10 Shopping Slang Terms Every Savvy Shopper Should Know

Shopping slang

Ready to hit the stores or surf online deals? You are bound to see some peculiar shopping slang that can make even seasoned shoppers scratch their heads. From classic buzzwords to trendy deal-day acronyms, these terms are meant to pump up consumers' enthusiasm, hint at hidden discounts, or add a little urgency to shoppers' carts. Here's a list of ten shopping slang terms you will likely encounter—and knowing them might just give you the edge on snagging great deals!

1. BOGO

A popular shopping acronym that refers to promotional deals where a customer receives a second item for free or at a discounted price after purchasing the first (also appears as B1G1, B2G1, B2G2, etc.). You'll likely see it in retail advertising to encourage bulk purchases or draw attention to specific products.

2. Freebie

A promotional item or product given away at no cost, often as part of a marketing campaign or to attract customers. Common examples include free samples, branded merchandise, or complimentary services offered at a store when you show up or purchase an item as part of a sale.

3. BNPL

A payment method that allows consumers to purchase items upfront and pay for them over time, often in installments. This service is popular in online shopping, giving customers flexibility while helping merchants boost sales (offered by companies like Afterpay, Klarna, and Affirm).

4. OBO

An acronym commonly seen in online marketplaces that indicates the seller is open to negotiating the price of an item. Buyers can suggest a lower price, and the seller may accept, reject, or counter the offer.

OBO meme

5. BIFL

A term used by consumers (often on shopping subs) who prioritize purchasing high-quality products that are durable and long-lasting. The goal is to invest in items that can endure years of use, often reducing the need for replacements (saving you money in the long run) and minimizing waste.

6. BIN

A term used on online shopping platforms like eBay to indicate a fixed-price listing where a buyer can immediately purchase an item without bidding. It simplifies transactions by allowing buyers to instantly secure products at the seller's price. You can find even more online auction slang by checking out our complete list.

7. BF

The major shopping event that takes place the day after Thanksgiving in the United States, known for significant discounts and promotional sales (especially by those looking for retail therapy after a stessful family gathering). It marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season (although Christmas creep is changing that), with retailers offering sleighloads of special deals in-store and online.

BF deal posted on X

8. CM

An online shopping event held the Monday after Thanksgiving, offering significant discounts on various products. It was created as an extension of Black Friday, targeting online shoppers with exclusive deals and promotions (and increasing global cases of primenesia).

9. BFCM

An extended shopping period that includes both Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Retailers offer a combination of in-store and online sales, often with major discounts, starting on Black Friday, lasting through the weekend, and concluding at the end of Cyber Monday (likely leading to even more amazombies).

10. Doorbuster

A special, limited-time offer, typically released at the start of a sales event, such as Black Friday, to attract customers into stores or onto websites. These deals (made popular by J.C. Penney) often feature significant discounts on popular products and are heavily advertised in holiday shopping promotions.

Doorbuster meme

Did we miss any shopping slang? If so, we don't issue refunds but we'd love to hear what we missed. :) Let us know!