Written by Cara Jackson

A good relationship with a retail assistant is key to having a good shopping experience. Each retail assistant is employed to serve, help and maintain the appearance of the store. They understand their own roles and are equipped with plenty of useful product knowledge. It is the retail assistant that can point you in the direction of amazing sale items that you may have otherwise missed.

Here are a few of our tips on how to get the most (and maybe bag a bargain) from the person behind the counter.

Be polite, considerate and respectful

To get the best help and advice from a shop assistant you need to treat them with respect. It’s as simple as being polite and using your manners. A shopper who is nice to a sales assistant will get genuine help and advice and in many cases, the shop assistant will go above and beyond their role to ensure the customer has a good experience. Alternatively, a shopper who is rude and obnoxious will get the least amount of help while in the store.

Don’t be afraid to ask

The best way to be sale-savvy is to ask your shop assistant about the current sales that the store has running. They can point you in the right direction to ensure that you leave the store with the right product and no buyer’s remorse.

Give yourself plenty of time to shop

Entering a shop five minutes before closing and taking your time shopping can annoy sales assistants. By staying in a shop after closing you are forcing the assistant work later than required. Many have a tendency to tell customers anything just to make the sale a quick process. If you want genuine service, aim to shop well before closing time.

Minimise distractions

Avoid getting distracted by talking on your phone when being served. This is the time that shop assistants inform customers about special deals or sales that are running. Being distracted prevents them from voicing these offers, and you may miss out on something exciting.

Haggle

Don’t be afraid to politely ask for a discount when buying an expensive product. In many cases you will get one. Stores like JB Hi-Fi, Bunnings Warehouse and The Good Guys have sales assistants that will happily bargain with you over price.

However, be aware that many smaller stores don’t allow their workers to give further discounts to customers. If a shop assistant says that they are not allowed to give you a discount, it is unlikely that you will be able to change their mind.

Treating shop assistants with respect is a fantastic way to ensure you get bang for your buck. From being shown the perfect dress on the discount rack to being offered a VIP store membership, being courteous is a great way to grab a bargain.

Think you know where all the online bargins are? Think again...

 

Whether you’re completely sold on online shopping or you dabble in the occasional web buy, there’s one certainty about the “add to cart” experience — and that is: there are plenty of bargains to be found.

From daily deals sites to private shopping clubs, there are so many “up to 70 per cent off” emails arriving in the average bargain hunter’s inbox each day that seasoned shoppers are becoming relatively numbed to words (SALE!) that were once music to their ears... that is until they get a whiff of another bargain!

Such is the thrill of the hunt that we’re never tired of hearing about more chances to save money shopping online. And so without further ado, let us introduce to you a newcomer on the bargain shopping scene — Grays Outlet — which we're sure will tickly your bargain bone a much as the Boxing Day sales. 

An extension of the well known auction site Grays Online, Grays Outlet is Australia’s first online outlet centre, offering a huge range of discounted products by brands you know and love (but which you would prefer not to buy at full retail price!).

You can find up to 70 per cent off the RRP on everything from cosmetics to kitchen appliances, clothing, footwear, wine and fragrances from top labels.

Our first browse of the site revealed some great bargains, such as Mossimo dress for $34.95 (a saving of 56 per cent off the RRP) and a 75mL bottle of Diesel Plus Masculine Eau de Toilette for 80 per cent of its usual retail price — at the time of writing down to a miniscule $4.95. Kids don’t miss out either, with average savings on toys being up around 57 per cent. We also spotted brands such as Calvin Klein, Diana Ferrari, Panasonic and Dell.

The site is super easy to navigate and offers something for everyone with consumer, commercial and industrial products available. Now excuse us while we avoid the Christmas sale crowds and cash in on some excellent online bargains...

 

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.

 

 

Written by Kristen Le

Grocery shopping is a task that all of us encounter at some stage, yet despite being a weekly event, many of us still don’t get the hang of how to grocery shop in a way that’s optimum for our bank accounts. Here are fifteen hot tips to help you get frugal at the grocery store.

1. Planning exactly what meals you’re going to have will mean knowing exactly what you’ll need to purchase; this will cut down impulse buys drastically, and also reduce the number of times you’ll need to go to the shop.

2. Before you leave the house to go grocery shopping, do a “once over” of your kitchen cupboards and check what items are there; this will save you doubling up on items you forgot you already had and wasting money.

3. Check the use-by-date of any perishable items, like milk. If you found that you didn’t use it that much last time, buy a smaller quantity next time. This will save money and wastage.

