AFTER a pricey month paying for Christmas, shoppers are on the hunt for bargains in the January sales.
With discounts of up to 70 per cent, it is easy to get sucked into splashing the cash – but are you really getting good deals?
Mum-of-four and money-saving influencer Casey Major-Bunce, 32, from Portsmouth, knows how to work the high street to find the best savings.
Casey says: “I love January sales and you can get a real bargain if you look in the right places. There’s plenty of ways to save even more, and I can tell you how.”
Casey shares her top ten hacks for a happy New Year sales haul . . .
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1. Break the code to find out if it’s old stock
ARE you sure you are snapping up the latest stock?
There is a surefire way to find out.
Casey says: Each item of clothing has a tiny little tag in the waistband or side seam with a code that tells you what season it was made for — spring, summer, autumn or winter.
The last two digits tell you the year it was made.
The tag will have an RN number too.
Put the digits into an online calculator to find the season and year.
If it’s old stock, leave it — it’s not worth the cash.
2. Peel stickers back to reveal hidden prices
SHOPS hang on for a few weeks before slashing prices even lower after the sales have begun, but you don’t have to wait for the best price.
Just peel to reveal.
Casey says: Next and Primark can be guilty of this little trick.
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Staff put the cheapest price sticker on an item and pop a more expensive price on top until the sale items are reduced.
If you really love something, pick at the sticker.
If there’s a cheaper price underneath, the staff should be able to tell you when that discount will go live.
3. Blag bigger discount if price ends in 97p
DON’T be duped by shiny laptops on display — stores could be trying to flog old technology.
Casey says: Get savvy with figures.
If the price on an item ends with 98p, it’s recently discontinued and they’ll have boxed stock in the back.
If it ends with 97p, it’s an old display item.
Be cheeky and ask for an extra discount — you’ll probably get it.
4. Use live chat to get more money off
THOSE little pop-up chats on sites such as Currys.co.uk and Schuh.co.uk might seem annoying but a quick hello could lead to a lovely discount.
Casey says: Fancy a fresh pair of trainers or something for your home?
Most websites have a live chat these days.
Take five minutes to say hello, and they’ll often reward you with a code for an extra ten per cent off the sale price.
5. Bag a bargain at the back of the store
SHOPS will tempt you inside with high-fashion and high-price sale items but do not take the bait — the best deals are never in the window or at the door.
Casey says: Fashion stores like Zara put the most expensive sale items at the front of the store in the hope shoppers will snap them up first
Instead, venture to the back of the store, for discounts of up to 70 per cent off.
6. Stick it out until January 2 for best deals
DON’T sprint out to the shops this month — nurse your hangover then snap up the real deals in the new year.
It is worth the wait.
Casey says: Everyone thinks the bargains start on Boxing Day, with diehards camping out on Christmas night.
But don’t be fooled — they might get first dibs but won’t be getting the best deals.
Most stores reduce sale items again on January 2 and that’s when you’ll get the best price.
7. Abandon your shopping basket
DO you prefer browsing on websites to wandering the high street?
Make sure you play hard to get.
Casey says: If you’re buying sale items online, sign up for an account or log in and fill your basket, but don’t pay.
Leave it for a day and wait for the shop to come begging.
Within 24 hours you’ll probably have a discount code in your inbox.
Every little helps.
8. Go on a treasure hunt for bargains in shops
WE have all stuffed clothes at the back of the rail to save for later — and that is where you will find hidden gems.
Casey says: The most popular hiding places are in the corners of stores where footfall is lowest.
So if you can’t find a popular item in your size, go treasure hunting.
You’ll probably find your dream buy in among the boring buys — and you’ve pinched the bargain.
9. Access savings by being a VIP member
IT sounds expensive but becoming a VIP is often free and is as easy as signing up to a newsletter to get first dibs on the latest discounts.
Casey says: Shops like Next offer a newsletter, subscriptions or store membership via email, which allows you to book a slot to browse the sale before non-members.
Just remember to use an old email address or you’ll be spammed with all sorts of nuisance emails throughout the year.
10. Sign up as a new customer again
MISSING that cheeky new customer discount from online shops?
Simply open a new email account each time you buy, and you will get money off every time.
Casey says: Online stores like Asos offer up to 15 per cent off just for being a new customer.
But if you’re a regular customer, this doesn’t mean you can’t cash in on the perk.
“Sign up for a new email address and you’ll shave even more off the cost of your shopping haul in the sale.
