The word bargain is what most women like me love to hear, especially if you love to dress up (daily OOTDs) and want to own branded designer items (Eg. bags, shoes, accessories) without breaking the bank. Now, have you ever wondered why some shoppers find amazing bargains when you seem to pay full price for nearly everything, all the time? Have you ever been curious as to how these shoppers normally find brand new items and good preloved pieces at half the price or even more? Well, I am exceptionally lucky in most cases. And basing it on my own experiences, I’ve also learned where to look for the best deals. So today, I will be sharing some of those tips with you.

I’ve been living in Dubai for almost 15 years. So I have seen fast fashion clothing collections and high-end designer items drop their prices (except for brands that never go on sale like Louis Vuitton). If you’d like to get a hold of some of these luxuries at a reasonable price, here are a few tips to consider:

1) Sale periods in department stores and/or malls:

If you’re not in a rush to get a hold of items that you want, you can always wait for the Dubai Shopping Festival, which happens every year and runs for a month (starts at the end of December and concludes around January or February). There are also clearance sales that fall during June and July.

You can get a great deal on almost everything (from clothes, cosmetics, household appliances, and even cars). So now that you know, it’s time to make that wish list and tick-off those boxes.

2) Shop in consignment stores:

The reality is, people often buy clothes and then never wear them. Well, there can be a solution to this, and that’s buying from second-hand stores, where you can find great bargains on new clothing as well. So be prepared to haggle because, in today’s economy, a certain amount of haggling can be expected. Don’t be reluctant to ask for a better price. For better results, try asking if there is any flexibility in the price, instead of demanding a discount.

3) Flea market shopping:

There are a lot of flea markets in the UAE, and the Dubai Flea Market has got to be one of the most popular ones. This type of marketplace typically offers anything from home items, clothes, books to children’s toys (amongst other things). You can also find some brand new stuff and even preloved, good condition designer items in this place.

But before you start haggling, you should know what you want and know how much you’re willing to spend on it. If an object is valuable, then don’t expect to get things for free. Sellers know their items, and it will be disrespectful to request for a price that’s close to nothing. But you can always use any imperfections on the item as a point of leverage to drive down the price. Just be sure to point out the damage when trying to secure your lowest value.

And to wrap things up, an item is not a bargain if you don’t need it. So always be wise, especially when spending your hard-earned money. Happy bargain shopping! x0 – Laarni