‘I learnt how to haggle and saved a fortune’
Supershoppers presenter Sabrina Grant, 32, reveals inside tips on how we can all make big savings when we shop online…
What is the programme about? We meet two families who are big online spenders, with the aim of showing them how they can save £1,000 online over the course of a year. It might be that they could dramatically cut the cost of a holiday, or save on household bills or clothes. There are tips for everyone!
Tell us more about the holidays savings?
If you’re a family or a group, we prove it’s actually better costwise if you book your travel individually. I speak to an airline expert, who explains the pricing structure of the seats. There are a limited amount of low-cost tickets available on every flight – but booking as a group doesn’t always work out as being the best deal.
There’s advice on energy suppliers as well?
We’ll be showing how you can cut down on your bills, while going green and helping the environment at the same time. We also found new websites popping up which allow you to hire outfits for a special occasion – instead of spending a fortune on one dress which then goes into the back of your wardrobe never to be seen again… One lady on the programme saved over £200 by doing this.
What tip did you find the most surprising?
I’ve always been a savvy shopper, but haggling online was a new one for me. You can do it on any website that has a live chat popup function, as it means there are usually people waiting at the other end of the line to talk to you. It’s an opportunity for you to potentially get some money off a product – it might not work every time, but give it a try, as it’s so worth it. Remember that no prices are set in stone!
Have you started to take any of your own advice on board?
I’m loving haggling online. I recently booked a trip to Barcelona and I managed to get £60 off my flights. All you have to do is ask if they have any offers or deals on. Be brave and find out if they are able to give you any money off! I did it on my Virgin Media Internet package, which I got a deal on as well. It’s a new skill that I’ll be using a lot. You got your ‘big break’ on the C4 consumer show Supershoppers, but is it true you used to be a stylist to the stars?
I used to work behind the scenes and I absolutely loved it. I styled Taylor Smith for her performance on The X Factor – she was fun! I’ve worked with Mel and Sue and I was once on a Victoria Beckham shoot, pinching myself at meeting a Spice Girl. She was lovely – though we all had to sign a disclosure form saying we wouldn’t take any pictures or videos backstage. But she was really sweet…
Do you watch yourself on TV?
I always watch my own shows – usually with my family and friends. I’m kind of used to it now, though I am guilty of going, “I’m not sure that works” if I’m having a bad hair day!
How do you like to chill out?
I’m bad at relaxing – I’m normally too wired at the end of each day. My favourite thing to do is go down to my gym, have a workout and then unwind in the sauna. I get through a lot of box sets as well – RuPaul’s Drag Race
UK at the moment.
By Hannah Wright