How to bag a bargain in the sales

The January sales are a misnamed affair. It used to be that they started on Boxing Day, but now they begin online before the last shop has even closed on Christmas Eve.

Last year almost 8 out of 10 people spent an average of £150 each in the sales, according to research by the website TopCashback.co.uk. This year there has been a growing backlash against the sales and an online petition calling for Boxing Day to be a “day of rest” that shop workers can spend with their families has attracted well over 100,000 signatures.

Having said that, there are also some shoppers sharing tips online for being first in store (apparently for Next it’s a good idea to start queuing at 3am Boxing Day).

For those shoppers who don’t want to spend Christmas night camping outside their retailer of choice, we’ve found these tips on getting the most out of the sales… no matter how busy it gets.

Know when the sales open

Not everyone starts their sale on Boxing Day, so if you want a specific item or the widest possible choice of goods, then it’s a good idea to check exactly when different retailers drop their prices.

Abbie Dickinson, a spokesperson for the cashback website Quidco, says: “Big-name retailers including M&S, Currys and House of Fraser surprised us last year by starting their Boxing Day sales 48 hours early, on Christmas Eve. As soon as the window closes for getting gifts delivered in time for Christmas, prices start dropping online.”

Keep your existing purchases in mind

It’s frustrating to buy something and then spot it in the sale for half the price, so it’s worth asking if a retailer will price match a product you’ve already bought – the worst they can do is say no. Andy Webb, spokesperson for the Money Advice Service, suggests: “If you buy an item over the Christmas period, keep checking to see if prices fall during the January sales – you can often ask for a price match, or even return it and buy again.”

Sara Griffiths, a former presenter for QVC, agrees, saying: “If you buy something at full price and then shortly after, before using it, find it has been reduced, it's entirely legitimate to return it for a full refund, and then, if there’s more of the same item available, rebuy the item at the reduced price.

Look for slight faults

Sometimes items are in the sale because they are slightly damaged but this can work in the favour of shoppers who don’t mind stitching a button back on at home.

Mike Meade, a spokesperson at the website 360 Voucher Codes, says: “Obviously you want to buy goods that are fit for purpose, but if the packaging is damaged or there’s a loose thread on a piece of clothing, is it really going to make any difference to you? These types of items can be haggled down a lot as they are technically faulty products and many shoppers won’t buy them so retailers are happy to discount them heavily.”

And if the discount doesn’t seem substantial enough, he recommends haggling. “Retailers expect it and you would be amazed how many times you can get an extra 10 per cent off at the till just by asking.”

Don’t buy from dodgy sellers

You might be in a rush to buy a bargain, but that doesn’t mean forgetting the basic checks, especially online. James Westlake, managing director of Trustpilot, recommends: “Before hitting the sales this year, take a moment to do some research and check what other consumers are saying about the retailer you are thinking of buying from. Spending five minutes looking at a retailer’s website, social media or at a third-party review site before making a purchase could save you hours of hassle on the high street.”

Get technology on your side

There are a number of apps that can help you identify genuine bargains in the sales. Natasha Rachel Smith, of the website TopCashback, recommends: “You can also use price-drop alert sites such as Love Sales or Notifyy which allow you to add items from online retailers to your 'wish list' and they will send you an alert when the price drops.

“Follow your favourite retailers on social media, sign up for their newsletters and engage with them. Many brands throw private flash sales to their followers as a reward.”

Many retailers will also send sales alerts and even special offers out to customers on their distribution lists, so it can be worth signing up for their emails even if you unsubscribe shortly afterwards.

Know your rights

Finally, it is important to understand exactly what rights you have in a sale. Your consumer rights are not affected if you buy an item in the sale and you will still be able to return faulty items. However, it’s up to the retailer whether it accepts returns on non-faulty items; most are willing to accept returns generally but they may place restrictions during the sales.

Griffiths adds: “Check carefully what the retailer's policy is for returning sale goods – they often differ. Some may refund in full, but others may insist on a credit note. If there's any possibility you may want to return the item, check beforehand.”