“Hauling” is the latest trend amongst brag-happy bargain shoppers. So what’s it all about? Alissa Nasti investigates 

For a bargain shopper, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as dragging shiny new purchases back home, dumping them on the bed and going through them one by one. My favourite part of shopping happens as soon as I get home and I get to gloat about all the awesome stuff I bought and all the money I saved. And everyone knows gloating is way more satisfying when done in good company. My long-suffering boyfriend has had to sit through many a self-commentated catwalk show – “I scored these boots for sixty per cent off! How awesome is that?? And see how well they go with this tunic I got at that clearance sale? Do you like the colour? And what about these shorts? I know it’s the middle of winter but they looked so good on I couldn’t resist...”

Strangely enough, it turns out this phenomenon has both a name and a much more captive audience than my boyfriend.

“Hauling” is exactly what I described above, only it exists in the world of YouTube. After shopping sprees at budget fashion stores like Forever 21, H&M, and Target, haulers — most of whom are based in the US — tape themselves going through their purchases (or “haul”), explaining in detail what each item is, why they bought it and how much they bought it for.

Sound tedious and maybe a bit bratty? Millions of viewers would disagree. Bubbly 18-year-old Blair Fowler — aka juicystar07 — is YouTube’s queen of haul, posting hundreds of videos dedicated to her shopping habit on her hugely popular channel, which has had an unbelievable 52 million views. She has even been featured on Good Morning America and now has her own mobile phone accessories line. Not bad for bargain-obsessed teen fashionista.

Juicystar07


Blair is just one of thousands of YouTube haulers who obsessively catalogue their bargains; users ricebunny, CityandMakeup are also hugely popular, while DulceCandy87 posts beauty supply hauls that attract hundreds of thousands of views within hours.

Clearly, we bargain shoppers are a supportive lot — there’s something captivating and even inspiring about watching other bargain shoppers obsessively catalogue their deals.


DulceCandy87


But beyond that, I’m unclear what value viewers get out of YouTube hauls. Those lucky enough to live next to a Forever 21 can take advantage of some hot sale tips, I suppose, but for the rest of us it’s purely vicarious – and pointless. I’d much rather go score a haul of my own than watch somebody else rejoice over theirs. Now I know how my boyfriend feels!

What about you? Do you haul? Can you see the appeal in it? Or do you think it’s nothing more than bragging?

Written By Samantha Lee

If you’ve been in Sydney in the past few months and consider yourself a seasoned shopper, chances are you’ve been swept up in Zara mania.

The Spanish-based retail giant, which opened the doors of its flagship Australian store in Westfield Sydney on April 20, has been met with loads of excitement and about as much controversy.

Shoppers are still flocking to the Pitt St store and enduring checkout queues, seduced by the promise of on-trend and affordable clothing. Considering the brand’s international reputation for bringing catwalk-quality designs to the masses, Zara is already being hailed a game-changer in Australian retail.

But despite all this hype, I’m still left to question whether its overseas reputation has truly been realised here in Australia.

Word from the blogosphere is that Sydney’s store has become a dump-site for leftover European stock. Some unconvinced bloggers have described our Zara as a let-down, particularly those who have shopped at its sister outlets worldwide. Others can’t see what all the fuss is about, providing feedback that nothing in stock looks even remotely catwalk-worthy nor does it live up to expectations about clothing quality.

Visiting the store myself, I failed to find many of the clothing items that I recognised from the collection available online. Zara Sydney’s selection seems to lack the choice of styles and vibrant colours that have won the brand international acclaim. Asking one of the floor staff about its range, she reassured me that this collection was customised and chosen specifically for Australian shoppers, which may explain why much of the clothing and accessories stray from those available overseas.

Admittedly the prices are incredibly reasonable. Shoppers can pick up a pair of tailored pants for $50, t-shirts for $20 and winter knitwear from around $60. The garment quality, however, is still questionable. After attempting to try on several items with broken zippers or missing buttons, I left with two knit jumpers, one of which is already unravelling less than a week later.

What’s your opinion on all the Zara hype? Have you been there yet? Do you think it’s overrated?

I love setting myself a challenge when it comes to bargain shopping. Whether it’s to buy a hot wedding outfit for under $100 or to only buy supermarket-brand groceries for one week — setting mini money-saving goals like this can really help to keep spending habits in check and cash in your wallet. So when I heard about Salvos Stores’ “Buy Nothing New Month” it seemed like the perfect way to turn the month of October from a frivolous springtime spending spree into a thoughtful, environmentally-friendly, cash-conscious couple of weeks — with the chance to win prizes!

