Since Omicron everywhere in NZ at mo i am barely going shopping- just supermarket and essentials. So miss going to 2nd hand shops especially :((

Maria,have you thought about advertising in the school newsletter,you could inquire now for students in year 12 to try to get a blazer. That's if you can get the size your after. You might get lucky. I wouldn't leave it to the end of year though. Most people have siblings or friends to pass uniforms onto.

I usually wait for sales on everything. Occasionally you don't get a choice if something needs replacing straight away like heating, cooling, fridges etc but even then I check around to see if there's any specials.

Mainly buy at sales time but if wanting something different I will spend more for a special product

I only purchase when I need to replace an item, and if I see something I really want, I wait till sales, and if I miss out well it was never meant to be. Also if I take a New item home I have to give an item to someone else or place it in my home clothes pile. The price of clothing and footwear is ridiculous we are paying for brand names, and billions of clothing is placed in land fill every year. So is it a want or a need. We can only wear one set of clothing at a time

At the moment my income is so low, I don't go anywhere and don't really buy anything unless I really really need it. It kills me when sales are on, I often see something I'd like to have and it's a reallly good price, either I can't have it or I use afterpay (which I have to be very careful with). Yes it's like at Christmas when you get that big depression seeing the gifts you bought reduced in price by a lot.

love a bargain so wait for sales

Wait for sales

Sometimes I pay full price when I need something specific urgently otherwise I wait for sales especially online there is always a sale to be found.

Depends, but usually, definitely buy things on sale if possible. On groceries, I pretty much just wander the aisles and buy whatever is marked down that day - at my store, I just have to look for the big yellow clearance stickers and that's what I get to eat that week. Discovered some good stuff that way that I never would have bought at regular price! I do have to be careful though because obviously, this is the stuff that will expire soon, and I hate to throw stuff out because it went bad before I got around to finishing it. But since I'm always buying marked down stuff, that does happen, especially with things from the produce and deli section, like those bagged salads. I just have to stay on top of it and eat things in ORDER! But with clothes now, that's a whole different story! I buy pretty much whatever I want whenever I want whether I need it or not all the time! Because I ONLY shop for clothes at our thrift stores. We have a lot of Goodwills and Salvation Army Clothing stores, secondhand only of course, but I love them! And anything I get there is literally just a couple dollars, sometimes less, definitely no more than $5, that would be a high priced item for me there! Well, except for coats, some of them I've paid up to $15 for, but they're really good ones. Things are often like new, some real leather jackets, etc. I love clothes, so this is the only way I get to indulge my clothes fetish, is by only buying at thrift stores. The rare times that I've been in a mall or even in a Target store and saw the new clothes prices, it has just floored me. How anyone can ever pay these new prices is beyond me. I used to, up til I was in my mid 20s, but I'm 53 now and haven't bought from new stores in years and years. My mom was snobby about thrift shops for a long time and never shopped there, til I convinced her once to come in with me, and she was thrilled with what she found and how cheap it all was, so I converted her too. Honestly, I prefer the clothes there over brand new stuff nowadays. Plus I'm an easy size thankfully, so I don't have trouble finding things in my size, which can be an issue for some who can't always find used things in their size.

Only exception for me is kids clothing,unfortunately they grow,way too quickly. My 15year old son went from size 14 to medium size men's in less than a year. And although I do buy ahead in larger sizes ,you can't buy too much.And school uniforms never go on sale,always expensive and a must have.

We are definitely getting ripped off here in NZ because most of the stuff comes from China in our shops excluding designer wear of course.Do your research people because there is a lot of price gouging going on.

Wait for sales.

i only buy the items when they are on sale as we all know the is a mark up on everything we buy also in some shops i was fortunate to know that some item are bought for as litlle as .50 cents and the mark up is up to 30.00 and that is just a sample Edited 22-Mar-22 17:46pm

I completely agree. Once I knew a lady that worked at a shoe store back in the '70s. She told me that the store paid only a few dollars for a pair of shoes. I can't believe how much people are willing to pay for clothes and shoes. It's crazy!

Agree with you Maria F. But these days I will only buy if I really must have it i.e. my bra is now broken and I need a new one.

Sales come around so often you would be mad to pay the ticket price

If they are quality products and are on sale...then that's when you really gain. Too much is being produced that ends up on the rubbish tip. Less buys and better quality is how it used to be.

I was working in a Hugh shopping centre. Majority of stores put prices up a week or two before eofys and other major sale times so when they marked down the stock for sale you were still paying full price or more. Not all stores,just got to take notice of the shops that you like and their prices. I try to only buy from retailers that offer genuine markdowns or ones I can bargain with. Floor stock sales are great,just got to be sure what your buying isn't damaged,just shop soiled.

Totally agree Maria

Totally agree,my mum used to have a women's clothing shop and a toy/wool/haberdashery shop back in the day. She used to tell us Mark up for retail was usually 200% of what manufacturers made it for depending on the item. She also allowed us to buy items from her with our pocket money at cost.Gotta love mum's.

