Surviving the sales with your wallet intact
Big, store-wide sales are the name of the game for larger chain stores these days but not every deal is as good as it seems. Follow our hot tips to get the best out of their sales.
When Julia & I started Best Buys there were some products that you just never saw on sale. Bugaboo, Leander, Stokke and many other high end products were never discounted.
With the introduction of more competition and retailers' desires to keep you buying, you can find any baby product discounted if you’re patient.
Now there’s nothing wrong with a bit of retail therapy if you can afford it but if it’s a budget you’ve got to stick to or you just want to buy well here’s our hot tips.
Don’t let the bargain fool you!
Lots of people, including myself, think that if you’re buying something on special then you’re making a saving. That’s not true if you're buying a product you never use or doesn’t suit your needs.
It’s always better to pay a higher price for a product you get more use from than compromise because another product is on sale.
Research will save you time & money
Never go to a sale to browse. Before you head into the store check the catalogue and know what products you want to buy beforehand. If you’ve got time compare prices online to make sure you’re getting a good deal.
Do your research first, choose your product then wait for the right price.
Choose your sale
Product specific sales are great if a particular product you want is discounted. However % off sales offer you a wider choice in products. Also they often include products that are not usually discounted.
Don’t get suckered in
Many chain stores scatter their advertised specials all over the store to encourage you to wander around and make impulse purchases. Ask a sales assistant to point you in the right direction or find your product.
Pay cash
Need I point out if you use credit for your bargain buy, the interest may end up costing you more than the saving? Most chain stores offer great lay-by services that are worth taking advantage of.
Sometimes it's worth paying for service
Buying well doesn’t always mean getting a discounted price. Sometimes knowing that you’ll get a great level of service is worth paying extra for. If you pay a premium price for a quality product you also get a premium service if something goes wrong.
BB4B Buying Tip
Just because a retailer tells you the original price is an RRP (recommended retail price) doesn’t make it true. Some distributors allow retailers to determine their own RRP so they vary from store to store.
BB4B Value Tip
Just because a product is in a catalogue with the word ‘sale’ in the title doesn’t mean that it’s discounted. It’s becoming more and more popular for products to be branded as a ‘great price’, ‘special deal’ in catalgoues with no actual reduction in price.
