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 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.

 

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 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

We all know there’s a goldmine of online discount stores on the web, but there’s also a handful of website gems that can help you save even more money as you shop. Here is a bunch of my favourite online bargain shopping resources:

Coupon codes

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: never purchase something online without first searching online for a coupon code. There’s often a better deal out there that’s just a coupon code away. Simply enter the store name and the words “coupon code” into Google and see what comes up. Or conduct a search on Retail Me Not (www.retailmenot.com). The codes with the highest success rate are the most reliable. Another site that lists coupon codes as well as vouchers, deals and freebies is OzBargain (www.ozbargain.com.au). Follow them on Twitter and Facebook to hear about the latest deals.

Best price

There’s nothing better than knowing you got the best price on a great-quality product. The website Getprice (www.getprice.com.au) is a convenient way to compare costs of a range of products — from computers to clothing and kids’ toys, so you can find the lowest price. Shopbot (www.shopbot.com.au) does the same kind of thing. Then there are more specialised “best price” websites such as Zuji (www.zuji.com.au), which scans airline carriers, hotels and travel agencies for the best flights and accommodation prices. Trust me — these websites save you hours of phone calls and shop visits to find the best deal.

Cash back

Did you think that by buying online you were cutting out the “middle man” and all the costs that went with him? Well, that’s sometimes true, but there is still often extra cash passing hands in many online transactions that would be better off being in your wallet. Enter: MoneyBackCo (www.moneybackco.com.au) — a website that pays what’s known as “referral money” (the money earned by a website to “refer” shoppers onto purchasing from another website) back to you, the customer. There is an annual fee of $10, but this could quickly be redeemed, depending on how often you shop online. Our advice is to inspect MoneyBackCo’s lists of merchants, and if you think you would make a number of purchases from these web stores per year, it could be worth it. You’d just have to remember to make purchases through MoneyBackCo (ie log into their website first then buy your product via their website) to ensure you get the money back. We spotted some good merchants, including StrawberryNet, iSubscribe, Perfume Empire, Zodee and travel companies such as Qantas and Expedia.

Catalogues

I am lucky (or cursed?) that I live within close proximity to three major grocery stores, and three major shopping malls in Sydney. So how do I decide where I’m going to shop each week? If time is on my side, I’ll scan the catalogues on Lasoo (www.lasoo.com.au), which conveniently sources all the catalogue specials of the week from major retailers, from food to homewares and electrical goods. Just spotted a special on Lindt dark chocolate selling for $1.75 a block at Coles. Toodooloo!

Bulk buy — minus the bulk

I was very excited when I heard about the US website Get Grouby (www.getgrouby.com), which allows people to make bulk-buy savings without having to deal with the bulk. That is, you can nominate to purchase a product via Get Grouby, then wait for a group of people to do the same. Once there are enough people in your group to make the purchase, the product is yours at bulk-buy price, but split between the people in your group. Thankfully, there are websites in Australia that offer the same kind of service. Our Deal (www.ourdeal.com.au) gives you collective buying power on a range of things to eat, see and do in your city, with savings of up to 70 per cent. OfferMe (www.offerme.com.au) also has a Group Buy service, with categories ranging from technology to travel and some fashion and accessories. Both websites look impressive, and each service gives you the ability to tell all your friends about your prospective purchase using the integrated social networking tools — the aim being to get enough people on board your bulk-buy so you can all enjoy the discount!

What’s your favourite online resource that helps you save money when shopping? Comment below or email bargainguru@universalmagazines.com.au

1. You excitedly tell anyone within hearing range how much you paid for your latest bargain. You also throw in the original price (and perhaps the percentage saved) for good measure.

2. You find yourself standing on tip toes or squatting on the floor at the supermarket. You know that premium-position shelves at eye-level are bought rather than earned, so the best bargains are to be had in the ‘cheap seats’.

3. You’re a member of every frequent flyer or rewards program for which membership is free. You have a VIP shopping card for all your favourite stores. In short - you love freebies.

4. You can’t remember the last time you paid full price for a piece of clothing. You assess your outfit each day and pride yourself not only on its price but also the value per wear achieved.

5. You find yourself advertising upcoming sales to friends and work colleagues via text, phone, email, Facebook — and any other means of communication within reach.

6. The last time you went to the movies any day other than Tuesday was back when your parents still bought your ticket.

7. You go out of your way to find a petrol station that offers a shopping docket deal. Even though you know it will only incur a saving of a few dollars, it’s still better than paying full price.

8. You’re going on holidays and suspend your gym membership for the duration of the trip — even if you’ll only be away for a week.

9. You wouldn’t dream of buying something on the ‘just arrived’ rack — even if it’s in a factory outlet.

10. You buy your summer clothes in winter and your winter clothes in summer. Sure, you might not be able to wear those lovely boots on a 35-degree day, but come winter they’ll be a welcome alternative to your thongs.

What telltale sign proves you’re a bargain hunter? Comment on the Bargain Shopper blog or email bsgm@universalmagazines.com.au

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

Pay day comes and your money disappears. Whether departing to rent, the credit card bill, your latest car service or the food fund, all of a sudden there’s nothing left for you or your nest egg. So what can be done to improve your saving skills?

Lunch money
Until recently, I’ve always packed my own lunch during the week. But since selling my car and learning the pleasures (or otherwise) of the tram it’s not so simple to bring your tub of soup or salad all the way to the office. Even if the cafe next door is as cheap as chips, it’s still nothing compared to the value (both financial and nutritional) of a homemade lunch.

When making dinner at night, cook extra for the next few days. On weekends, make soup and freeze it in portions. And for tram commuters like myself, invest in a lunch box or cooler bag!

It’s not just office lunches that eat up our budget; the morning coffee also plays its part. A measly $3 a day soon adds up — that’s $15 a working week, $60 a month and $720 a year. Perhaps the old espresso machine in the tearoom’s not looking so bad after all...

Supermarket sweep
While still on the subject of cuisine, great savings can be had by instigating sensible grocery shopping tactics. I do one major shop a week, and never on an empty stomach (to avoid going over the top with my purchases). When possible, I hit the market first for all my fresh fruit and vegetables. At the supermarket — armed with a list — I buy only the ingredients required for my dinner plans for the week and any extras needed for lunches. This is a great way not only of saving money, but also reducing waste.

Get moving
For my annual gym membership, I don’t get much change from $1000. While I’m all for the benefits of a good spin or pump session, free exercise is just as beneficial. Walking, riding your bike, chasing the dog around the park – these are all cost-free ways of keeping fit and looking great. Or, if you need someone else to get you motivated, chip in with some friends and hire a personal trainer. Paying a subsidised rate for a couple of sessions a week will not only save you money but — if you’re anything like me — it will be a greater motivator to get moving.

Do I really need it?
I am blessed — or cursed — to live in close proximity to a fabulous discount shopping strip? A favourite weekend activity used to involve scouring the stores and uncovering an assortment of treasures. The realisation eventually struck that I was buying something new every week. So I banned this activity from my agenda and, lo and behold, I no longer spend my cash on non-essentials. In fact, when I do buy anything new it’s after careful evaluation of what I truly need rather than a fanciful whim.

What is your best money-saving advice? Comment below or email bsgm@universalmagazines.com.au