CHRISTMAS SHOP SAVING TIPS
CHECK OUT LOCAL DEALS Watch out for promotions and offers in Irish stores in the run-up to Christmas as you may be able to some gifts for half-price. Debenhams, for example, has a number of discounts running in December including half-price designer womenswear and 15pc off beauty products on December 3. It also has a 50pc discount on sleepwear on December 7, 50pc off partywear on December 8, and half-price Tripp luggage on December 11. Eason’s three-for-the-price-of-two mix and match promotion will run this month. Some of the best-sellers included in this promotion include new books from Jodi Picoult, James Patterson and Michelle Obama as well as books from some popular children’s authors. You might still be able to grab a deal under a Black Friday promotion in early December as some stores still have such offers running. Curry’s PC World, for example, is running its Black Friday offers until December 5. Some of the store’s Black Friday offers include a Canon Powershot SX720 Compact Camera for €239.99 — down from €429.99; and a 50-inch LG Smart 4K Ultra HD LED TV for €449 — reduced from €699.
COMPARE ALCOHOL PRICES UP NORTH A shopping trip to the North could cut the cost of your Christmas alcohol bill, but this will depend on exactly what you’re buying. A one-litre bottle of Baileys Original Irish cream for example was priced at £12 (€13.50) in Asda, Northern Ireland in late November — compared to €24 in Tesco in the Republic of Ireland. Do your research beforehand though as certain drinks may not be that much cheaper up the North than they are at home. A 70cl bottle of Smirnoff red label vodka for example was priced at £14 (€16) in Sainsbury’s and Asda in Northern Ireland in late November — Tesco in the Republic is charging €17 for the same bottle (only €1 more).
SHOP AROUND TO GET BEST DEAL You could save €100 or more on gifts by shopping around, depending on the number of presents on your Christmas list. Price differences can be substantial. For example, Lego’s Harry Potter Hogwarts Great Hall is tipped to be one of the most popular Christmas toys this Christmas. This toy was priced at €119.99 in Argos in late November; but €99.99 in Smyths.
AVOID PRIVATE SELLERS ONLINE Be careful if heading to online marketplaces such as eBay or Amazon to try find something cheaper than on the high street. You may be able to source cheaper toys or gifts online, including ones which are used but described by the seller as almost new. Should the reality be different when the item arrives at your home, and you’re unhappy with the qualify of the item as a result, you could run into trouble getting your money back or getting any redress — if you’ve bought from a private seller. “Consumer legislation doesn’t apply if you buy from a private seller,” said Martina Nee of European Consumer Centre (ECC) Ireland. Find out if delivery and custom charges will apply too when ordering online. “When shopping within the EU, traders are obliged to inform you of the total cost — including tax and other charges,” said Nee. “But traders based outside the EU don’t have this obligation. Be aware that just because a website address ends in dot.ie or dot.co.uk doesn’t mean that the trader is based within the EU.”