Bargain Shopper Blog

Written by Cara Jackson

It’s that time of year again, music festival season. There is nothing quite like the exciting atmosphere of a music festival, however festival days tend to be pricey, with tickets alone cost more than $150. It is because of this that we have some tips to help you pick out a great, affordable festival outfit.

Festival fashion should be fun, fresh and light, but never your best outfit. Most of the time a festival outfit will come home caked in mud, sweat and remnants of the day. Rather than wasting money on an expensive outfit that you can never wear again, search for an outfit that has all the fun, brightness of festival fashion without the hefty price tag.

Shoes
The most important thing to remember with festival shoes is comfort is key. While heels may look fantastic, chances are you will be in pain by the end of the day. You will also be walking around in dirt and grass throughout the day. Cute little canvas shoes are a great option. These will protect your feet and provide you with the comfort you need to dance all day. You can find these at K-Mart, Target or Big W for less than $15; a fantastic buy as at the end of the day the shoes may be ruined.

Hats
A hat is absolutely crucial to a festival. Sunstroke is not a lot of fun. Hats protect and act as a cute little accessory to complete an outfit. Adorable straw hats are always in fashion for festivals. Stores like Sports Girl, Rubi and Jay Jays have cute hats for around $20.

Shorts
Shorts are great for festivals. They let you show off your gorgeous legs, all while being extremely practical. Shorts are able to withstand vigorous dancing, mosh pitting, running to the bathroom and strong winds.

Playsuits
Playsuits combine the practicality of shorts and the style of dresses. These adorable little numbers have been increasing in popularity over the past couple of festival seasons. Check out outlet stores such as Direct Factory Outlets to find a gorgeous playsuit for a fraction of the price.

Dresses
Dresses are the old faithful for festival fashion. They are perfect for a girl who enjoys the swish and the freedom that they offer. Vintage dresses are very popular, especially for events such as the Falls Music and Arts Festival or St Jerome's Laneway that have an indie edge. Save dollars by looking through op shops for that perfect vintage look for half the price you would pay for something brand new.

Sunglasses
Sunglasses are an absolute necessity for festivals as they keep your eyes protected from the harsh sun and add a unique touch to your outfit. However, make sure that you leave your expensive designers at home! With the action of the day, there is a high chance that they will get broken, stolen or lost. Instead, buy a cheap pair from a fashion accessories store. Rayban Wayfarer style sunglasses are especially popular at festivals and can be bought for around $15 from Equip.

Other tips and tricks

- Eat a good breakfast before you leave to save money that you would otherwise spend on greasy, fast food.

- Buy a bottle of water and re-fill it throughout the day. Don’t spend $4 on a small bottle every time you get thirsty.

- Avoid buying band merchandise at the festival. By looking in the sale section on a performer’s website you can usually find great deals for less than half the price!

- Comfort is key with every festival. It should be taken into account with every item of clothing that you wear. Most festivals run for up to twelve hours, so be sure to pick out clothes that don’t restrict you and allow you to dance the hours away.

 

 

Daily deals have momentarily taken over my world. Along with doubling my inbox’s waistline, they’ve added a host of new bargain-priced temptations to my wish list of “one-day-only!” specials from private online sales clubs, retail stores and shopping centres — all begging me to buy them, day in and day out. Not that that’s a bad thing ... I love bargains as much as the people you see camped out the front of department stores before Boxing Day. But are daily deals really all they’re cracked up to be?

The daily deal craze has swooped Australia this year, with around a dozen websites now offering experiences and goodies to their subscribers every day that — because of their ingenious group-buying concept or limited product availability — are much cheaper than the normal going rate. The concept, which started with the company Groupon in the US, works like this: local businesses make an offer on their product, pricing it at sometimes up to 70 per cent off recommended retail and, once a certain number of people agree to purchase the offer, the deal is “activated” and whoever wants to buy it can enjoy the deal.