The idea is that during the month of October you only buy recycled goods (except for food, bills and necessities) — no matter what. Whether you need a new fridge, a new dress or a new set of dinner plates to host that daylight-savings barbeque, this month — if you take Salvos Stores’ challenge — you have to buy, borrow, barter or swap for stuff that’s 100 per cent genuine second hand.

I've started off the month by borrowing a book from a friend, which I probably would have bought fresh from the bookshop (in fact, I would have bought the whole series...) had I not been on my "nothing new diet", which has easily saved me $100. 

Apart from all the moolah you’ll save, getting on board Buy Nothing New Month will also take a load off the environment — literally — by slowing down the amount waste that goes to land fill.

The charity organisation is also giving away some rather appealing prizes in the form of cold hard cash (1st prize is $5000!) and other goodies. All you have to do is write in 150 words how you’ve changed your behaviour and bought nothing new in October (you also have to buy something from Salvos Stores), and then upload your photo or video onto the competition website. So you could actually earn money from showing off your bargain-buying talents. Grab all the details from www.nothingnew.com.au.

Need some inspiration on where to shop for pre-loved fashion and homewares during Buy Nothing New Month? Browse Bargain Shopper's listings for Vintage & Recycled fashion in Sydney, Charity Outlets in Sydney and Vintage & Pre-loved Fashion in Melbourne; or locate your nearest Salvos Store here. 


We’d love to know about your pre-loved purchases during Buy Nothing New Month. Share them below or let us know on Facebook or Twitter. How has the Salvos Stores' initiative made you rethink your buyer behaviour?

I am considering buying a pair of heavily discounted jeans online, and while I’m not baulking at the price (they're a steal — discounted from $180 to $75) the $10 postage fee has got me thinking: what if they don’t fit? What if the style doesn’t suit my shape? Of course, I can send them back, but is it worth it?

Is it a better “bargain” to take the risk of them not fitting and wear the postage fee (plus the extra postage cost and inconvenience of returning them) or to drive to a mall or jeans-laden shopping district and spend half a day trying on denim to find the perfectly-fitting pair, knowing that no money has gone to waste?

Considering I don’t particularly enjoy trying on jeans (it’s such a rigmarole to strip off your pants time after time and squeeze into those super-stiff-with-newness strides!) the answer is more or less staring me in the face. Paying for postage is paying for convenience of having the jeans ushered straight to your home for you to try on in front of your own private tell-it-like-it-is bedroom mirror.

I also figure that I probably wouldn’t be able to find as good a bargain in-store, and I’d end up spending that $10 anyway on parking and a food court lunch.

But what if the first pair doesn’t fit, and then the second and third pairs of jeans don’t fit either? Then I’m up to around $50 in debt with nothing to show for it. Maybe I should find a store that stocks this brand and style, try them on, then buy online. But by then the sale could be over!

It's all a matter of weighing up your priorities against convenience and cost. I think in this case I will "add to cart"... 

Do you always make sure you try on clothes in-store before buying them online? Or are you willing to take the pay-for-postage risk? Have you ever bought and sent back clothing items more than once, and was it worth it?

Comment below or email bargainguru@universalmagazines.com.au

Winter has more than arrived and our summer outfits have disappeared into hibernation. Hard as it is to get out of bed on these frosty mornings, for me it’s even harder finding something to wear. In summer I’m happy to throw on a sun dress and thongs; in winter it’s all about socks, tights, long sleeved tops, jackets, gloves and hats…

As with all my bargain fashion decisions, in winter I calculate value for money according to cost per wear. I might spend a small fortune on a dress, but if I wear it to death then the expense is justified. If, on the other hand, I buy a cheap item but rarely wear it, my pocket change was wasted. There are certain items in my wardrobe that fit into the first category — where items practically pay for themselves given how often I wear them. Here are my top five priceless pieces that are getting a good workout right now:

1. Black cotton leggings. These are a pivotal part of my winter uniform. I wear them with everything — summer dresses, winter dresses, oversized shirts. Just call me liquorice legs.
2. Fine wool cardigans. Country Road and Witchery do great basic cardis that can be worn year-round; I own them in black and grey so am pretty much covered for every outfit.
3. Flat leather boots. Heeled versions might look nicer, but when all’s said and done I’m a lazy girl who prefers to be comfortable when it’s cold. Worn over leggings or jeans, with dresses or skirts, these are a winner in any colour (though I favour black and brown).
4. A silk party dress. It’s tricky to look pretty in winter, thanks to the bulk of layers. Thank goodness for my long-sleeve cream silk dress (picked up at a Bettina Liano sale) that I can dress up with stockings, heels and a belt, or dress down with leggings.
5. Ugg Boots. Not exactly a fashion statement but Uggs are the perfect footwear to come home to at night or wear on the way to yoga.

