Bagging A Bargain - How to shop for less

When you're out shopping for your home, follow these simple ideas to ensure that you always pay the lowest price.

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Everyone loves the idea of getting something cheaper than the standard price.

In this article we look at ways of bagging a bargain whether you are shopping for new furniture and accessories or second hand finds.

1. Plan for what you need.

This isn't the most exciting thing to start the article off but it will pay you dividends never the less.

Before you go out on a shopping trip, or when you are planning to refurnish a room or your whole house...plan it out. Write a list of all the things you need, room-by-room. Colour, size, shape style, quantity.

Doing this means that not only will you focus on what you really need, the style, shape colour that will work, but you won't get carried away and by some really inappropriate item on the spur of the moment.

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2. Hold off until the time is right...or at least until the sales are on.

Plan what you need then be ready for the 'sales'.

Furniture, Bathrooms & Kitchens, Household Good, Home wares - the major sales usually take place in January and then through the summer. But keep your eyes open as the large chains have clear outs every couple of months and often hold special weekend long promotions.

Bathrooms & Kitchens, Sofas - These shops often hold promotional weekends during the bank holidays.

3. Ask for a discount.

Obviously this will be something that the more confident will find easier than the meek. Approach the subject with the pitch that you have a set budget and that you want to know if you can obtain the item at a discount that fits into your spend. Find out if you can buy ex display items. These can be as much as 50% cheaper.

4. Check the auction lists.

For a number of reasons companies sell off brand new goods bargain basement prices. Sometimes the businesses have gone bust, sometimes they are getting rid of last seasons stock. Check your local press and evening papers for auctions. Also visit the auction websites (see below).

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5. Don't get caught up in the moment.

Is this really a bargain? Ask yourself:

Do you really want the item or are you just going with the emotion of finding a bargain?
Are there any other costs that you haven't seen, related to this purchase?
Are you sure it's a bargain...it might be cheaper elsewhere.
Never mind what the discount ...is it really worth the money you're going to pay for it?
Would you still buy it if the sales weren't on?

6. Use the internet to find a great bargain.

You can find great prices on the internet and you don't have to move from your living room.

There are quite a few price comparison sites now so try typing in what you are looking for and see what comes up. The comparison sites will return a list of different outlets that are selling the item you desire. They will be listed in price order and even compare the quality of service.

Be careful to buy like for like...some department stores and shops will include extended warranties, delivery and offer good after sales service. Some internet outlets may not be around in a year from now...so no extra service there!

Try Kelkoo or Priceguide (see below for details).

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7. Buy on a website that rewards you.

Backhander is a bit of a strong word for this one but there are some websites out there that will pay you back 5% of what ever you buy for buying through them. one is rather aptly named Greasy palm (see below). They advertise sites such as MFI, Heals, Laura Ashley, B&Q, Sofa Workshop. You get a cash payment at the end of the month.

8. Find discount retailers.

There are now several companies that handle the overstock, returned stock and cancelled orders for the big names on the high street. M&S, Heals, Habitat, Laura Ashley etc. Companies like Trade Secrets, Buck Furniture Warehouse, showhome Furniture Warehouse, and many others sell goods for up to 70% below high street prices. (See below).

9. Use the factory stores.

Like the discount retailers, these outlets, usually grouped together in out of town business parks, sell last seasons goods and diffusion lines. Make sure that you keep you list of 'what you need' handy and don't succumb to 'bargainitus' in the heat of the moment.

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10. Buy direct from the manufacturer.

When you are shopping check the manufacturer of the items and look them up on the internet. See if you can buy cheaper by going direct to them.

11. Buy seconds.

Seconds are not always inferior products. Sometimes it is difficult to see why a piece has bee rejected. Nothing sold as a second should be less in quality of use than it's 'perfect' counterpart. If the item is sold as a second, you have the same statutory rights and should expect to be buying a product of merchantable quality.

12. Open a store card and get the discounts.

Though store cards charge crippling interest rates, they often give you generous discounts if you buy goods on opening an account. If you are planning on buying a large item in a certain store, consider opening an account, taking the discount, then paying off the balance as soon as possible.

Some stores give you the discount on top of the sales discount.

13. Collect 'points'.

Don't forget to collect your points. Paying on some credit cards can earn you generous points that you can use to buy other goods or even get cash back. Cards like the 'Advantage' card by Boots and the Nectar card give good benefits.

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14. Find local deals.

Visit the Good Deal Directory website and find bargains that are local to you. Enter you location and what you want to buy and the website dose the hard work for you. This site has a lot of good advise on bargain hunting and other lifestyle ideas.

15. Find your local fabric and furnishings discounters.

Places like the Curtain Factory outlet and the Curtain Fabric Warehouse (see below) sell fantastic ranges of haberdashery and cloth for knockdown prices. Find bargain fabrics by all the big names for around £7.00/ metre Osbourne & Little, Malabar, Sanderson. These outlets sell end of line, end of bolt and slightly second batches.

Have you got an article about buying or using second hand and antique accessories or home wares?

Why not send me your article and I'll post it on the website with your name and website link.

There are loads of good ideas on how to 'Use What You've Got' or buy and use second hand furniture and furnishings in The Property Coach 'Home Staging Handbook'.