These days, the January sales start before Christmas. You might even be able to shop them and pay for Christmas Eve delivery so you can wrap and give as Christmas Day gifts. But how do we shop the sales? Are there any tips? What should we do and what should we not do? Let’s take a look.
Poor Christmas Trading
One of the first things to understand is that there have been details published that retailers have had a pretty poor Christmas trade. This might be due to how Black Friday fell and the time between the Cyber Weekend and the few days before Christmas. There are a few different reasons thrown into the pot. But this is good for buyers. Retailers NEED to sell stuff. They need to keep their businesses afloat so expect discounts a plenty!
Do You Need It?
Before yo buy ANYTHING, ask yourself if you need it. Do you really need to buy a new toaster or is the one you’ve got perfectly fine? Could that money you’re about to spend on said toaster be used for something else you really need? Is that cash you’re about to spend being spent on a toaster instead of the January bills? How will it affect your current and future financial situation? Ask yourself if you really need it, or if it’s just a purchase on a whim? Remember, a bargain is only a bargain if you were going to buy it anyway. If you weren’t, then the retailer has managed to persuade you to part with cash you wouldn’t have done.
Shop Online
Whilst shops are obviously closed on public holidays such as Christmas Day, this doesn’t mean you can’t shop with retailers online. I’ve already had ‘sneak peek of sale’ emails land in my inbox and it’s only 22nd December as I type this. These are marketing ploys, designed to make you feel special. When in reality everyone on the mailing list has had the same email! Whilst you might be able to pick up some discounts on baby and kids clothes before they go out of stock, you don’t need to buy right now. 50% off sales will soon turn into 60% off, which will soon go to 70% and more! Remember that the power is in your hands. They have products they need to shift you don’t have to art with your cash. Wait for better deals and be sure to check prices online before heading into town on Boxing Day!
High Street Discounts
As I say, the power is in your hands and if you’re planning on shopping the high street after Christmas, know that you still have power. Haggle an extra discount, get them to throw the cushions in on that new sofa purchase, ask for free delivery. If you don’t ask, you wont get and throwing in a rug or that aforementioned free delivery might just wangle you to part with your cash. If you’ve not happy with the price, don’t be sucked in by the customer service person. Vote with your feet and walk away. There will be other retailers with other offers you can take advantage of.
January Sales Conclusion
With the January sales starting earlier and discount posters being put up all over the place, this simply reinstates that the power is in the hands of the consumer. By all means shop the January sales, but you don’t need to put all your eggs in one basket they in years gone by. Deals can be found all year round and sometimes they are much better than those found in December & January. Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year and let me know over on Twitter what deals you see which turn your heads.