What items in your wardrobe are worth their weight in gold in the colder months? Comment on the Bargain Shopper blog or email bsgm@universalmagazines.com.au

Who do you think is happier — the bargain hunter who shops around for the absolute best deal, or the consumer who is content with finding a product that’s “good enough”? The answer may surprise...

At the 2010 Happiness and its Causes conference taking place in Sydney this week, author and professor of psychology Barry Schwartz is speaking about consumer happiness, and how the availability of so much choice in the market has led many of us to become anxious, indecisive, over-shoppers who are obsessed with finding the best deal, and who are more miserable for it.

Where we might have once been content to buy the local baker’s bread, the corner store’s milk and household goods from the closest shopping mall, we are now so spoilt for choice that we overanalyse every purchase and literally “shop til we drop”, which — a study by Schwartz has shown — increases the likelihood of being unhappy with our buys.

Whether it’s the kind of milk we’re buying at the supermarket or an internet package or a pair of jeans — the abundance of choice is bewildering. And the more time we spend ensuring we make the “right” choice, the more likely we are to be dissatisfied.

Your consumer personality

In his book The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less, Schwartz shows how everyone has a kind of consumer 'personality', which falls somewhere on a scale: at one end are “maximisers” — those who always try to make the best possible choice when shopping, and at the other end are “satisficers” — those who are content with “good enough” and who are not worried by the possibility that something might be better.

While maximisers spend time researching, looking online, checking labels, and reading consumer magazines — they were found to be less happy with their purchases than those who were satisfied with “good enough”. Maximisers are more susceptible to feelings of regret and failure if they find out — post-purchase — that they overlooked a better deal.

So — would you consider yourself a maximiser or a satisficer? As bargain shoppers, there’s probably a bit of maximiser in all of us; but that doesn’t necessarily mean we’re unhappy shoppers. There are definitely ways to take the anxiety out of “maximisier” shopping, and to put the happiness back into the experience of finding the best deal.

How to be a happy shopper

Schwartz himself touched on the solution in an article published in The Sydney Morning Herald. The university professor said he has a vision of a community of friends where someone is the expert on consumer electronics, another on restaurants, another on computers and so on — so that you can effectively “outsource” the decision-making (and the anxiety that surrounds it) to friends when you need to find the best deal on a product you don’t know much about.

I think the reason I don’t get too up-tight about shopping for “the best” is because  I outsource a lot of the decision-making to the Bargain Shopper website (apologies for the blatant self-promo — but it's true!). Where shall I shop for jeans today? Or where will I find the best deals on underwear? Just type it into the search box and you can be pretty confident you’ll find a shop with excellent value for money.

But there definitely are times when I find myself shopping all day only to find absolutely zilch that is “good enough”, or I regret buying something because I find out my friend found a better deal elsewhere, which inevitably does make me a bit miserable.

The solution? Schwartz suggests practising a few “satisficer” habits, which might include limiting the number of shops you visit, giving yourself a time deadline to make a purchase, and changing your shopping criterion from “best” to “good enough”.

I’m thinking if I change my standards from “drop dead amazing” to “pretty darn good”, feelings of regret and failure will be a-goner, and I’ll be a happy shopper forever more!

Now that would be better than best.


Are you a maximiser or a satisficer? Are you always happy with your purchases? How do you take the anxiety out of finding the best deal?

There are some things I hate spending money on. From gym gear to homewares and petrol, these are my begrudged buys.

It seems my hard-earned money disappears each week into a bottomless well of necessities. I can understand rent and groceries — I like a roof over my head and food on my plate — but do I really need to buy things that will provide no pleasure? Yes, my runners have holes in them (probably because I drag my feet all the way to the gym) but I’d much rather buy a nice dress than a new pair. And sure I need sensible work clothes, but I’ll only wear them while sitting in front of a computer all day. Each time I make such a purchase, I’m sure I scare off the shop attendant with my gritted teeth and scowls.

