Making the Most of the January Sales

The January sales seem to get earlier and earlier each year! There are many great bargains to be had if you shop smart and a lot of complete turkeys as well! So how do you plan for the sales to ensure you snap up he very best bargains? In this email, we look at strategies for the January sales and how to get prepared for successful bargain hunting.

What Kinds of Products Typically Get Reduced in The January Sales?

Items that generally get reduced in the January sales range from those that customers are likely to be actively seeking, such as gym memberships and equipment to those that aren’t going to be popular for a considerable time or last years fashion, such as clothing and Christmas decorations. Other items generally typically found in January sales include:

• Carpets and Rugs
• Furniture
• Kitchens
• Appliances and electronic devices
• Holidays
• Jewellery
• Bicycles

1. Be Prepared

If you know that the January sales are when you are going to find your bargains to stockpile for presents throughout the year or just to treat yourself, be prepared by saving money in readiness for the sales.

Set your budget and be prepared to stick to it! It becomes very tempting when the bargains start to roll around and a spending frenzy can ensue, but buyer’s remorse can just as quickly set in. Ask yourself – do I actually need it? At what price does it become a genuine bargain?

2. Make a List

Think ahead, are you planning to redo a part of your home? Have certain appliances seen better days? Is there a gadget or gizmo you have been hankering after for a while? Will you be replacing large items of furniture this coming year? If so, the January sales can be a great time to source planned purchases.

Making a list will not only help you to stick to your budget but will focus your mind too on what you really want and need. A list is perfect for this task. Section your list into categories – clothing, household, gadgets etc and jot down items with a maximum budget written beside. If you are shopping online, a spreadsheet is easy to update as you buy so you can see in real-time what you are spending and how much you have left.

3. Current Prices

On your list or spreadsheet, fill in current prices of the items that you wish to buy. This will be important when the prices start to fall to cross-reference whether you are actually getting a good deal or not. Not all sales are made equal, make sure that your potential purchases are indeed bargains by comparing online.

4. Check the Refund Policy

Although the item you’ve bought seemed a great deal or good idea at the time, when you are back home and in the cold light of day, buyer’s remorse might just set in. It’s important to check if a store offers refunds for items bought on sale that aren’t faulty. It’s the law that shops must offer refunds for items that are faulty, not fit for purpose or incorrectly advertised, all year round, whether bought during the sales or not, but what about if you’ve simply changed your mind on a greatly reduced item? If the store does not offer a refund in these circumstance, then you might end up with much less of a bargain so check before you buy.