Yes I agree and I always wait for the sales as everything is so overpriced these days and it is not fair

Yes I agree whole heartedly.

It depends on the price and if I don't need it immediately, if I don't I will wait for it to come on sale, and hope it's on sale when I do need it, sometimes I do need the item immediately so have to get it whether it's on sale or not.

I buy on sale if I don’t need it……..lol

I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT SOME OF THE MAJOR RETAIL STORES HAVE STOCK THAT IS YEARS OLD IN STORAGE AND WHEN SALE TIME COMES AROUND THEY OFFER BIG DISCOUNTS BUT WHAT PEOPLE DO NOT REALIZE SOME OF THE ITEMS CAN BE OUT DATED. IF YOU WAIT FOR THE SALES NORMALLY YOU MAY BE LUCKY TO PURCHASE YOUR SPECIAL ITEM ON SALE BUT IS IT YOUR COLOR OR SIZE?

I tend to buy things when I need them. Sometimes sales are just a gimmick for retailers and you can actually get a better deal on a regular day of shopping.

I work on the theory nothing is cheap if you don't need it so while I love a bargain I don't frenzy shop at sales ever n only replace my items when needed .

i dont buy new clothing for that very reason, and item costs $20 and sells for $360,, I frequent the reccyled shops where you can find designer and great clothes for less that you pay in everyday clothing shops..... ALSO i dont buy clothes that often.... I have been fortunate - I have always bought classical clothes so I can still wear them today and they fit, and they are better quality all pure wool, cotton, linen etc... I am also fortunate that I am still the same size as 50 years ago.

I like to wait for sales.

Usually buy straight away, the sales , to me, are not correct

Clothing is quite expensive, we shop at Lowes or Big W or Target occasionally and well I reckon I have enough clothes to last awhile so tend not to need too much of that sort of thing. Actually I should go through my clothes and any thing I haven't worn for awhile I should donate it, one of these days. I always buy new clothes but my sister buys second hand stuff a lot. She gets woollen coats for like $10-$15 but if you look they are dry clean only and they are expensive to buy new. So rich women wear them for x amount of time and then donate them because dry cleaning them is too expensive or they can't be bothered. I do have hand-me-downs from my Mum that I wear and I also have one of my Dad's woollen knitted jumper as it gets cold here in winter. Which I will cherish.

I aim for sales too

Usually wait for it to go on sale, unless you're in TKMaxx where you might not find that item again.

I usually waited for discounts

I never pay full retail for clothing. I shop at stores like TJ Maxx and Marshall's, and I get a real thrill when I get a great deal like my Adidas leather jacket that retailed for $600 that I got for $100! My daughters were so jealous because they saw it first but it was too big for either of them!

As I can spot a reduced or clearance sticker on a product from 20 paces I am extremely unlikely to purchase ANYTHING full price unless it is rare or unusual and I believe that a family member would appreciate it as a gift for a birthday or Christmas. I don't plan my weekly menu until AFTER I've been shopping as I will create a meal around whatever happened to be on clearance because it's near its due date or the store has a good deal on that day. I trained my daughter's to shop the same way and even my grandson when he was small would go ahead and see what he could find with a sticker on it. Same applies with clothing and I find that if I do buy something online it will be on one of the marketplace sites such as Catch or Oz Sale although there are many more around. I just purchased my grandson some very warm winter clothing made into thermals from merino wool and a lovely warm windbreaker. I paid about 35 percent of the cost had I bought those same items instore. They are a gift for his 17th birthday, but he and his mum live somewhere that gets very cold in winter and I know he'll wear them. I'm known in my family for buying a great deal but I research carefully and ensure that I have the money to cover it AND that it is worth it to purchase. It might be put away until someone in the family needs it but I will often give something away to someone outside of the family who needs it and it feels good to do so. I'm going to have to make another trip to the Op Shops soon as so many of my clothes are looking ragged and are just about ready for use as rags but it's exciting because you just don't know WHAT you will find. It's all about value and actually having a NEED for something now or that you will down the track. If I could advise anyone of anything it's to buy your large ticket items now such as refrigerators and washing machines. There's going to continue to be supply chain problems for the foreseeable future and these items are going to become very rare and expensive. If you have the capacity to add to your food stores at home I would do so immediately and if you own petrol containers at home fill them up. I spend a lot of time listening to financial podcasts and interviews and the inflationary pressures are going to be exacerbated and prolonged and the future of our economy and the money supply is going to change over the next 18 months. I have done so not for myself but because I know that others are not always planners nor have the foresight or financial capacity to do so. Dark days are coming to our once lucky country and being prepared beforehand is the only way to ensure our provision BEFORE such time arises. Thanks for reading this and have a good day!

I wait if I can. I love finding deals and promotions.

