Yahoo Finance 7 last-minute Christmas shopping mistakes to avoid
With businesses and employees scrambling to get things sorted before the end-of-year shutdown, Christmas shopping can get pushed down the to-do list and eventually forgotten.
Blink and the gift you had your eye on has sold out, you’ve missed the shopping centre extended hours, or the delivery date has cut off.
Here’s what you need to do to get your gifts sent on time, according to CouriersPlease.
1. Find out what the Christmas delivery cut-off dates are
If you want your prezzies to be delivered by Christmas, make the most of postage calculator tools. You’ll also have to familiarise yourself with the delivery cut-off dates in your city or region, which will vary depending on where you live.
Australia Post chief operating officer Bob Black told news.com.au that parcels sent through standard delivery would need to be posted by Monday 17 December to make the Christmas deadline, that Express Post would remain available until the absolute latest of Friday 21 December.
2. Don’t underestimate delivery times
In the lead-up to Christmas, you can’t expect your favourite retailer to deliver in the same time frame they normally do.
Parcels sent through Australia Post within capital cities or within the same locality will take 2 business days – but interstate deliveries can take up to 5-6 business days.
International deliveries will take longer than domestic ones, so ensure you purchase gifts as early as possible to allow room for delays.
3. Explore alternative delivery methods
If you’ve missed the delivery cut-off date, your parcel company might offer alternative options such as click and collect (some retailers that offer this include David Jones, Myer, Kmart, JB Hi-Fi and Rebel).
You might also have the option of rescheduling your delivery, address redirecting, or even allowing you to give a neighbour the authority to accept a delivery in your behalf.
4. Do stock checks via phone or online
If you eschew online shopping in favour of shopping in-store and you’ve got a gift in mind, plan ahead first to avoid missing out.
Check online or call up the store to see if they have it in stock – it’ll save you a fruitless trip to the shops as well.
5. Don’t wait for sales
The upcoming Christmas period doesn’t necessarily guarantee sales, so don’t bank on a last-minute bargain.
Make sure you have a back-up plan in case the retailer doesn’t go on sale like you hoped.
6. Look up your local shopping centre’s extended trading hours
Shopping centres will stay open later on some days in anticipation of the Christmas rush, so check online to see what days you can duck in to sort your Christmas shopping.
For example, Sydney’s Pitt St Mall will open until midnight on Thursday 20th December.
7. Don’t sit on gift ideas
Have you already got the perfect Christmas gift in mind but you just haven’t bought it yet?
With so many others buying gifts this time of year, that perfect gift might get snatched up by someone else if you wait too long – so snap it up sooner rather than later.
Make your money work with Yahoo Finance’s daily newsletter. Sign up here and stay on top of the latest money, news and tech news.
Read next: What your partner DOESN’T want for Christmas