4. Write a shopping list and stick to it - no more aimless wandering in the candy aisle for things you don’t need!

5. When you go to the grocery store take cash only, and leave your EFTPOS or credit cards at home; it’ll limit the amount you can spend and get you thinking more critically about what items you really need.

6. Buy items with a relatively long shelf life in bulk - rice, pasta or a large block of longer-lasting cheeses like cheddar are good examples. Only buy in bulk items that you know you or your family will consume.

7. Avoid frozen and pre-packaged meals; they’re expensive and usually don’t yield that many servings. Buy fresh and cook from scratch when possible.

8. Buy vegies on an as-needed basis; you’ll want them to be fresh, and they’re fairly inexpensive. This is better than buying lots of vegies and not being able to use them all then throwing them out.

9. Fresh fruit should be bought in small amounts and in a decent variety; this will ensure a bit of something for everyone. You can always go back to buy more fruit later if needed.

10. Buy canned fruits and vegetables; they’re cheap, have a very long shelf life, and can be used in a wide variety of ways.

11. Keep your eye out for weekly flyers or catalogues from your local grocery store; it will alert you of the best discounts and offers at the time.

12. Meat is usually the most expensive item on the shopping list, but many people don’t want to skimp on the quality, so head out early to a market and bulk-buy meat, then freeze it in portions (but don’t buy more than you’ll realistically use!).

13. You can also save on meat by buying less expensive cuts, like brisket or ham hock - they are slightly more fatty but can be slow cooked so that the fat melts and the meat is tender. Chicken, turkey and pork will generally be less expensive than beef and lamb. Alternatively, serve meat in less meals.

14. Canned tuna is cheap, high in protein and easy to add to pasta, or salads to make decent meals.

15. “Home brand” items are often very similar in quality to branded items, but much cheaper. “Home brand” cereals, yoghurts, cheese, bread and cleaning products can be significantly cheaper than their respective branded versions - remember you want to pay for quality, not fancy packaging, so do your research and compare nutritional values if unsure; you’ll often find that the “home brand” versions are not far off branded.

 

Written by Kristen Le

So far, we’ve covered the dress and the shoes; you’ve managed to borrow a hot little number off a friend and invested in some nude-coloured pumps – so far so good, but what about the accessories? Spring Racing Carnival just isn’t the same without some kind of headpiece and perhaps a little bling, so here are some tips on how to get this part right without blowing your budget.

THE ACCESSORIES

When it comes to the races, I would say I have a love/hate relationship with hats and fascinators – in particular with the latter. On the one hand, they can look absolutely stunning, and they’re nice to bring out for special occasions...but on the other hand, when else would you really need to wear something like a fascinator? Appropriate events are few and far between, and unless you’re a regular Autumn and Spring race-goer, it’s understandable if you’re a bit hesitant in spending a lot on something you may only ever wear once in your life, or at least once a year. Whilst the universe won’t explode if you don’t wear a hat or fascinator to a race day, you might feel very naked without one amongst the abundance of other frilled and feathered headwear around you.

Hats are a good option because they are practical; they provide shade and you’re therefore more likely to wear them to other occasions – lunches, picnics, the beach – and so on. Fascinators however, are usually more dainty, show your face more, and won’t reveal embarrassing hat-hair if they blow off into the wind. The downside is they can also be quite expensive! Try a DIY approach by buying pieces for your fascinator from a craft store like Lincraft or Spotlight and putting your customised headpiece together yourself. This way you can make sure the colour and style matches your outfit perfectly. If opting for a hat – you can add on embellishments and features in the same manner. Discount department stores like Target, Kmart and Big W also sell an abundance of hats and fascinators in basic colours for a decent price – have a look and see if you can spruce these up to match your outfit more, or for the biggest bargain visit a few op shops and see what you can find. Chain stores like Diva, Equip and Lovisa also sell headpieces suitable for the races, and if you don’t want to wear a hat or fascinator, a cute detailed headband will also do the trick, and are usually much cheaper.

As for jewellery, sometimes more items might not even be needed – a hat or fascinator often stands out enough, and you don’t want to clutter your outfit by over-accessorising. Stick to simple rather than statement pieces – smaller earrings and a simple wrist cuff can be enough. Check out the op shops for one-off pieces or borrow from a friend for a budget way to accessorise.

 

 So that brings our budget spring racing planning advice to a close. Have you got any special tips that you are planning on using in preparation for race days?

Written by Kristen Le

 

 Spring time always brings with it a real zest for life that I can’t help but love. Flowers start blooming, the sun seems to shine brighter, and what now appears to be only drab greys and blacks of my winter wardrobe start getting replaced by bright colours and adventurous fabrics. So it’s no surprise that one of the things I look forward to the most each spring is an event where all of the blossoming, sunshine and colour seem to entwine into a giant celebration of the season – the Spring Racing Carnival.

