchase of professional footballers from clubs in lower divisions by richer clubs for a low fee.
In more recent years, both terms have taken on a figurative meaning - most notably as a synonym for 'low-quality' or 'unimpressive'. The most common implication of an item's presence in a bargain bin is its low quality. "Knock-offs", for example, are associated with the term.
The term "Bargain bin" is used in New Zealand, Australia, and some other countries to refer to a retailer whose primary function is to sell cheap goods (i.e., a Variety store).
Product (business)
In general, the product is defined as a "thing produced by labor or effort" or the "result of an act or a process", and stems from the verb produce, from the Latin prōdūce ' lead or bring forth'. Since 1575, the word "product" has referred to anything produced...
, particularly softwares, tool
Tool
A tool is a device that can be used to produce an item or achieve a task, but that is not consumed in the process. Informally the word is also used to describe a procedure or process with a specific purpose. Tools that are used in particular fields or activities may have different designations such...
s and CD
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
s, which have been discounted in price. Reasons for the discount can range from the closure of a production company to a steep decline in an item's popularity in the aftermath of a fad
FAD
In biochemistry, flavin adenine dinucleotide is a redox cofactor involved in several important reactions in metabolism. FAD can exist in two different redox states, which it converts between by accepting or donating electrons. The molecule consists of a riboflavin moiety bound to the phosphate...
or scandal
Scandal
A scandal is a widely publicized allegation or set of allegations that damages the reputation of an institution, individual or creed...
. Another reason for the discount can be the particular product line being discontinued. The origin of the term comes from the fact such items would be found in an isolated bin rather than on store shelves.
The phrase "bargain basement" is a now a synonym
Synonym
Synonyms are different words with almost identical or similar meanings. Words that are synonyms are said to be synonymous, and the state of being a synonym is called synonymy. The word comes from Ancient Greek syn and onoma . The words car and automobile are synonyms...
. "Bargain basement" used to be a literal basement in downtown department stores who would place clearance
Closeout
A closeout or clearance is the final sale of an item or items to zero inventory. It may be a given model of item that is not selling well, or in the case of the final closure of a retailer because of a relocation, a fire , or especially because of a bankruptcy. In the latter case, it is usually...
merchandise there regardless of which section of the store it originally came from.
The phrase "Bargain Basement" was also used figuratively to describe the purchase of professional footballers from clubs in lower divisions by richer clubs for a low fee.
In more recent years, both terms have taken on a figurative meaning - most notably as a synonym for 'low-quality' or 'unimpressive'. The most common implication of an item's presence in a bargain bin is its low quality. "Knock-offs", for example, are associated with the term.
The term "Bargain bin" is used in New Zealand, Australia, and some other countries to refer to a retailer whose primary function is to sell cheap goods (i.e., a Variety store).
See also
- Inferior goodInferior goodIn consumer theory, an inferior good is a good that decreases in demand when consumer income rises, unlike normal goods, for which the opposite is observed. Normal goods are those for which consumers' demand increases when their income increases....
- Variety store
- Filene's BasementFilene's BasementFilene's Basement, also called The Basement, is a Massachusetts-based chain of department stores which was owned by Retail Ventures, Inc. until April 2009 when it was sold to Syms....