The January Sales Survival Guide

If the tag is red, it doesn’t make it a great bargain is just one of the tips from a team of experts on tackling the January sales.

The penny pinching gurus at PromotionalCodes.org.uk, say there are plenty of ways to achieve a stress-free sales shop, without coming home overloaded with bags of things you don’t need.

Among them is writing yourself a list before you leave, withdrawing cash instead of paying on card and making sure your tummy is full.

Taking regular breaks and being cautious of the ‘last chance to buy’ signs are other ways to ensure you make a triumph of your sales shopping.

Darren Williams from PromotionalCodes.org.uk said: “Keeping a clear head and avoiding being sucked into all of the price reduction labels can be tricky.

“There’s nothing worse than coming home feeling beaten by the sales, exhausted and having spent a fortune on the bargains you thought you simply must have.

“Most of the time people don’t end up coming home with what they set out to get, so we’ve compiled a handy list of the best shopping hacks. They’ll have you handling the sales like a boss.”

Here are PromotionalCodes.org.uk, top sales shopping tops:

1. Fill up your tummy

Don’t be tempted to skip breakfast and make it to the shops early. No breakfast could have you feeling faint and tired all too soon. You’ll need lots of energy to run like a lean mean shopping machine throughout the day.

2. Make a plan of attack

There’s nothing wrong with doing a little forward planning. Look online, make a wish list of what you really want and get an idea of which shops to head to first. If you have a plan of attack in mind, you’re less likely to waste unnecessary time and energy.

3. Cash NOT card

Withdrawing a maximum spending value is likely to help you avoid impulse buying on the card. Buying on your card is way too easy and can turn into a slippery slope.

4. Bag up

Load yourself with plenty of big sturdy bags. This way you won’t fall into the trap of queuing for a trolley. Plus we’ve all felt the finger-pain of carrying a million little heavy plastic bags.

5. Don’t worry about other shoppers

Don’t pay attention to what everyone else is doing. Keep your list and your rough plan in mind to stop yourself getting carried away with the crowds.

6. Red isn’t always a bargain

It’s not the bargain of the century just because the tag is red. Ask yourself if it is such a great bargain and if you really do need it. We all have those sale items that sit at the back of the wardrobe collecting dust. If you’re not sure if you’ll wear it, don’t buy it.

7. Beware the ‘last chance to buy’ sign

This is not the last chance saloon, no matter how much those ‘last chance to buy’ signs make you feel that way. Most signs are there to encourage you to panic buy, so ignore them.

8. Have a breather

Sales shopping is generally a marathon, not a sprint. So take breaks to collect yourself now and again, stay hydrated and use these little stops to remind yourself of your wish list.

9. Learn the returns

Make sure you have a handle on the returns policy. The queue to the changing rooms is likely to be massive and there’s not always time to try before you buy. Check if you can return before you purchase.

10. Don’t get roped in

Sales are a great opportunity for many shops to rope customers into signing up to their credit card scheme. These encourage over-spending and what they don’t tell you is that you’ll still be paying for the items months after buying them.

ENDS