Central Ohio Home & Garden Show: Deals Abound for Careful Shoppers

This weekend, purveyors of all things related will descend upon the Ohio Expo Center for the Central Ohio Home & Garden Show. For homeowners looking for advice or products for a remodeling project or creating the perfect outdoor oasis, this is the place to be.

The lineup includes eight days of demonstrations from gardening experts and decorating gurus as well as appearances by celebrities and notable Columbus chefs. Great deals can be found via the vendor booths for everything from kitchen counters to fences and decks. All of the information overload - and high-pressure sales tactics - could lead someone looking for a deal to sign on the bottom line too soon.

Follow these steps to possibly prevent buyer's remorse at the Central Ohio Home & Garden Show Saturday February 26 through Sunday March 6.

If time and distance allow, make two trips

Yes, the admission fee to the Home & Garden Show is $12 for everyone over the age of 12 (unless you take advantage of this $2 discount coupon) and Expo Center parking is $5. However, if you leave your credit card behind and window shop with the salespeople during a visit the first weekend, you have time to compare all the offerings.

Even the companies that are giving away promotional goodies are at the show for one reason - to sell their product or service. They will inevitably offer some great deals during the run of the show. Who knows? If sales are slow through the week, they may be more willing to bargain on the final day. If the "special pricing" is that big of a savings, it could more than make up for the cost of a return trip.

Do your homework

If you've decided to not buy on your first visit, take the time between to clearly research your options. With 17 Deck/Fence vendors listed in the online Show guide, you have plenty of companies to choose from to build your dream deck.

Ask your co-workers, families and friends if they've ever heard of the company. Call the Better Business Bureau and conduct your own Internet search.

Buy local

Although touted as the "Central Ohio" Home & Garden Show, there are vendors from out-of-state listed in the online guide. Do you want to deal with a potential problem with a contractor from another state?

If you are buying an item that is on-hand at the show such as garden tools or craft items, you can examine it before you buy it. For large items that are on display for ordering, sticking with a local manufacturer means less resolution time if a problem arises when the product arrives.

The Central Ohio Home & Garden Show opens Saturday at 10:00 am at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus. From Interstate 71, exit onto 17th Avenue and head west. The show runs everyday through March 6 except Monday, February 28. For more information regarding demonstrations and celebrity appearances as well as discount coupons, visit the official website.

Debbie Henthorn has a love affair with her life-long home of central Ohio. Whether she's being a cheerleader for locally owned business or shaking her head at political shenanigans, Debbie likes to share the good, the bad and the ugly about life in central Ohio.