Boxing Day shopping tips: How to spot a deal from a dud
Avoid fake sales this Boxing Day and only purchase genuine deals by following these expert tips.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) recently conducted a sweep of Black Friday sales advertising and the results are pretty concerning.
It found multiple examples of discounts that were either exaggerated or blatantly false.
Red flags noted by the ACCC included "site-wide" sales that were not in fact site wide, potentially misleading was/now pricing and dubious claims about the size of a discount.
None of this is news to Finder Shopping.
Our national shopping survey conducted in November found that 52% of Aussie shoppers have noticed suspicious price hikes on retail products just before a sales period.
Needless to say, this creates a false sense of urgency about a so-called "deal" and may constitute false or misleading advertising.
With this year's Boxing Day sales fast approaching, it's crucial to know how to spot a genuine deal from a dud.
Here are some tips to help you navigate Boxing Day without getting ripped off.
Do your research and be prepared
Make a list of the items you want to buy and research how much they typically sell for in-store. (Do this at least a few days before Boxing Day.)
The purpose of this list is twofold. Firstly, it equips you with regular street prices so you're not relying on dubious sale RRPs. Secondly, it will cut down on impulse buying by keeping you focused on products you actually need.
(On a related note, be sure to set a Boxing Day sale budget and stick to it!)
Compare across multiple retailers
Don't settle for the first deal you see. Compare prices across different retailers to ensure you're getting the best possible price. Sites like eBay and Amazon can make this process easier by showing multiple sellers in one place. (More on which below.)
Check historical prices
Before you get excited about a discount, use price tracking tools like CamelCamelCamel, GetPrice and Price Hipster to see if the item has been sold at the same price or lower in the past.
This will instantly reveal if the deal is a genuine bargain or just clever marketing.
In the example below, we fed an Apple AirPods 4 deal from Amazon into CamelCamelCamel to see how the discount stacked up.
As you can see, the current price is around $8 cheaper than average, but there have been even bigger discounts in the recent past.
By using tools like the one above, you can quickly determine if a deal is worth your while.
Read the fine print
Pay close attention to the terms and conditions of the sale. Look for any exclusions or limitations that might apply to the discount. Sometimes, the fine print can reveal that sale items cannot be exchanged or refunded. (So make sure it isn't cheaper somewhere else before you buy.)
Be wary of flash sales
While online flash sales can offer great deals, they are often used as a way to drum up excitement and publicity with extremely limited stock.
As a general rule of thumb, your chances of landing a lightning/flash deal is directly proportional to the size of the discount - the bigger the saving, the more likely you are to miss out. To avoid disappointment, stick to regular sales instead.
Check reviews and ratings
Most reputable online stores provide a reviews and ratings section. This can give you insight into the quality of the product and the reliability of the retailer. You can also check third-party websites such as ProductReview.com.au for an unvarnished opinion.
Avoid dodgy websites
You should only shop from reputable e-commerce sites you've actually heard of. An unknown retailer is likely to have poor customer service and could even be a scam looking to rob you.
Never click on unsolicited links sent via text or email. If the deals on an unfamiliar store seem too good to be true, proceed with extreme caution.
Use curated deals
You can save a bunch of time by using trusted sites that collect the best deals from thousands of different retailers, handily sorted into brands and product categories.
OzBargain and Finder Shopping (that's us) both have sections dedicated to Boxing Day sales with handpicked deals, updated daily.
You can check out Finder Shopping's full list of Boxing Day deals below.
Finder Shopping consumer survey: What Australians Have Noticed
We recently surveyed 1,095 Australians about the before and after pricing during big sales periods.
Here are some of the key findings:
- More than half (52%) have noticed a product go up in price ahead of a sale period.
- 1 in 10 (11%) bought the product anyway, equating to approximately 2.3 million shoppers who were knowingly misled but went ahead with the purchase regardless.
- 2 in 5 (41%) decided against buying the product.
Our survey also discovered that more Aussies think they get better bang for their buck online than by shopping in person.
Here's the full breakdown.
Have you noticed a product go up in price ahead of a sale period?
| Yes, and I didn't buy the product | 41% |
| Yes, but I bought the product anyway | 11% |
| No | 34% |
| I don't know | 14% |
| Source: Finder survey of 1,095 respondents, August 2024 |  |
Do you think you get better deals in-person or online during big sales events like Black Friday?
| Online | 37% |
| In-person | 27% |
| I don't know | 36% |
| Source: Finder survey of 1,008 respondents, October 2024 | |
Which sale event do you think offers better deals?
| Black Friday | 30% |
| Boxing Day | 26% |
| I don't know | 44% |
| Source: Finder survey of 1,008 respondents, October 2024 | |
Boxing Day sales
You can check out a range of Boxing Day deals in the grid below, vetted and handpicked by our shopping crew. Use the filters to refine your search.
Myer
Myer
Up to 40% off fashion & homewares at Myer
Save up to 40% on selected homewares and fashion pieces for men, women and children at Myer. While stocks last. T&Cs apply.
lululemon
lululemon
Up to 45% off women's activewear at lululemon
Ends
Shop the We Made Too Much sale for epic deals on leggings, sports bras, and more at Lululemon. T&Cs apply.
LEGO
LEGO
40% off LEGO sale
Save 30% on selected toy sets on sale at LEGO. While stocks last. T&Cs apply.
Myer
Myer
Up to 69% homewares, fashion, beauty and more
Score huge discount on women's, men's & kids' clothing, homewares, toys, beauty brands, tech and more at Myer. Hurry, limited time only. T&Cs apply.
Robins Kitchen
Robins Kitchen
Up to 70% off RRP + extra 20% off sitewide
Get up to 70% off and an extra 20% off everything at Robins Kitchen. Shop cookware, knives, cutlery, tableware, bakeware, and more. Enjoy huge savings for a limited time only. While supplies last. T&Cs, exclusions apply.
Decathlon
Decathlon
Up to 50% off Clearance Sale
Ge up to 50% off over thousands of products in this Clearance Sale. Limited time offer. T&Cs apply,
Global Shop Direct
Global Shop Direct
5% off product price
Get 5% off product price at Global Shop Direct while stocks last. This offer is valid for a limited time only. T&Cs apply.
Origin Mattress Australia
Origin Mattress Australia
Up to 53% off Origin Mattresses + FREE delivery
Enjoy huge discount on Origin mattresses, bed bases, pillows, and bed bundles. Hurry, valid for a limited time only. T&Cs apply.
Temu
Temu
Up to 32% off electronics
Save up to 32% on select speakers, headphones, keyboards, dashcams, smartwatches and other electronics at Temu. While stocks last. T&Cs apply.
Oroton
Oroton
Further 20% off selected items
Ends
Take a further 20% off selected items. T&Cs apply.
Wild Secrets Lingerie
Wild Secrets Lingerie
Up to 70% off lingerie
Shop sexy lingerie on sale at Wild Secrets and enjoy up to 70% off. While stocks last. T&Cs apply.
Oakley
Oakley
FREE shipping on orders $99 or more
Receive FREE shipping within Australia for online orders over $99 at Oakley. T&Cs apply.
CHARLES & KEITH
CHARLES & KEITH
Up to 30% off sale
Save up to 30% on shoes, bags, accessories, wallets and more from CHARLES & KEITH's sale section. T&Cs apply.
Sources
Want even more savings? Head over to Sales Finder or check out today's top daily deals.