Aussies set to spend big to bag Boxing Day bargains
With huge sales kicking off on Boxing Day, shoppers are being warned to keep a close eye on prices to make sure they’re getting real bargains rather than misleading offers.
Total spending this year is expected to exceed $3.1 billion.
According to comparison site Finder, one in three Australians – more than seven million people – plan to shop in these sales in 2025.
Before shoppers head for a bargain, there are some things people should do to ensure they get the best deals.
Finder money expert Rebecca Pike said tracking prices in advance makes it easier to spot real discounts.
“Signing up for retailer email lists can also pay off with early access and subscriber-only offers often posted before public sales go live,” he said.
Tracking allows customers to identify when a retailer marks items before sale or compares discounts to suggested prices rather than actual ones.
Shoppers should always compare final prices across different stores to ensure they are getting the best value.
Pairing discounts with cashback offers, loyalty points, coupon codes or credit card rewards can also work to get more bang for your buck, Finder said.
Customers should also read retailer policies before purchasing; Most next-day purchases come with stricter terms, including shorter refund periods or no-refund warnings.
Ms Pike urged shoppers to avoid falling into the trap of buying things they don’t need just because they look like a good deal.
“Stick to a list and have a tight budget,” he said.
But as shoppers rush to get the best deals, they also need to be prepared for an influx of scams as bad actors seek a post-Christmas payday.
Australians lost nearly $40 million to trading fraud last year, according to research from the Australian Banking Association; Almost two-thirds have experienced shopping fraud.
Fake order confirmations, where people receive notifications about an order they never placed and are asked to click on a link, are the most common type of shopping scams.
Social media shopping scams where sellers disappear after paying are also common.
Banking union boss Simon Birmingham said fraudsters were improving their tactics with artificial intelligence to impersonate legitimate businesses in a bid to get more victims.
“Double check that you are purchasing from a legitimate website and beware of text messages about missed deliveries as this is a common way for scammers to hand you personal or financial information,” he said.
