BOXING DAY TIPS
To hit sales successfully, set your spending limits and avoid browsing
Use our three-page special shopping guide to find the best deals,
Boxing Day is one of the busiest shopping days of the year, with 35 per cent of Canadians intending to shop, according to the Retail Council of Canada.
Shopping experts say you should have a plan. A good deal is all about timing, paying the lowest price, and getting the merchandise you want. Here are tips to be successful: Don’t browse. This is a day to buy, not browse. “Make a list, check it twice, and know exactly what you want,” says Hollie Pollard at commonsensemom.com blog. Otherwise, you could get sidetracked or lost in the crowds.
Do your research. Boxing Day is a high-stakes game, says shopper Janine Falcon at Imabeautygeek.com, so do your re- search. Retailers generally plan sales events a year in advance, explains Michael Leblanc, senior retail adviser at Retail Council. Track the prices of items you want by signing up for mailing lists of stores, websites and “best deal” companies and apps. “Pre-shopping means you will know that you are getting the highest savings of the year,” says Falcon. Know when a sale is going to start so you can be at the computer or in the lineup on time. Don’t leave the house without going online first. The Internet really is a great source of up-to-the-minute information. Hopefully, you were online at 11:59 last night to see what was being marked down, says Falcon. Keep checking prices of merchandise being sold online and in stores. Remember, stock tends to run out faster online.
Set real limits: Have a set amount of money to spend, and never put purchases on credit unless you can pay for them at the end of the month. Only purchase items if they’re a real deal, which should be 50 to 60 per cent off or more, says Pollard. Be smart — and kind: Pack patience and the spirit of the season, says Leblanc.
There are going to be long lineups and aggressive shoppers. Pack a snack, too, and be on the lookout for fraudsters and thieves (for example, protect passwords and carry wallets close to your body).