Shopping at the sales

The sales are often synonymous with stress and you can often not end up with the bargain you thought you had. Here are our tips on surviving the stress, rush and false discounts and getting the most out of the sales.

Check out what's about
Before the sales start, browse the shops and try on a few sizes and colours so you don't get it wrong when the prices come down! Just before the sales there will be less of a crush in the shops and you'll have time to decide what you want from the sales instead of making quick decisions and regretting them!!

Set yourself a budget
It’s important to set yourself a budget and to stick to it, depending on what you've got your eye on, of course! Don’t forget that the sales are there so you can treat yourself, but there's no point in impulse-buying for the sake of it.

The day before the sales
Many shops (especially big ones) often prepare for the sales the night before and sometimes items are put out with their sales tags already on. They are obliged to sell you the articles at the price indicated on the tag, so take a look in your favourite shops to see if the reduced prices have already been written on the labels. It’s rare they make this mistake, but it's always worth a try!

When to do the sales
The best deals are done at the beginning when you're likely to get what you want in the right size and colour, so ideally get there at the start (a lot of shops open early on the first day) or go for evening openings. Reductions are often better at the start when the shops start clearing all their unwanted stock to make way for the new. Still, they do restock the sales racks so it's worth going back if you don't find what you're looking for first time round. The trick is to take a look around during the last week of the sales and even if the dress you were after has gone, it’s still a good way to find basics like T-shirts at very low prices.

The best deals
The best deals are the big ones: coats, shoes, suits etc, the savings are huge so treat yourself to something big when it comes down in price.

The internet choice
If you don’t have the time or the patience to do the sales, use the internet. E-boutiques are very practical as you can choose your fave item in the comfort of your own home. Sign up to the sites before the sales: you’ll save time in the shops. Sometimes you need to be a bit proactive...and members sometimes get access or word about special openings and private sales when the prices are even lower!

Finally...
Sales shopping doesn't mean buying whatever you see just because it costs a tenner. A lot of shops have special rules about exchanges and refunds on sales items, so take the time to try clothes on. You don't want to end up turning your new maxi dress into a nightie because it doesn't fit and you can't take it back!