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Tip Store: Shopping: Price Comparisons
Getting the Sale Price
Approximate $ Savings: $30
I had to return an item to K-mart recently and whilst I was waiting I was flipping through the catalogue only to notice that the bras I had purchased the week before were on 50% sale. I mentioned this to the lady at the counter with a "Just my luck". She then asked me if I had my receipt for the bras and I did so she refunded my 50%. She then told me that if you buy an item and it is on sale the following week most stores will refund you.
Contributed by Antonietta, Orelia, 17th July 2009
I had to return an item to K-mart recently and whilst I was waiting I was flipping through the catalogue only to notice that the bras I had purchased the week before were on 50% sale. I mentioned this to the lady at the counter with a "Just my luck". She then asked me if I had my receipt for the bras and I did so she refunded my 50%. She then told me that if you buy an item and it is on sale the following week most stores will refund you.
Contributed by Antonietta, Orelia, 17th July 2009
Mind Games
Approximate $ Savings: $6000
Saving money is a mind game. A couple of years ago I started to record on a spreadsheet all my expenditure. I recorded the items sale price, discounted price and percentage saving. I then changed my mind, every time I shopped, I had to buy at a discount. This went on for a year. After buying furniture, clothes, groceries etc.. I actually saved over $6000! This is the additional amount I would have spent had I not changed my mind set on how I shopped. The key was the recording of each sale item, as I became better at it the system just took off and I was so motivated by the savings! Contributed by Antonella Scerri, 25th June 2010
Saving money is a mind game. A couple of years ago I started to record on a spreadsheet all my expenditure. I recorded the items sale price, discounted price and percentage saving. I then changed my mind, every time I shopped, I had to buy at a discount. This went on for a year. After buying furniture, clothes, groceries etc.. I actually saved over $6000! This is the additional amount I would have spent had I not changed my mind set on how I shopped. The key was the recording of each sale item, as I became better at it the system just took off and I was so motivated by the savings! Contributed by Antonella Scerri, 25th June 2010
Do You Research and Save on Repairs
A great money saving idea is before buying any big-ticket items such as washing machines, televisions, air conditioners and the like, spend some time phoning some of the repair agents in the yellow pages to get their input on which brands they see the most often requiring repairs. This could save you unlimited time, money and heartache in the future as you are less likely to buy a 'lemon' of a product.
Contributed by Debbie, Kanwal, 19th April 2009
Contributed by Debbie, Kanwal, 19th April 2009
Before Buying Search for Discount Codes
Approximate $ Savings: 10% off Internet purchases (or more)!
Whenever using the Internet to purchase goods or services, always do an Internet search for a discount code! Quite often there are current codes that allow you 10% off, free shipping or a free gift with purchase. Well worth a quick search on Google or similar!
Contributed by Kellie, Wynyard, 17th January 2010
Whenever using the Internet to purchase goods or services, always do an Internet search for a discount code! Quite often there are current codes that allow you 10% off, free shipping or a free gift with purchase. Well worth a quick search on Google or similar!
Contributed by Kellie, Wynyard, 17th January 2010
Proof of Prices When Shopping
I love the pricebook which we have just started. When going through the junk mail I make a list of what we need from each shop and staple it to the front of the brochure. I make sure I add the size of the product and the price. This way when I get to the checkout if there is a price dispute I can refer to the brochure straight away, as I found today that some items advertised in the brochure weren't actually marked down. I found this saves time and hassles.
Contributed by Cheryl, Sunbury, 21st September 2009
Contributed by Cheryl, Sunbury, 21st September 2009
Email Bargain Alerts
Subscribe to email messages like Catch of Day and Daily Deals and watch out for bargains... I bought 9 toothbrushes for $8 and it was a free shipping day!
Contributed by Kylie, 4th November 2009
Contributed by Kylie, 4th November 2009
Check the Catalogues Online
Rather than searching this week's catalogues for an item on special, I use Lassoo.com.au and Shopbot.com.au. Recently I wanted to purchase a Wii Fit for my son's birthday, that particular week they were between 120-140 depending on who had them on offer but by using Lassoo I discovered that Big W had them on offer the following week for $109. We have also used it to compare the deals on the Wii when we bought that at Christmas. Shopbot saved me $90 on a specific laser printer we had to have for our business, I could type in the model I needed and it searched the net for me! Saves time and lists each retailer!