Agree Maria F. Total rip off. If they can sell a product at certain times ( sales after new year) it is obvious that they jack up the price.

I buy what i needed not i don't needed.

I buy it if I am fully happy about it & not wait for it to be bargained

I tend to buy stuff when i need it...

I agree. Only at sales and not very much. Since Covid there have been some good bargains near us. Heartbreak for some no doubt.

Since sales come every other week now it makes more sense to wait for the sales. I try to keep the freezer full and only use veg that is in season. I purchase non perishables when they are on sale that helps the budget.

I only buy junk food/snacks when they are 50% off (or cheaper), try to buy/stock up on shelf-stable groceries when they're on sale too. As for clothes, I'm happy to buy from Op Shops or when buying retail, i trawl through the clearance racks or buy at factory outlets. I try to buy things on sale or get a discount where possible and am happy to hold off for a sale if it's not something i need straight away.

I wait for sales and stock up on food when its half price

I buy clothes rarely, mainly because I pick things that aren't current fashion but are well made and with careful washing they last for years,

I prefer to shop when the sales are on for sure. I don't pay full price if I can wait it out. Clothes and items especially. Food I stock up when the sales are on but some things I have to get full price.

depends on how soon I need it. Sometimes right away sometimes wait on sales.

I buy budget items or wait till it's on sale.

I buy as I need but I do buy a lot from op shops. If I can grab something on special I will but only if I need it and can use it

I totally agree & I shop around and research what I am buying first. Look at customer reviews to make sure you are getting good quality too.

Shopping is difficult! When I need something special for a night out I can't find it and when there is a sale on I find something I DON'T NEED.

I Buy as I need too ????

I'm all for sales I wait you can pick up so really good bargains and still get good quality Edited 22-Mar-22 21:37pm

I won't buy it because it's on sale. If I don't need it I don't get it.

Not all of it is low grade.

Sales are so that retailers can get rid of the low grade rubbish that is left over that no one wanted previously.

I always buy items on sales when I am planning to shop at my favorite stores. To me having items on sales is not a ripped off from the full price in which having items on sale help me to save more money.Edited 22-Mar-22 05:59am

Wait for the best price but buy now if want it now.

This topic has been raised before. Why bring up the same topic? If I like something then whether its on sale or not... I buy it regardless. They usually have the big sales to clear stock...to make way for new stock. Its always nice if certain groceries are on sale. Sometimes they go quickly tho as other shoppers are doing the same.Edited 22-Mar-22 05:10am

We are being ripped off every which way, The retailer say they reduce prices 20% or 50%, but in facts that is a cost price So the margin they get is more than cost price, so, therefore,the Sale that is, is no sale at all, its only worth the paper the percentage is written on it

I too buy on sale mostly. Nowhere to hurry to.

I generally wait for items to be on sale.

I love a good sale. It is such good fun. Unfortunately once I was yelled at by a work colleague because I like a bargain.

I'm a tight-@r$#, so I always look out for sales. I agree that 50% off (& higher) sales give away how much of a mark up there is on retail items. I stock up on washing powder & hair colour when they're 50% off - which happens regularly. For larger purchases, I shop around & wait for sales.

Always looking for clearance items in store. Next up, waiting for Easter eggs to go on sale.

Depends on what I am buying. If it is food - I am not waiting for a sale! Household items (detergent, soap, etc.) - I buy from a discount store (at a major discount). Clothing from a second-hand store (as long as the clothing has never been worn and still have tags on them). However, I make most of my purchases directly from the manufacturer (the cheapest way to go)!

Well, that would be the whole point of the designers getting rich because some people do pay full price and do not even blink as they are doing it. I personally shop second hand in clothing because it's much cheaper to buy a Victoria's Secret T-shirt with a pair of Seven For All ManKind Jeans for less than 30$ when you could have paid full price for both and spent well over 100$. I couldn't even do it if I was rich! People make far too much money for making something I would be arrested for if I didn't wear and they get richer and it seems I just get more poor. I guess I need to start making clothing. Or anything right now because the cost of living has went up and I am afraid living won't be enough if this keeps on. As far as shopping for most things, I don't mind buying things until they get so deeply discounted that it has 30 stickers from where it hadn't got sold. I think that no matter if I was rich or not, I would still try and save as much as I could. I would donate extra to the hungry or toys for tots or wherever needed it.

I wait for sales unless absolutely needed and then will still try to buy cheapest/clearance.

If I need it I buy straight away or the stores may not have it when I go back by, I do like a good sale.

I am into sales. If it is not cheap I will make do with what I have

I am not a shopper and never have been. Cannot think of anything more painful - in my view. If I see something I like I might buy it if it is cheap or on sale. I don't actually go out to do clothes shopping on purpose.

I wait for a sale, coupon, rebate etc. Being on fixed income reduces my ability to purchase but does help me focus on what I really need and not what I want at that moment.

Usually pay full price. I am never in the right place at the right time for sales.