Love a bargain? Look forward to Black Friday, Cyber Monday or Christmas? You’re not alone.
Everyone loves the idea of saving money and seasonal sales are a great time of year for that.
We go from Halloween where some stores have sales to Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) where most stores have sales to Christmas where everyone has sales.
All within a space of a few weeks!
But how can you make sure you’re actually getting a good deal with seasonal sales?
Most of us know that retailers aren’t afraid of trying to trick us.
They use offers that aren’t quite as good as they seem or sell items they don’t usually stock purely for sales (looking at you Next).
To help with that, I have put together some quick tips to help.
Shopping tips for sales season
Here are some simple, actionable tips everyone can use to ensure they are getting the deal they think they are.
Research before the sale
If you’re anything like me, you’ll be creating a shopping list ahead of Black Friday or Christmas with the items you plan to buy.
That’s great news if you do as it can help prevent impulse buys.
It’s also good news because you can check the current non-sale price. Record the price somewhere you can access it during the sales and keep it safe.
I also recommend recording what stores offer the product at what price.
When the sales arrive, you can use the data you recorded to see just how much you’re saving.
Consumer group Which? did a study of Black Friday deals and found 99. 5% of products in sales where available cheaper at other times of the year.
That’s why research is key.
Use Camelcamelcamel to research Amazon price history and Pricerunner for other stores.
Create accounts and a wish list
If you’re targeting something specific for a seasonal sale and know exactly where to get it, make sure you have an account created beforehand.
Websites get bogged down on sale days so it’s best to do the heavy lifting while things are quieter.
Some store websites allow you to create wish lists. If the store you plan to buy from has that facility, use it.
Rather than having to find the product on the website when everyone else is trying to do the same, you can simply open your wish list and purchase directly from there.
It’s a small advantage, but every advantage counts on sale day!
Get cashback on purchases
If you’re planning to spend a bit of money during seasonal sales, why not earn a little back at the same time?
If you have a cashback credit card, use that. As long as you pay off the balance before interest is due, you’ll get a little free money to help pay for everything.
If you don’t have, or don’t want a cashback credit card, cashback sites like Quidco and Topcashback both provide modest cashback offers with leading retailers.
Don’t be tempted to spend just to get a little cashback though, we’re supposed to be saving!
Look at the price and not the discount
It’s very common for people to concentrate on percentage of discount rather than the headline price.
I would recommend doing it the other way round. After all, the only one that makes a material difference is the price you pay.
Plus, with all the pricing games stores play, there’s nothing to say the discount amount or percentage is true anyway!
If you have ever bought furniture or carpet, you’ll know that some types of stores will have sales more often than they won’t. While there is complicated legislation in place to control pricing and sales, there are always loopholes.
It isn’t just furniture or carpets though. Many stores resort to sales when times are tough.
It muddies the waters a lot and renders just looking at the discount pointless.
Check returns policies
Most stores have customer-friendly returns policies where you can get a refund on goods if you return them for any reason. As long as they are in original condition complete with packaging, you’ll often get your money back.
That isn’t always the case though. It isn’t a legal right either.
If you’re shopping at a smaller store during seasonal sales, make sure to check the returns policy beforehand.
Click and collect
If the store you’re buying from doesn’t offer refunds on non-faulty goods, consider buying it online and collecting in person.
You can get it delivered of course, but some retailers will have the item in stock ready for collection within hours rather than a couple of days.
This still brings you under the Distance Selling Regulations and gives you a 14 day cooling off period after a purchase. You can get a refund on any product for any reason as long as it’s in original condition with packaging.
Shop early
Some retailers offer early Black Friday deals or early Christmas savings. If the retailer you’re targeting does that, keep an eye on their website.
You may be able to get in ahead of the crowd and grab your item before it sells out.
It’s a risk though as you don’t know how other retailers are going to discount that same item, if it’s sold elsewhere that is.
Also shop early in the day. Get up early, have a tea or coffee, a little breakfast and hit the sales.
Your willpower will be strongest early in the day and you can beat the queues or bag your bargain while still in stock.
Shopping savvy during sales season
Sales season is a great time of year but it isn’t all good news. You have to shop savvy and prepare in advance to make sure you’re getting the deal you think you are.
Follow these tips and you should avoid the worst tricks some retailers play and secure what you need for less.
Good luck out there!