Contributed by Yvonne, Berwick, 10th August 2009
Websites:
www.lassoo.com.au
www.shopbot.com.au
Contributed by Yvonne, Berwick, 10th August 2009
Websites:
www.lassoo.com.au
www.shopbot.com.au
Play "Beat That Price" and Win
Approximate $ Savings: $20
When making a purchase for a "luxury" item not an essential item, obviously it is a good idea to shop around. When catalogues come out look for the item you are interested in and when you find it on sale or even if you find it's not on sale go to another store who price match and ask them to beat the price. For example I was shopping for a bean bag. I went to Target and they were on sale. I then went to Spotlight as they sell exactly the same bean bags I was after (the item has to be identical by the way) and Spotlight actually beat the advertised price of their competitor by 10% so not only did I receive the special price I bought it for 10% cheaper as well! You'd be surprised what stores actually price match or beat it by a certain percentage. All you have to do is ask!
Contributed by Shelley, Chittaway Bay, 13th January, 2009
When making a purchase for a "luxury" item not an essential item, obviously it is a good idea to shop around. When catalogues come out look for the item you are interested in and when you find it on sale or even if you find it's not on sale go to another store who price match and ask them to beat the price. For example I was shopping for a bean bag. I went to Target and they were on sale. I then went to Spotlight as they sell exactly the same bean bags I was after (the item has to be identical by the way) and Spotlight actually beat the advertised price of their competitor by 10% so not only did I receive the special price I bought it for 10% cheaper as well! You'd be surprised what stores actually price match or beat it by a certain percentage. All you have to do is ask!
Contributed by Shelley, Chittaway Bay, 13th January, 2009
Know How Much to Pay to Really Save
Knowing how much to pay for needed or wanted items serves well, when, as is now the case, the US dollar is so weak against our dollar. Living frugally has left a little (and I mean a little) in the kitty this year. A couple of weeks ago I met a lady on the train to Melbourne who told me about a fantastic site on the web for a hobby we had in common. Women supporting women. As I watched our dollar strengthen I kept checking the US site the lady told me about. It finally came to a place where I could order goods at less than half the price, including postage, that I could in Australia. I understand the ramifications on spending away from our economy. I spent less than $150AUD and now have goods that were beyond my wildest dreams to work with to turn into saleable items which will bring dollars back into our home. The site was racing to the sold out section within minutes and if the homework had not been in place the exercise could have been an unhappy one instead of a joyous one. Contributed by Carol, Mudgegonga
Pays to Put Price Matching to the Test
Approximate $ Savings: $300.00
We are in the process of building a new deck and have been shopping around for prices or decking boards; from Bunnings they range from $3.30 plm to $3.80 plm. The cheapest price I found was a fair distance from my house, however I remembered that Bunnings will match any cheaper price so I had our local store ring to confirm the cheapest quoted price I was given and now they are prepared to match it. This has saved us almost $300 and we can hire a trailer for free to deliver! So it pays to shop around and make use of the offers they advertise!
Contributed by Megan, Mernda, 29th February 2008
We are in the process of building a new deck and have been shopping around for prices or decking boards; from Bunnings they range from $3.30 plm to $3.80 plm. The cheapest price I found was a fair distance from my house, however I remembered that Bunnings will match any cheaper price so I had our local store ring to confirm the cheapest quoted price I was given and now they are prepared to match it. This has saved us almost $300 and we can hire a trailer for free to deliver! So it pays to shop around and make use of the offers they advertise!
Contributed by Megan, Mernda, 29th February 2008
Union Shopper For the Best Price
Approximate $ Savings: $100+
If you are a member of a Union don't forget to use the Union Shopper - www.unionshopper.com.au/. This year I bought a Fischer & Paykel 8kg washing machine and saved $150 off the cheapest price I could get and on a salt water chlorinator I saved $110 so it is well worth the effort. You just have know the particular make and model of anything you wish to purchase and find the cheapest price you can get and they can always do better. I noticed on their website they also do insurance which is something I am going to look at next time I need to renew my house and car insurances. They also do next and used cars.