Most daily deals websites focus on pampering, entertainment and active/leisure experiences — from discounted horse-riding adventures to salsa dancing lessons, facials and fancy dinners. While I’ve been tempted by these offers of cheap manicures, discount teeth-whitening treatments and accommodation packages, I’m yet to purchase a “deal of the day”. And, before I do, I’m curious to know whether some of these deals really deliver the on the promise of a full-retail-price experience for half (or lower than half) the original cost. Do you get what you don’t pay for?

Case in point: A friend of mine recently bought a hair treatment through a daily deals website, which amazingly included a hair cut, colour, foils, conditioning treatment and blow-dry at a reputable inner-city salon — all valued at $350 — for just $99. My friend (let’s call her Britney) thought she was in for the royal treatment at a third of the cost, but it didn’t turn out that way. During the session, Britney felt she wasn’t treated like a full-price-paying customer. She says she was rushed through the process without thorough consultation from the hair stylist and left feeling like her $99 — even though she had supposedly saved $250 — was a waste of money.

Of course, with some daily deals the offers are more clear-cut, such as half-price gelato or 60 per cent off the price of theatre tickets. But since many offers are hosted by small- to medium-sized local businesses that may not be used to such an influx of customers, the room for dropping the ball in terms of quality of service and the customer experience increases.

Buying a bargain shouldn’t mean you have to compromise on quality; and if the quality is diminished somehow, the consumer should be informed before they make the purchase.

The moral of the story? Before jumping on a deal or if you’re concerned about product standard, do your research. Check the supplier, read reviews, make use of the daily deals website’s social networking avenues to talk about the offers and the experiences they deliver. Alternatively, you can throw caution to the wind — which is how daily deals websites are meant to be enjoyed — and have a great night out for a fraction of the price. Just don’t sweat the small stuff. Ten-course degustation dinner for $35, anyone?

What have you bought from a daily deals website and was it a good experience? Did you feel you were treated differently from customers paying full price? If you buy a bargain deal, do customers have the right to complain if it doesn’t meet expectations?

Comment below, or email bargainguru@universalmagazines.com.au

Daily deals websites in Australia

www.dealsextra.com.au
www.jumponit.com
www.cudo.com.au 
www.ourdeal.com.au
www.allthedeals.com.au
www.scoopon.com.au
www.spreets.com.au
www.ouffer.com
www.catchoftheday.com.au
www.ourdeal.com.au
www.livingsocial.com (coming soon)

You spoilt each other on Valentine’s Day and now that the romance is still alive and well, the cash flow isn’t. So how do we retain the spark of date-night on a shoestring?

There are many budget-friendly wooing options around if only you have the know-how, creativity and research skills to find them. Here are some of my favourites:

If music be the food of love, play on
Check out your local paper for news of budget entertainment options. Street festivals are free and offer a great day out, wandering around, holding hands and soaking up the atmosphere. Many bars around town also feature free live music — particularly from Sunday through to Thursday — offering the perfect setting to unwind over a few drinks. Concerts in the park are also good value and a unique experience; opera under the stars will bring out the true romantic in anyone.

The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach
There’s a wealth of opportunity when it comes to food dating. Pack a picnic basket with homemade sandwiches, cheese, wine and snacks and watch the sun set together in a beautiful location such as the beach or botanic gardens. If the event goes well and runs through to the evening, many an hour can be lost gazing at the sky and watching for shooting stars.

Alternatively, a home-cooked meal shows off your skills as a domestic goddess. Light candles, pick some flowers and Google recipes that are sure to knock his socks off.

Playing games
There are myriad dating options once you introduce sporting activities to the mix. From ten pin bowling and paintball to trips to the golf driving range, you can test your skills and have a heap of fun without breaking the bank.

Going for a bike ride or skating allows you to enjoy the great outdoors while simultaneously avoiding expensive bars and restaurants. Take a break when needed for a coffee or ice-cream stop.

