How to Get the Best Deals at the Boxing Day Sales
Many of us resolve not to leave our Christmas shopping until the last minute, and inevitably we are at the shops on Christmas Eve crossing the last few things off our list – it is then that we renew that resolve to do things differently next year. Getting ready for next Christmas is just one reason we feel compelled to hit the Boxing Day sales, not to mention the prices are just too good to pass up. However, since you are tearing yourself away from your family, your new gifts and the leftover turkey, you want to make sure the trip to the Boxing Day sales is worthwhile, and that you know how to get the best deals.
Before the Sales
Getting the best deal at the post Christmas sales takes a little preparation before the big day. You of course need to start by setting yourself a budget, because no matter how well prices an item is, it’s not a good deal if you can’t afford it. As you’re considering your budget, think about what you really want to get out of the sales, is there a particular item you really want or need? This will also help you focus when you get to the stores and are surrounded by flashing lights and flashy salespeople telling you what you want and need.
If you’ve already been out and about at the stores in the lead up to Christmas you should have been paying attention to the prices at the stores at the time. Then when you go back to those stores in the Boxing Day sales you’ll know what is a good price and what is just made to look like a special promotion. As you do your reconnaissance also take note of the items that you want to add to your sales shopping list, which stores and complexes they’re at, and where they’re located in the store. This will help you plan your shopping day so you aren’t slowed down by the rush of the sales. Plus, even though there will be a lot of people at the sales, getting to the stores early and waiting in line for them to open means you will be among the first to pick from the sales items.
You can also often start your post Christmas shopping research online as while not all stores will actually open on Boxing Day – often the day after – they will post their sales and catalogues on their websites so you can start comparing prices. You’ll also be able to find out about exact opening times so you don’t miss the doors going up.
At the Sales
You’re now ready to enter the fray of the frazzled post Christmas shoppers, but you’re armed with research and information, so you are now able to use the following tips from a position of power to secure the best Boxing Day sales deals:
Get to the stores early. A lot of people head out to the Boxing Day sales and if you want to scoop up the best bargains, no matter what is on your shopping list, you’ll want to get there early.
Be cool. If you are able to stay calm and collected in the crush of people then you will be able to find the items on your post Christmas shopping list, you’ll know which are the best prices and you will have a successful day – after all you don’t want to go to the effort of going to the sales only to come home empty handed because you were to flustered by the crowds and the hype to remember why you came.
Shop for next Christmas. You shouldn’t be buying things at the sales that you don’t need as that doesn’t make for a good deal, but if you can think about the gifts you want to give your family and friends next Christmas, or throughout the year for their birthdays or other celebrations, then you can stock up on some amazing bargain items.
Search the stores thoroughly. Whether or not there is a particular sale item you are looking for, don’t just skim through shelves or product bins at the sales, because you never know what could be hidden just behind that board game or trench coat you’d never dream of buying.
Don’t leave items behind. If you find something you want to buy at the sales but you think it might be cheaper elsewhere, or you want to think about it, don’t try and hide it in the store or at the back of a shelf somewhere. There are plenty of people who will be taking the advice in the point above and doing a thorough search of all the shelves looking for the perfect bargain, and they could just snap up your carefully selected item.
Discontinued items. This is particularly common when it comes to electronics, as many games consoles or models of TV will have a set shelf life, and need to be cleared in order to make way for the new models. Therefore, retailers genuinely need to clear this sort of stock quickly and so the sales on these items will usually be genuine discounts.
After the Sales
Just because you’ve made it home from the store doesn’t mean your Boxing Day sales experience is over. You should always try and keep up to date with what the retailers are doing throughout the entire post Christmas period. For example, new sale stock may be released, items may have been returned or simply rearranged so there could be items you didn’t see in your first swoop of the stores on Boxing Day, but it can be worth a follow up visit a few days later.
About the author:
Alban has been writing on frugality for the last 3 years. He also offers tips and advice on high interest online savings account