So what can be done to ease the pain of buying these unwanted but necessary things in our lives? For me, it’s all about finding the best bargain and laughing in the face of over-priced goods.

For example, when my runners were banned from the gym recently I hit the outlets for a discounted pair. Has anyone seen the cost of sportswear lately? For something you’re just going to sweat in, it’s ridiculously overpriced. By hitting the retail outlets, I spent $70 instead of $200. Not so painful.

When stocking up on work clothes, I make a list of what I need, always looking for maximum versatility. There’s no point buying a top that will only go with one thing; think simple and basic, so you can wear each item with a variety of skirt, pants and dress combinations. I’ve also found that layers go a long way; think black leggings and long-sleeve tops. What was once merely a lovely summer dress for the warmer months can be thrown over the trusty aforementioned pieces for a cosy outfit in winter.

The next undesirable is homewares. Whether you’re hosting or attending a party, you generally need platters, cheese knives or serving bowls. My solution is to hit the op shops. I’ve found some great items; $5 never-been-used china platters; old-fashioned cutlery and 50¢ champagne saucers for the races. At such low prices, it doesn’t matter if you break them or leave the lot behind.

Last on my black list is petrol. I hate buying it but don’t get very far without it. Like everything else in my life, I shop around for the best price, take discount shopping dockets along for the ride and make my purchase on the lower-priced days — namely Tuesdays and Wednesdays. And, to reward my endeavours, I buy myself a sweet treat for the journey home.

What are your resentful purchases? Comment below or email bsgm@universalmagazines.com.au

And the lessons I learnt from them...

Sifting through my assortment of summer bargains strewn across the bed, my expression shifts from delight (I can’t WAIT to wear that) to confusion (what on earth was I thinking?!). Yes, readers — I, too, make bargain blunders. I make simple mistakes that result in wasted money, wardrobe clutter and a slightly damaged bargain-hunting reputation. So, this year, I am determined to see the errors of my ways and never make the same mistakes again.

Bargain mistake #1

After stumbling across an amazing weekend clearance sale in Alexandria (Sydney’s bargain Hot Spot) in a pop-up boutique, I thought I’d struck gold. A small semi-circle of racks was packed full of premium past season stock. Only problem was... nothing was in my size. After trying on a series of ill-fitting pieces, I finally found a super sexy racer back silk dress with my number on it. One look in the skinny, slanted mirror (which was half covered in reject try-ons and obscured by fellow self-gawking shoppers) told me it was perfect. I bagged the $60 dress (reduced from $250), only to arrive home and find that it, too, did not fit... AT ALL. I then had to go out and buy a new bra, some Hollywood tape, some new shoes and take to it with my sewing kit just to make it work. Bargain? I think not.

Bargain shopping lessons:

• Sizes differ between brands, so don’t assume your usual size will fit. Try before you buy.
• Take a long, hard look in the (preferably straight) change room mirror from a range of distances.
• Get a second opinion on the outfit.

Bargain mistake #2

I’m at the checkout of Witchery and I’m fishing through the bowl of massively reduced-price jewellery on the counter. I LOVE Witchery accessories, and so I pick out a pair of earrings. I thought the red sticker said $5 — it actually said $20 — but I buy them anyway. Still a bargain (they are Witchery after all). I wear them that night bar-hopping, and as I’m running to catch my train home I hear the dreaded tinkle of a broken earring falling onto bitumen. I inspect the surviving earring under the light and realise it was being held together by a wire coil as thin as a fine hair. Should have seen that coming.

Bargain shopping lessons:

• Never assume that a great brand equals great quality. Designer labels make mistakes too, which is sometimes why the product is reduced.
• Inspect the item closely! Look for design faults, marks or scratches and always notify the sales assistant of these before you make your purchase. You could even ask for a further discount. It’s not a bargain if it’s only going to last one night.

Bargain mistake #3

Desperate to spruce up my man’s wardrobe with a few unique tees, I hit Glebe markets on a stinking hot Saturday. It takes me 45 minutes to drive there in Saturday traffic and when I arrive, the Broadway parking lot is a war zone of cars tailing trolley-pushing pedestrians to their vehicles. The markets are a heaving mass of sweaty bodies, I haven’t had my coffee, and my vision is blurry from the heat. I spot a menswear stall and pick out two tees for $50. No, make it four for $80. I may as well, after coming all this way and enduring all this pain! Did I want a receipt? Nah don’t worry — I’m outta here. When I get home, I collapse on the lounge room floor and hold up my purchases.