Contributed by Michelle, Algester, 11th January 2008
If you are a member of a Union don't forget to use the Union Shopper - www.unionshopper.com.au/. This year I bought a Fischer & Paykel 8kg washing machine and saved $150 off the cheapest price I could get and on a salt water chlorinator I saved $110 so it is well worth the effort. You just have know the particular make and model of anything you wish to purchase and find the cheapest price you can get and they can always do better. I noticed on their website they also do insurance which is something I am going to look at next time I need to renew my house and car insurances. They also do next and used cars.
Contributed by Michelle, Algester, 11th January 2008
Cheaper Alternatives to Supermarkets
Approximate $ Savings: $5
Watch for specials at places other than the regular supermarkets. Toys R Us had Kleenex Cottonelle toilet paper for $6.99 for a pack of 16. Priceline also has good special for health and beauty products Contributed by Coral, Andergrove, 27th July 2007
Watch for specials at places other than the regular supermarkets. Toys R Us had Kleenex Cottonelle toilet paper for $6.99 for a pack of 16. Priceline also has good special for health and beauty products Contributed by Coral, Andergrove, 27th July 2007
Watch Price Variations Between Stores in the Same Chain
Approximate $ Savings: 28 cents per purchase ($30 per year)
I am a new comer to the Cheapskater life after having my baby daughter last year. I am loving my new life - enjoying having more control over my finances and have discovered a love of cooking. So naturally when Cath told us about her new book I got one as quickly as possible and have now started my price book. Because I am a Cheapskater I buy generic milk but was completely shocked to discover cost variations. I live between two Safeways and when I go to the one to the south the 2L bottle costs $2.83. When I go to the Safeway to the north it only costs $2.55. That is 28c per bottle for the exact same milk. It makes me wonder what else I am missing.
Contributed by Emma, Brunswick, 1st June 2007
I am a new comer to the Cheapskater life after having my baby daughter last year. I am loving my new life - enjoying having more control over my finances and have discovered a love of cooking. So naturally when Cath told us about her new book I got one as quickly as possible and have now started my price book. Because I am a Cheapskater I buy generic milk but was completely shocked to discover cost variations. I live between two Safeways and when I go to the one to the south the 2L bottle costs $2.83. When I go to the Safeway to the north it only costs $2.55. That is 28c per bottle for the exact same milk. It makes me wonder what else I am missing.
Contributed by Emma, Brunswick, 1st June 2007
Shop Around for Price
Look around for prices, find the best price then wait for the sales to buy or if the cheapest price is lower than the rest quite a bit buy it then.
Contributed by Jessica, Seaford, May 2nd 2005
Contributed by Jessica, Seaford, May 2nd 2005
Mark Prices on Items to Avoid being Scanner Scammed
After watching you on ACA tonight talking about being ripped off at supermarket check outs my partner suggested that you should take a marking pen with you and write the prices on items as you place them in your trolley. I thought this was a good idea especially if you are doing a weekly shop so you would not have to remember prices.
Contributed by Jane, Edithvale, April 21st 2005
Contributed by Jane, Edithvale, April 21st 2005
Negotiate a Better Price
Always negotiate prices, particularly on sizeable items or if you are buying multiples. Sometimes just looking undecided can be enough to prompt a salesperson to offer you a discount to try to swing you in their favour. Alternatively, tell them your budget and ask if they can offer you anything below that price (works really well for Kris Kringle with a maximum spend).
Contributed by Christabel, Bentleigh, February 1st 2005
Contributed by Christabel, Bentleigh, February 1st 2005
Saving on Household Purchases
A little extra to add to shopping around for best prices. Ask for the best price if you pay by cash. I have done this on a number of occasions and have always been surprised by discount. Contributed by Glenis, Rosanna, July 19th 2006
Union Shopper
If you or your partner is a member of a union, check if your union is a member of "Union Shopper". When you buy anything from appliances to cars to chainsaws, these people can get you great deals. You shop around for what product you want and what the best price is you can get. Than you call these people up and they call you back within 48 hours to let you know if they can get you a better price. We have saved thousands of dollars over the years by buying fridge, dishwasher, chainsaw and even 2 cars through this organization. Our fridge saved us $350 for exactly the same fridge, about $2000 on each car. It costs you only 1 phone call to check with them before you buy.
Contributed by Bianca, Advancetown, 13th September 2006
Contributed by Bianca, Advancetown, 13th September 2006