PROFESSIONAL bargain hunter Holly Smith believes she’s saved hundreds of pounds using scanners in Asda, B&M and Tesco to snap up unmarked discounts – and she tells HOAR how you can do the same.
The mum-of-three, 35, from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, uses in-store scanners and smartphone apps to check if prices have been slashed before shop staff have had the chance to update shelf tickets.
Asda is best for toys, according to Holly, while she recommends Tesco for outdoor toys, tents, and seasonal products, and B&M for a whole host of items.
“I’ve been using these scanners and apps for the last five years and they’ve not yet failed me yet,” Holly told HOAR.
“It’s good to scan everything to see what you can get for less. People may be struggling right now due to the coronavirus pandemic so this could be a way to save.”
Examples of toys Holly’s bought include a My Little Pony set from Tesco marked as £10, which scanned at £1.75, and a LOL Surprise game at B&M that was supposed to cost £10 but scanned at £1 (pictured below).
Meanwhile, members of her Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK group and followers of her Holly Vlogs social media accounts recently picked up an Elsa doll from Frozen in Asda reduced from £25 to £1.90.
Holly adds that one reader told her they scooped a mammoth £1,000 worth of goods for just £50, and Holly herself says she’s seen prices discounted to as little as 2p.
The mum uses the discounts to stock up on birthday and Christmas presents for her children Molly, nine, Bella, seven, and Cloud, nine months – and says the girls like joining in with the fun in stores too.
Holly says she also gives away finds to children’s hospitals, although do check if hospitals are accepting donations during the coronavirus crisis if you’re thinking of doing the same.
How do the scanners and apps work?
At Asda, shoppers can either use a scanning device in supermarkets to tot-up their spending as they go along or they can download the free mobile app and use a smartphone to scan items they want to purchase in store.
Items you don’t want or that don’t come through discounted can simply be deleted before you come to pay.