Alternatively, organise a game night at home. From old favourites such as Guess Who and Monopoly to the more modern Nintendo Wii, this will provide hours of fun for zero cost.

Culture club
Check newspapers and websites for information on local art galleries and museums. Permanent exhibits are generally free while a trip to a touring show or the zoo will still cost less than dinner at a fancy restaurant.

Can’t be bothered leaving the comfort of your couch? Nothing’s more romantic than an old-movie marathon. Rent some DVDs, pop some popcorn and swoon to the likes of Casablanca, Roman Holiday, Breakfast at Tiffany’s — or something more modern to suit his tastes.

What are your favourite budget dating tips? Comment on this post or email bsgm@universalmagazines.com.au

Australian shoppers have been crying out for a low cost alternative to buying from supermarket giants. Now, with the opening of budget groceries and goods retailer Costco in Melbourne, locals there have had their wishes granted. But are the savings as good as they say?

US mega-retailer Costco has landed in Melbourne, promising to fulfil the dreams of cash-strapped shoppers by selling top brand products at wholesale prices. Bargain shoppers can buy everything from supermarket items to designer goods (that's right — you can buy a Louis Vuitton handbag with your loaf of bread!). Along with food, clothing and accessories there are nappies, appliances, TVs, automotive supplies and just about everything in between — all for well below recommended retail price.

While the savings made by shopping at Costco are written on the wall, there are a few catches that shoppers need to be aware of, which — depending on your situation — may outweigh the positives of paying less.

Membership fees
Costco is a shopping club, which means to shop there you must pay an upfront (and annual) fee of $60. Paying money to spend money? It sounds crazy, but for regular Costco shoppers the fee ultimately doesn’t amount to much, as the money is fairly quickly redeemed in savings on their grocery bill. The key is to shop at Costco often (at least once a month) to get the most out of your membership. If you only shop there once a year, it may not be worth it. Charging a membership fee is a clever way for Costco to ensure shoppers return to the store regularly.

Also, for every membership card bought, a second card can be given to a friend or family member living at the same residence for free. In effect, for many people the membership fee really only costs $30.

Buying in bulk
Buying in bulk may suit families who live in houses with plenty of storage space. But for singles, couples, students and anyone living in smaller apartments, buying in bulk is difficult. Where do you put the tower of 96 rolls of toilet paper in your one-bedroom flat? The answer — if you’re still keen to bulk up — is to shop with friends. But beware of the Costco rules…

Shopping with friends
While Costco only allows members to make purchases at their store, members are welcome to take two friends along with them for the ride. Regular Costco shopper in the US, Fiona, says that there’s no stopping a large group of friends with two or three Costco memberships between them doing their weekly groceries and divvying the purchases once they leave the store. “It takes a bit of organising, but it’s worth it in the end,” she says.

Worth the drive?
Costco is located at Melbourne Docklands, the equivalent of Sydney’s Darling Harbour, which means for people living out of town the cost of petrol and tolls to drive to Costco might add those dollars saved back onto your grocery bill. Try car-pooling with other Costco members from your area to make the trip worthwhile (and make sure you have a big car boot!). Also keep an eye on the time: parking is free for the first two hours, then $5 per hour thereafter.

No frills
The reason Costco is able to keep prices so low is that they have a no-frills approach, reducing overheads to a bare minimum. These savings are then passed onto the customer. But with low prices comes a low level of luxury. Costco sells clothing, but has no change rooms; and if you’re in a rush, there’s no express checkout to put you through speedily. Shop with low expectations, and you won’t be disappointed.

Sydney warehouse
Before all of you bargain hungry Sydneysiders pack your bags and hit the road to Melbourne, try holding out until the end of next year. While nothing is set in stone yet, the wheels are in motion to open a Costco outlet in Sydney in late 2010. The proposed address is 15-21 Parramatta Rd, Auburn — a much shorter drive than Melbourne!

Have you shopped at Costco? What are the pros and cons in your view? Submit your comment or email bargainguru@universalmagazines.com.au