“Who are they for?” he asks.
 
“You,” I reply sweetly.

“Well, thanks, honey but... well, I don’t think they’re me.”

I take a closer look. Hmm. You mean you don’t like loose fit, round-neck choker tees with skull-and-cross-bone graphics? Oh. My bad. In my rush to escape the sweltering markets I’d bagged whatever t-shirts were at arm’s length. I mean, I had to get something to make the trip “worth it”, right? Wrong.

Bargain shopping lessons:

• Shopping for someone else is always a risk, but if you do it — pay attention to their style, and always keep the receipt.
• Consider the weather conditions and how this will affect your shopping trip — sunshine and rain can both cause chaos with traffic, parking and crowds.
• Be prepared with an umbrella, coat, hat, sunscreen and water, depending on the weather. Being comfortable helps you to make better decisions when you’re shopping.

What bargain shopping mistakes have you made and what did you learn from them? Comment below or email bargainguru@universalmagainzes.com.au.

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner — so how can you find the best value diamond ring to suit your budget?
 
WOW — I have discovered so much about how to find the best-value-for-money diamond ring since writing the latest article for Bargain Shoppers — 'How to buy the best value diamond ring' — that I’m tempted to go out now and buy one!

There are so many things to think about — the ‘four Cs’, the price points, and which areas you’re willing to compromise on to meet your budget. It’s just a matter of deciding what looks good on your ring finger (oh, and that minor detail of finding a fiancé!).
 
I also spoke with a handful of engaged and married friends to find out their tips on buying a beautiful engagement ring that didn't exceed their budget, and whilst they’re not jewellers — they certainly can speak from experience! Here are a few of their suggestions...

(PS: these tips assume you know a little bit about the ‘four Cs’. If you don’t, get up to speed by clicking the link above.)

Diamond ring shopping tips: 

• “Clarity is one of the ‘Cs’ that can make a relatively small diamond expensive, or a bigger diamond affordable.”
• “I would say a diamond’s cut needs to be either Excellent or Very Good — otherwise it won't reflect the sun and sparkle the way a diamond should.”
• “When it comes to colour, D E and F diamonds are considered colourless and are VERY expensive. G H I and J are, in my opinion the best compromise as they are ‘near colourless’ but not crazy-expensive. Any further down the scale and you will start to see the yellowish colour of a cheaper diamond.”
• “The diamonds in chain retail stores, while cheaper, are shocking compared with boutique jewellers.”
• “For me — a diamond with a carat between 0.7 and 0.8 was in my range depending on other criteria. Colour had to be G, H, or I (one step below colourless). I didn't want a yellowish diamond but the colourless ones are VERY expensive. Cut needed to be Very Good (I could afford excellent but the size would have to be reduced to 0.5 to 0.6, and I don't think Excellent is necessary in a relatively small diamond).
• “Don't bother with any retail name with a shop front. You are paying a premium to cover all their overheads.”
• “I did look online [Blue Nile in the US] but at the end of the day I wasn't comfortable parting with thousands over the internet to a faceless company who I knew nothing about. Ring shopping is very intense and personal — I needed the face-to-face relationship."

 
What questions or tips do you have on buying the best value diamond and engagement rings? Comment on this post or email bargainguru@universalmagazines.com.au.

Bargain Shoppers Guide to Melbourne editor, Beth Anderson, shared her hottest bargain shopping tips for Christmas on Channel 7’s Today Tonight program on Monday 23 November.

Christmas is nearly upon us, and while everyone is looking forward to getting together with family, slicing the ham and cracking open the champagne, Australian families are not looking forward to outlaying hundreds in hard-earned cash on Christmas presents. With interest rates on the rise and a recovering economy, families around the country are rethinking their Christmas spend this year.

But to those families who are concerned about blowing their budget on Christmas presents this year, Bargain Shoppers Guide to Melbourne editor Beth Anderson says — never fear

Gift-giving is such an important part of the Christmas tradition, and, thankfully, there are ways you can find the best quality Christmas presents at bargain prices, leaving you with plenty of money left over to enjoy yourself over Christmas and New Year. 

Hear what Beth had to say on Today Tonight about where, when, how and what presents to buy for loved ones this Christmas – on a budget.

Also, follow Bargain Shoppers on Twitter to find out about the best sales in the lead up to Christmas! Follow BargainGuide for Melbourne and BargainGuru for Sydney.