Yahoo Finance Shoppers split over Big W’s TOY MANIA sale catalogue
It was the catalogue that had millions of Australians on the edges of their seats: Big W’s annual TOY MANIA sale.
But after its release on Tuesday, some shoppers were less than impressed, complaining that the discounts and toys were both poor.
“Anyone else thing the toy sale catalog was a bunch of crap,” one disappointed shopper posted on Facebook group Big W Mums Australia.
“Hardly any good things on sale and lot of stuff is only only saving a few dollars.”
Her complaint was quickly echoed by others, some complaining about “all the plastic” and explaining they wanted more wooden toys, others complaining that the stock was from last year and others still saying the savings were lackluster.
“I was deeply disappointed but any savings are better than none,” one shopper noted.
However one shopper had a different approach: “Last year I went nuts on the kids but most of it didn’t get played with or got broken. Not bothering this year, we’re taking a family holiday to Malaysia instead.”
But not all shoppers were as cutting, with many expressing surprise that others were complaining about a discount to begin with.
“Omg it’s another “the toy sale is so bad” post! We could make a drinking game out of it but people would die,” one exasperated shopper replied.
“I thought it was a great catalogue for what I’m after, everything I’ve had my eye on except for one thing is in there,” another, more satisfied shopper expressed.
Other shoppers explained that the appeal of the sale wasn’t necessarily the prices or the stock, but the ability to layby items for Christmas.
“I’ve never found the sale to be good for saving money, it’s just good for extended layby and the things they bring out specifically for it,” a member of the group explained.
“I'm going doing if for the layby terms only cause I'm due to have another baby Christmas day so it make my life easier,” another agreed.
More than one million people watched Big W’s catalogue reveal video last week, eagerly awaiting news on the catalogue that would ultimately land in inboxes on Tuesday.
Last year’s sale saw stores flooded with shoppers when the clock hit midnight, as bargain hunters hit their stride.
“Savvy Aussie families know they can get their favourite brands at incredible prices at Toy Mania this year and every year,” said Teresa Rendo, general manager, commercial for BIG W at the time.
“It’s also a fantastic opportunity for families to start planning and budgeting for Christmas with our buy now or extended lay-by offer.”
This year, however, Big W will face added competition from Aldi, which launched its wooden toys special buy range on Wednesday (12 June), and Toys ‘R’ Us reopening its online store, also on Wednesday.
Big W has a difficult future on the cards, with 30 stores confirmed to close within the next three years as owner Woolworths Group decided some stores were taking too long to turn a profit.
Big W’s TOY MANIA sale will run from 20 June to 10 July.
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