Beware of bogus bargains!
Published
It seems as if most shops are having sales most of the year round nowadays! But is all the merchandise on sale as great value as it seems? Coupon experts at Voucherbox say shoppers should be cautious of common mistakes that end in spend rather than save, and shed light on the biggest errors made by bargain hunters.
Impulse purchases
Sales create a sense of urgency, often prompting people to buy items that they may not need. To avoid overspending, shoppers should set a budget and make a list of essential items before they start making purchases. This way, they can focus on priorities and make more informed shopping decisions.
Not comparing prices
An item labelled as a ‘deal’ isn’t necessarily the lowest available price, which can lead to unnecessary spending. Before purchasing, shoppers should search for the item online and use the shopping tab to compare prices across multiple retailers to ensure they are getting the best deal.
Falling for buy-more-save-more deals
Multi-item discounts often prompt shoppers to buy extra items they otherwise would not have purchased to qualify for the discount.
If the additional purchases are genuinely needed, it can be a good deal; otherwise, more money is being spent unnecessarily.
Ignoring return policies
Sale items can sometimes have different return policies: shoppers should always check and read the fine print to avoid ending up with unwanted purchases that they can’t return.
Hidden fees and extra costs
It’s important to factor in hidden costs like shipping fees, taxes and service charges before purchase as these can add up and reduce the overall savings of a deal.
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