We all enjoy browsing shops and going for our big grocery haul now and again, but the reality is that brands exist to make a profit.
However there are ways to shop smartly and consistently to find the best deals, without being caught out by sophisticated strategies.
Tom Church, the co-founder of money-saving community Latest Deals, explains: "It’s easy to end up spending money you didn’t intend on parting with when you’re visiting the supermarket or looking around in high street stores, and often these purchases are due to the tactics implemented by these big brands."
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He has shared some of his biggest tricks that many shops don't want you to know about.
Check for coupons at the start and end of each month for the best saving
It may feel like an extra effort to browse online for coupons before heading into the shops, but if you make a habit of doing this every time you’ll be surprised by the amount of savings you make. If you’re feeling hesitant about whether a store will accept your coupon, it can’t hurt to try! For example, Tesco’s coupon policy currently states that, not only are they happy to accept branded product coupons, they will also accept internet coupons as long as the terms and conditions have been met and it has a barcode, Hull Live reports.
It’s also worth looking in newspapers and magazines, as well as your junk mail - sometimes there is some hidden treasure to be found! Plus, talk among the Latest Deals community indicates people have more success finding vouchers online at the beginning and end of each month. This is when new codes are likely to be uploaded, so grab them while you can!
Don't be afraid to haggle - it's easier than you think to get 10% off
If you’re not keen on paying full price for an item, nothing is stopping you from negotiating with a member of staff. The worst they can do is say no! Cashiers sometimes have the power to give 10% off if you ask at checkout, so it can’t hurt to give it a go. This doesn’t have to be restricted to in-store only - instead of minimising the live chat bots which sometimes appear when you click onto a website, why not try and speak to someone and see if you can get a discount before you make your online purchase?
It’s definitely worth inspecting any potential purchase carefully for marks and defects. If there’s something there, such as a missing button or a stain which will take some effort to get out, point it out when you go to pay and see how much you can save.
What’s more, if you have recently bought an item that subsequently went on sale, the retailer may credit you the difference in price. Keep a copy of your receipt and get in touch with customer service. Ask if you can get a refund for the additional cost you paid - you could end up pleasantly surprised.
Crack the codes on price labels to anticipate sales
If you’re having a look around your favourite clothes store, it might be worth holding back on a purchase if you spot a scribble on the price label. That’s because certain retailers, which can include Dorothy Perkins, Next, River Island and more, will have numbers written on the labels of certain items if they’re about to go into a sale.
For example, if you see a top on sale for €30 and its label has a €17 scribbled on it, chances are it will be on sale for €17 very soon. I recommend taking a photo of the item so you don’t forget what it looks like, then going back in a few days or weeks. You may be able to bag a huge discount just by playing the waiting game.
A good trick is to look at winter clothes when shops are gearing up for summer sales and vice versa, as these items are more likely to be cleared ahead of new stock coming in for the next season. It’s also a good idea to check for items in stores like TK Maxx which have had a yellow sticker placed over the red one - this means it’s in line for some heavy discounts.
Compare prices by downloading shopping apps
You’ll never miss a deal if you enable push notifications for all of your shopping apps. For example, the Amazon app will send notifications when a new deal is available, and you can scan barcodes to compare prices.
It’s better to keep an eye on multiple shopping app notifications, especially if you’ve got your eye on a particular product. That way, you won’t be tempted to just buy it at whatever price you see in-store because it’s close by.
Many Irish shops now have their own apps, some of which - including Lidl and Marks and Spencer - allow you to save a certain amount on products by scanning the app in store.
Shop around for longer guarantees on electrical items
Keep your brand new TV or laptop protected for longer by shopping around for the best guarantee. For example, the standard electrical item guarantee is one year, but if you shop at John Lewis you will get a two year guarantee. What’s more, if you find a cheaper item elsewhere, you can get not only a price match but the guarantee of that product applied.
Shops like Currys promise to match or beat the price you’d pay at Argos, DID Electrical, Harvey Norman or Power City , and up to seven days after you’ve bought from them.
Bend down and stretch up in store to find cheaper products
When you’re browsing in a supermarket, chances are you grab products from shelves which are within easy reach. However, have you considered bending down to the bottom shelves or asking someone to pass down some products from above your head? It’s likely you’re missing out on a bargain!
As supermarkets want to make a bigger profit, they will place the more expensive products at eye level, hiding the cheaper options out of reach. Just by taking a few moments to stretch, bend or ask someone for help, you could gain access to some major savings. Plus, beware of your kids putting items they’ve taken a shine to in your trolley - stores have most likely placed these products at their eye level, banking on them pestering their parents into buying them!
Don't fall prey to decision fatigue purchases
You will likely have noticed that checkout areas in supermarkets have lots of little shelves or displays with small items, designed to prey on your decision fatigue. What’s decision fatigue? It’s what happens when your brain becomes tired from making all those decisions about which products to buy in-store. By the time you get to checkout, you’ll be mentally weary and more likely to impulsively pick up a pack of gum or a bottle of water. These are the purchases which help supermarkets to make a higher profit.
Supermarkets will also shine a spotlight, quite literally, on products they want to make more appealing to customers. The artificial lighting in stores isn’t just there to help you see where you’re going - it’s extra bright, so you feel more awake and engaged with the products available.
Stick to a shopping list - supermarkets want you to be distracted
Supermarkets put a lot of thought into their store layout, positioning, lighting and sound. For example, the essentials you would typically go to the shops for - such as bread, milk and loo roll - will be spread out, forcing you to look in other aisles and consider making additional purchases. You can avoid spending extra by going directly to the aisles you need.
As you walk around, you may notice special deals in stand-alone sections, such as doughnuts or sweets, which are even brighter than the rest of the store. These items will look even more tempting - don’t fall prey to this trick and throw the treats into your basket!
Time your shopping - wait online, shop early in store
We’ve already discussed how waiting for products to go on sale can help you get more bang for your buck, and a similar method to employ is abandoning your shopping cart online. This encourages a retailer to add an incentive, encouraging you to go back and complete your purchase. It could be a freebie, discounted shipping or money off the product itself. To do this, ensure you’re signed up for an account on your website of choice, then add a product to your basket. Click off the site, and wait a day or two. You’ll most likely receive an email from the store, asking if you’re ready to continue shopping and adding a discount to encourage you to return.
When it comes to in-store shopping, timing is also important - but holding back sometimes isn’t the best choice. For example, Aldi shoppers have commonly said that the best half price deals go on sale from 8am, so set your alarm and head in first thing to pick up some red-stickered items. Similarly, those who frequent the Argos app have said that 6am is the best time to look, as items which have been returned or not picked up for collection are listed at this time of day.
A cheeky trick some use every now and then is to sign up as a new customer multiple times, using different email addresses, on websites which offer discounts for those making their first visit. If you know a store will send new customers a discount code, why not grab as many as you can and see how much you can save?
Be first to know about sales and discounts with social media and newsletters
Checking out the Facebook or Instagram feed of the shop you’re about to visit can often pay dividends. These channels are the places for brands to promote new stock they have coming in, an upcoming sale or some major reductions at the end of a season. Plus, if you can’t see what you want in your local store, you can ask the manager or supervisor to get stock delivered - then simply pick it up the next day.
It can be tempting to avoid marketing emails, but signing up for the newsletters of your favourite stores is often the key to getting insider information and bigger discounts. By scanning the newsletter whenever it appears in your inbox, you’ll be able to head into your local store armed with knowledge about which products are going on sale, which are new in and more.
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