Time to drive a better bargain

THERE are bargains to be had as the nation emerges blinking from lockdown, with everything from homes and cars to household goods and TV sports packages on sale at a discount.

Those who still have money during the pandemic could find themselves in a buyer’s market and should brush up their haggling skills.

Many will be struggling for cash as their income has taken a hit, but they also have an incentive to go hunting for bargains.

HOMEBUYING

With homebuying transactions at a 15-year low and experts predicting price falls of between five and 10 per cent, conveyancing expert Osbornes Law says now could be the perfect time to buy a property.

Head of residential property Simon Nosworthy said vendors are dropping prices on deals agreed before the pandemic to push through a sale, while buyers can access cheap mortgage finance: “This is the ideal scenario for first-time buyers or those waiting to pick up potential bargains.”

Buyers can now visit estate agents and undertake physical property viewings, provided they follow social distancing measures, but obtaining a mortgage offer or local authority search might take longer than usual.

Some buyers may hold back fearing that the market could crash if unemployment soars after the Government furlough scheme ends. “High demand for housing and lack of supply makes this less likely, while today’s low mortgage rates should sustain the market in the longer run,” Nosworthy said.

Today’s buying opportunity may not last, as north London estate agent Jeremy Leaf reported “pent-up demand”.

He warned against bidding too low, especially if you have found the perfect property: “Some buyers and sellers are in a stand-off, seeing who will blink first.”

Vendors should stand their ground if they feel they are being pushed into accepting too low a bid, and wait for the market to settle down.

GET MOTORING

Sales of new and used cars jammed up during the lockdown, as motorists saw little point buying a motor they could not use.

AA Cars chief executive James Fairclough said forecourts are reopening with dealers keen to secure sales, but urged people to do their research before negotiating.

Check how long the car has been on sale and be prepared to haggle: “If it has been on the forecourt for a while, the dealer may be more inclined to give you a good price.”

You might also get a better deal at the end of the week or month, when dealers are trying to hit sales targets. “If looking to part-exchange, find out how much your own car could be worth,” Fairclough said.another way to add value is to negotiate for extras such as free servicing, an extended warranty or something practical such as seat covers.

You can also haggle if intending to buy using car finance. “Do your homework on the different types of finance and decide how much you can afford to pay each month,” Fairclough said.

Karen Hilton, chief commercial officer at Heycar.co.uk, said some of today’s best deals are available on nearly-new cars: “Dealerships are looking for good-quality replacement stock, so you may get an even better deal if you can trade in your old car.”

Look out for special offers. “Skoda is now offering customers finance deals with nothing to pay for three months,” Hilton said.

SHOP AROUND

The shops can open again from tomorrow and there should be deals galore as retailers try to make up for lost sales.

Price tracking site Alertr.co.uk shows plenty of stores offering large discounts on garden equipment and furniture, including B&q,wayfair and Argos, while Homebase is offering discounts on kitchens and flooring,wickes on wallpaper, and Dunelm on selected furniture.

JD Sports,adidas and Nike have offers on fitness clothing and equipment, with Currys discounting electrical products.

Fashion retailers including ASOS, Boohoo, H&M, Miss Selfridge and New Look are cutting summer styles by up to 70 per cent.

Alertr co-founder and retail expert Andy Barr warned: “Not all deals are the bargains they may seem, so shop around and compare prices online.”

SCORE SAVINGS

The Premier League restarts on Wednesday and Sky Sports, Now TV and BT Sport have launched a price war to tempt soccer-starved fans.

Prices have been reduced by up to half, with Now TV’S Sky Sports Month Pass cut from £33.99 to £20, BT’S Big Sport package slashed from £40 to £20 a month and cutting its TV and sports bundle from

£48 to £39 a month.

The figures are from comparison site Uswitch.com and its TV expert Nick Baker said always consider the full cost of the package: “Be aware that you are signing up for a 24-month contract and the prices revert to the normal level after the initial three-month offer period.”

For those who only want to watch the end of the season, BT Sport’s £25 monthly pass can be cancelled at any time, Baker added.

‘Shops open tomorrow and there should be deals galore as the retailers try to make up for lost sales’