Shoppers across the country will be heading to the high street and their favourite websites to grab bargains as the Boxing Day sales get under way.
With virtually every retailer jumping on the bandwagon, customers will likely find themselves bombarded with sale offers in the coming days and it can be all to easy to be swept away by tempting offers and huge price slashes. But before they dive in, shoppers should be aware of the pitfalls they could fall into this Boxing Day when it comes to browsing the sales.
Consumer experts at Which? have advised that there are some easy ways to make sure you make the most of the occasion, from shopping around for the best deals to earning cashback - and some dangers to avoid too. Here are the group's seven top Boxing Day tips for shoppers.
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1. Make sure deals are genuine
Shoppers should be aware of Boxing Day bargains that claim to offer huge price slashes on products - some savings might be exaggerated by retailers, Which? warned. Previous research from the group found that several products listed as being on "special offer" were actually sold at their lower price for longer than they were at their 'full price' throughout the year, suggesting they aren't actually worth the higher amount.
Which? suggests shopping around for deals, as products in one store's post-Christmas sale could be even cheaper elsewhere. If you're hitting the high street this Boxing Day, it's worth doing a quick online check if you find something you want to make sure you can't find a better price on shopping websites, many of which offer a range of online-only deals when sales are underway.
2. Earn cashback as you shop
Websites such as Quidco and TopCashback offer shoppers the chance to claim cashback on their purchases. Retailers may offer cashback as a fixed amount or as a percentage of your purchase, but you will need to use the cashback website's link to get it, Which? explained.
The consumer group warned that it's still important to compare upfront costs first, as even the most generous cashback offers may not compensate for a high price. It's best for shoppers to view cashback as an added bonus if they were set on buying an item anyway.
3. Know your retail rights
Shoppers should ensure they check a store's return policy before snapping up bargain buys, so that they know when they will need to bring it back by. By law, retailers only have to offer a refund if an item is faulty, not as described or does not do what it’s supposed to, though they may offer refunds, store credit or exchanges in other cases.
Some retailers extend their returns periods around the festive season to give people more time to take back unwanted gifts. Which? advises that shoppers will have more rights around returns when they shop online rather than in-store, due to not being able to see a product in person before buying it.
4. Be careful with 'buy now, pay later' offers
Online stores are increasingly promoting buy now, pay later (BNPL) options - but Which? found that shoppers often are not fully aware of the potential consequences and that overspending may be encouraged, potentially landing people in debt. The consumer group suggested taking the time to read and understand the terms and conditions, and potential risks, before rushing ahead with a purchase.
A spokesperson for BNPL service Clearpay said: "Clearpay advises shoppers to buy only what you can afford, schedule repayments to sync up with paychecks, and use email and text message reminders to make sure your payments are made on time and you have money in your account."
5. Avoid fake reviews
One of the first things many shoppers do when bargain-hunting online is head to the reviews section to see the verdict of others who have already bought it and determine whether it's worth the money. But Which? has warned customers to be on the lookout for fake, paid-for or misleading reviews.
Red flags to look out for include multiple reviews being posted around the same time, overwhelming praise and the same phrases popping up in separate reviews. The group suggested looking at the four, three and two-star reviews instead to get a better idea of a product's benefits and drawbacks.
6. Watch out for unsafe products
Sellers in online marketplaces will often jump on the bargains bandwagon by advertising cheap products around this time of year - but shoppers should be aware that some of these may be faulty and potentially dangerous. Which? investigations have previously found problems with illegal Christmas lights that failed to meet the requirements of the Electrical Equipment (Safety) regulations, baby carriers that failed to meet basic safety standards and dangerous children’s toys being sold on online marketplaces.
You can check the Product Recalls and Alerts section of the gov.uk website to see which products have been found to present a risk to health and safety. The most recent alerts have included baby self-feeding products, household cleaning items, and phone chargers.
7. Beware of scams
Unfortunately, scammers will be on top form as the Boxing Day sales begin as they seek to take advantage of keen shoppers looking to bag a bargain. Many people will likely receive unsolicited texts, emails and calls from fraudsters trying to take advantage of uncertainty and the increase in online shopping.
Delivery text scams are common – some fraudsters claim you need to pay an "unpaid shipping fee" and include a link for you to follow from where they could steal your details. Watch out for the warning signs of a scam, including being asked for personal details, having pressure put on you to make a decision about a purchase, or spelling and grammar mistakes in texts and emails.
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