 The chance to take advantage of the beautiful weather, spend a whole day enjoying the company of good friends, and to get all dressed up and looking a little fabulous – it’s sometimes hard to resist the spontaneous acts of splurging that tend to happen in the months leading up to the races. A new dress here; some wedges there. A fascinator over there...but that one doesn’t match my dress for Oaks so I’ll probably have to buy a second one...ahhh! Before I know it, hundreds of dollars will have vanished from my wallet before I can utter “Makybe Diva”. So what’s the solution? Careful planning, a bit of foresight and as always – shopping discipline! Here are some tips on how to do the races in smashing style, without smashing your bank account.

 

THE DRESS

 I’ll admit, there have been times where I’ve gone out shopping and seen “the one”...you know, that one dress you lay eyes on and suddenly life feels meaningless without it? Turns out that I do this quite often, and looking into my wardrobe, it did make me think – was I really in love with each dress at first sight? Maybe, yes, but I could have saved a lot of money if I had thought ahead a little. When shopping for the races it’s natural to want to stand out, but if your dress features bold colours, zany prints or is impractical in cut, ask yourself before buying if you would wear such a dress again; try to think of at least 3 specific events or occasions you would be able to wear it to, and if not, ask if it’s really worth the price you’re paying? Consider the fabric – it will say something about the longevity of the dress, and the longer it lasts, the more chances you’ll get to wear it in the future. Also check out the washing instructions – is it “dry-clean only”? Remember these points and if it really is love, try to make sure it’s lasting love, not fleeting love! Another great way to save on your dress for the races is to swap or borrow a pre-loved one from a girlfriend – this is especially good if you’re going to more than one race day. Lastly, if you really can’t resist the urge to splurge, try buying a bright top and wearing it with a skirt you already own; smaller garments usually cost much less than a dress.

 

Stay tuned for How to plan your races outfit on a budget: Part 2 – THE SHOES

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?

News flash: finding products to make your hair look amazing doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Save your pennies and forget your local salon. Here are our bargain-product picks for radiant-looking hair that save you money and time as well!

By Alex Lazcano.


Garnier Fructis Colour Last Shampoo and Conditioner $5.95
If you’ve splurged on getting your hair coloured then making sure that your colour stays vibrant is vital. There are loads of salon shampoos and conditioners with chemical/heat protection but on top of the cost of colour their prices make us wince. Some brands you can find at the supermarket do just as good a job. We find the Garnier brand leaves your hair feeling healthy and full, while helping to maintain colour.

Dove Damage Therapy Daily Treatment Conditioner — Intensive Repair $7.99
If you have dry and brittle hair then this daily treatment is a great alternative to getting a professional one, simply because it keeps your hair healthy and strong with everyday use. However, remember to only use a small amount to avoid product build-up.

Body Shop Coconut Oil Hair Shine $13.95
Your skin isn’t the only thing that needs protection from the harsh Australian sun. Your locks can take a UV beating as well, and swimming in saltwater can also cause your hair to dry out. While we know everybody is crazy about Moroccan Oil to moisturise hair, at around $50 for 100ml it’s out of our bargain radar. This moisturising balm from The Body Shop is made with pure coconut oil to add shine and definition to all hair types.

Pantene Pro V Deep Fortifying treatments $6.99
If your hair has been through a tough time and needs some serious TLC then try a Deep Fortifying treatment from Pantene. Not only is it affordable but you will get more than one use out of this tube. Use it once a week or once a fortnight and your hair will feel like it's had a royal salon treatment every time.

Avon Naturals Macadamia and Aloe Smooth & Silky Shampoo $3.99
Avon has a great variety of scented shampoos that don’t leave your hair feeling drab like some other non-salon brands. Priced at $3.99 they are value-for-money in a bottle. We love Avon’s shampoo with natural macadamia oil and aloe vera.

Avon Naturals Almond Milk & Wheat Protein 2-in-1 $4.99
Now ladies, try not to shudder at the thought of having to use 2-in-1…because this is unlike any 2-in-1 you have ever used or had nightmares about. This gentle shampoo/conditioner not only smells great but also leaves your hair tangle free and soft. It’s perfect for busy women, and men will love the convenience of it, too.

Batiste Dry Hair Shampoo $9.95
Running late to work and have no time to wash out your tresses? Easy spray your roots with this dry shampoo and your hair will feel clean, fresh and smell great!


What bargain hair products do you swear by? Comment below or email bargainguru@universalmagazines.com.au

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