JohnDuncan:idc:
JohnDuncan:Can anybody point me at research which offers proof that 'sales' are actually cheaper?
Only in relation to the RA sale. They send me loads of magazines and brochures and the prices in the sales are definitely lower than usual. This sale however, puts prices back to the same level as earlier in the year, before pretty much everything in their range went up in price.
So no peer review then?
It is true that most sales are not an accurate reflection of savings. Retailers have to have had a product at the higher price for 28 days in order to state a reduction. Many do this very cleverly otherwise places like Carpetright wouldn;t be able to operate ie half their stock at full price and half at 50% off and then swap around. In effect you are just being taken in by a marketing strategy and the carpets you are buying are only worth 50% anyway.
Places like Tesco get in on the act too, 50% off strawberries at £1.99. How many times have you seen them at £3.99? Quite! I bought some half price at Sainsburys the other day at £1.99 and the shop next door was selling them for £1.39 at full price.
I think the only retailer who can guarantee the sale discounts are Argos as everything is there in print.
Only solution is to do your research in the weeks leading up to a sale, and check comparative prices elsewhere.