Bargain hunters out in force
Weaving between hordes of people looking for their next bargain it was clear Christmas was over and Boxing Day had begun.
Thousands of shoppers looking for a hefty discount swarmed Palmerston North as they went searching for the gifts they weren’t given this Christmas.
Playstation accessories were on 17-year-old Brady Joynes’ mind as he stalked the Plaza for a steering wheel and gear shifter for his games.
It had been on his wishlist, but given the high price he took it upon himself to find the perfect gift on Boxing Day.
They had stormed the stores as soon as they opened at 9am, rushing about the mall before the deals were snapped up by other smart shoppers.
‘‘It’s the only thing I wanted,’’ Joynes said.
Joynes thought the Boxing Day sales were a bit of a mixed bag when it came to snagging a bargain.
‘‘It’s 50/50. You don’t just buy it you have a good look around to see what’s there because I went to EB Games for the same thing and it was $600, but at JB Hi Fi it was $399, and it came with the free shifter.
‘‘It’s a good deal.’’ Coming out of Hallensteins, Regan Dalziel, 17, was ready to spend more than $200 in vouchers from his family put in his Christmas stocking to splash out on Boxing Day sales.
He thought his purchases today were cheaper than on a regular shopping spree.
‘‘I got three shirts, shorts and four pairs of socks for $100. Just a shirt and a hoodie is normally $100. It’s a lot better.’’
Travelling to the city from Napier,Qu end aWhatuir aStrickland ,55, and Trace e Te Huia, 54, were taking their granddaughters Opal, 11, and Leah Te Huia, 14, to Anime Zone for Attack on Titan merchandise.
‘‘We got them sleeping bags and towels because they’re going on a fellowship camp in Taupo¯ soon, so now they’re getting what they want,’’ Whatuira-strickland said.
But it was too hard for Leah to choose just one thing, she wanted it all.
While the girls were in the
Anime store, the grandmothers were preparing for next Christmas, snatching up all the decorations they could.
‘‘We’re crazy for Christmas,’’ Te Huia said. ‘‘Every year every shop we look for tinsel.’’
Their father was at home sleeping off a tough family Christmas day, WhatuiraStrickland said.
Page Hopcroft, 28 had planned a quick trip to K Mart for a fun sprinkler to keep her children Ruby, 9, and Toby, 2, cool over summer.
She but didn’t expect the mall to be busy, but was unprepared for the manic shoppers moving between stores.
‘‘It’s just mental. As soon as you leave Farmers it’s madness.’’