Top tips for online shopping this festive season — plus win £100,000 with Sun Savers
All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue.
ARE you getting ready for Click-mas?
One in three of us have already started buying gifts online for the festive period, according to a new poll. Toys and electronics are the most-bought gifts.
We all like to think of ourselves as savvy shoppers — but how can you make sure you won’t miss out on great late deals before the big day?
Giora Mandel of online shopping site boom25.com says: “Although it is only October, the festive frenzy is already upon us and many people are turning their attention to their Christmas shopping lists.
“If you want to find the best gifts at the lowest prices but don’t want to deal with high-street crowds, some simple advice will ensure you get the best deals online.
“Then you can put your feet up and know the whole family will be happy on Christmas morning.”
Here are Giora’s top online Xmas shopping hacks.
1 Clear your cookies: This is crucial if you regularly shop online. Cookies store details of your web browsing and tell online stores what you have been looking at.
If you visit a site frequently, some stores will hike their prices.
To clear your cookies, go to your browser preferences or settings and click on “clear history and website data”. This way, brands can’t see what you have been browsing — so they won’t charge you more.
2 Negotiate prices via the online chat box: Retailers often offer a live chat service so customers can get immediate answers.
Use this function to ask for a discount and a free shipping code. It is much less awkward than doing it in person.
3 Leave items in your shopping cart: Pop items you want to buy in your trolley then come off the site. Many stores will email you a reminder and often offer discounts of around ten per cent to try to tempt you to buy.
4 Shop on the right day: The most popular time to online shop is Sunday evening. But most retailers launch discounts and special deals during the week. Prices can be cheaper at the start of the week and tend to creep up over the weekend.
5 Sign up to mailing lists: Get ready for your shopping spree by signing up to all of your favourite online shops. You can then keep up to date on deals before the general public see them.
Some brands will even offer you a discount simply for signing up to their mailing list.
6 Take advantage of social media: Follow your favourite brands on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to get exclusive sale offers and promotional codes.
Follow your favourite vloggers and bloggers too, as they often announce sales first.
Fancy a free fiver?
YOU can get FREE cash with super Sun Savers just for buying your favourite paper.
Our brilliant new rewards club, which launched this week, will pay back our most loyal readers.
Just pick up the paper each day to collect your Sun Savers codes and we will GIVE YOU £5 when you have collected 28.
This isn’t a one-off and there is no limit to how much cash you can save.
For every 28 codes you enter, we will give you a fiver. So over the course of a year, that could add up to £65.
We are keeping it super-simple. You don’t have to enter codes from consecutive days, so don’t worry if you forget a day or two.
Simply collect 28 codes and we'll give you £5 for FREE
In fact, it is completely up to you how much you save.
Download our easy Sun Savers app and quickly scan your code using your smartphone. Or go online and enter your code at .
What is Sun Savers? Here's everything you need to know about our new rewards club
To get you on your way, join today and we will put a bonus £1 in your Sun Savers wallet tomorrow. And the good news doesn’t stop with free cash.
With Sun Savers, we give you the best hacks, deals and tips to save money every single day.
TO JOIN: Don’t worry, folks — joining takes just 30 seconds, in three steps.
All we’ll ask of you is your name, your date of birth and an email address to get you on the way to your first crisp fiver.
You can choose to save or cash out straight to your bank account or instantly with Paypal.
Don’t delay — join Sun Savers now!
Plus, keep an eye out for extra benefits – such as exclusive first access to our .
We bust the myths about Sun Savers
- It’s not real cash. It will just be vouchers or points. WRONG – it IS real cash.
- You have to enter the codes on consecutive days. WRONG – each code is valid for FIVE weeks, enter them whenever you want.
- It’s a one-off promotion. WRONG – Sun Savers is for ever.
- It’s just a joining offer. WRONG – you’ll get a fiver for EVERY 28 codes you enter.
- It’s not for me as I only buy the paper a couple of times a week. WRONG – it doesn’t matter how long it takes you to get 28 codes, you’ll still get the fiver.
- There will be lots of hoops to jump through, lots of catches. WRONG – register with just your name, email and DOB, start entering your codes and you’re good to go.
- It will take ages to receive the fiver. WRONG – just link your bank account and the money will be in your account within three to five working days. Or do it via PayPal and get it instantly.
Name your price
SAVE BIG: Name your low price. Personalised Sterling Silver Name Necklace, was £79 now £44 at .
SAVE: £35
SAVE SMALL: Keep a tight hold of your purse strings with this designer-style buy. Cream Double Pouch Purse, was £9.99 now £4 at .
SAVE: £4.99
Saver spots
SAVER SPOT 1: This deal is looking good. Grab a free beauty advent calendar worth £15 at Superdrug via TopCashback. See .
SAVER SPOT 2: Winter is coming – and householders are being urged to check their energy direct debits are high enough.
New research from found one in ten Brits already owe £121 to their energy provider before bills start to rise in the cold weather.
- PRICES are correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers are subject to availability.
Pass renewal tip is just the ticket
JUNE LOMAX from Huddersfield says: “If your train or bus pass has run out, don’t pay to renew it until you are ready for your next big journey. Otherwise, you will waste money on weeks or months when you’re not travelling.”
Send your tips to [email protected] and you will get 28 codes – worth £5 – if your tip is used. Please include your name and where you live.
Win £100K
ONE lucky reader will win an incredible £100,000 CASH with Sun Savers.
Pay off the mortgage or go on a spending spree – it’s up to you.
Download the Sun Savers app or register at .
Already a member? Update your app in the app store and scan TEN Sun Savers codes by Tuesday, October 10. After entering ten codes, you will be prompted to enter the competition.
It closes on Monday, October 23, when a winner will be chosen at random.
Over-18 UK residents only. One entry per person. Winner will be picked at random from all valid entries. Your information will be used only for purposes of this competition. The Editor’s decision is final. Full terms and conditions at .
