Bargain-loving mums ‘camp outside’ B&M to be first in, as store launches epic 3 for £20 toy sale ahead of Christmas
SHOPPING for the latest kids' toys is one of the most expensive parts of Christmas – and many parents dread it.
Now that Black Friday has been and gone, decent deals on toys might seem harder to come by, but all hope is not lost.
B&M has launched its epic 3 for £20 toy sale today for a limited time only, and it's the talk of social media among bargain-hunting parents.
"Anyone camping outside of B&M tmoz," one person posted yesterday ahead of the sale, with a string of laughter emojis.
They may have been joking, but it was nearly a reality for one woman, who shared a live update at 7:01am this morning, along with a picture of her trolley outside the store.
"B&M toy sale !!!!!!! It starts today. I'm freezing but I'm first in," she posted on Facebook.
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Another successful shopper shared, "Just been, nice and quiet. Shopping done and home."
"First in my store this morning and got some great bargains," said someone else.
Hundreds of people tagged friends and family to alert them to the deal, which comes just in time for any last-minute Christmas shopping.
"This is a well good deal if you needed to get any more bits for the kids," one noted.
While others quipped about steering clear of the store, to avoid the sales mayhem.
"This is now classed as a danger shop," one person joked to their friend.
Or for kids who love dolls and soft toys, you could get the , and for just £20, instead of the usual £38.97.
The 3 for £20 deal beats the retail chain's previous 2 for £20 offer, which some people said they'd already shopped.
"I've legit just done some Christmas shopping at the weekend, asked if they were going to do the 3 for £20 and they said no, as I would have waited, then done it," wrote one disappointed shopper.
Another tagged a friend, saying, "Look at this, when I was there yesterday it was 2 for £20".
Other shoppers were critical of the quality of some of B&M's toys.
"Trouble is, their toys are rubbish and poor quality. Last year I purchased 16 items for Christmas presents and every single item was poor quality or faulty," said one.
But others were quick to defend the offer, with one saying, "Not everything is poor quality" and another advising, "You just have to buy the branded ones, instead of the ‘own’ brand.
"They do proper Barbies, various character toys etc, and at 3 for £20 they’re usually a good saving.
"The odd unbranded things are ok too, often the baby toys are ok," they added.
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Elsewhere, someone shared a tip for getting the best deal on toys – and it involves having the B&M app open, while you shop.
"Before you pay, people.. check prices via the app, as last year I noticed some toys were worth buying separately, as they were down in price."
What to watch out for when buying toys online
HERE are the British Toy and Hobby Association's top tips for buying toys online:
- Shop early. Don't leave purchases to the last minute rush which might leave you fewer options of where to buy from.
- Check out third-party sellers. Look for sellers you recognise and trust. Be cautious of retailers you don't know and do your research checking reviews and where they're based.
- Go for branded toys. Try and choose a branded toy as then you can compare it to the manufacturer's own website to check it's legit.
- Be careful of going for the cheapest price. If something looks too good to be true, it probably is.
- Check if there are any age restrictions. Make sure you give suitable toys to children based on their age.
- Check reviews carefully. Some reviews are fake so look carefully at the comments.
- Stay with children at first. When your child opens a toy for the first time, stay with them and check for faults, detachable small parts, access to stuffing and loose or accessible batteries or magnets.