PLAY IT SMART BY HUNTING AROUND

COST-conscious Australians who are shelling out significant sums for items including electronics and whitegoods need to adopt a few tricks in order to secure the best price.

During the pandemic the surge in people spending on electronics has soared — one of the nation’s largest retailers JB Hi-Fi had sales in the last financial year climb by 11.6 per cent to $7.9 billion.

So when it comes to buying electronics or whitegoods, consumer finance expert Lisa Montgomery (pictured) says shoppers must take the time to seek the best product and the best price before buying. “You need to do youyour research fi first you because want to be comparing lilike with liklike,” she says.say “Look on a varievariety on websitwebsites, use comparison websites and it’s also a good idea to make a phone call to the retailer.”

Montgomery says stores sometimes have floor-stock items which they need to get rid of quickly at a discounted price.

If you have proof of a cheaper price elsewhere, see if the retailer you want to buy it from will match the price. The retailer might even knock an extra five or 10 per cent off the price.

“Negotiation either on the phone or face-to-face is really powerful,” she says. “Sometimes if you are willing to walk away you might get an extra discount, whereas online you don’t get that, you pretty much have to take the price that’s offered.”

Queensland Consumers Association’s spokesman Ian Jarratt urges shoppers to avoid “going for bells and whistles” on products because it will bring down the price.

“You have to know what the prices are in the marketplace to start with before you ask for a better deal,” he says. “If you show that you have a good deal elsewhere then you can ask them what they can do.”