Hordes descend for post-Christmas sales bargains

The first thrill of the Boxing Day sales happens about 34 minutes after arriving at St Lukes, when you find a carpark.

Watching the traffic guiders standing in the pelting rain futilely waving their arms around while drivers pretended they were invisible provided some solace to drivers.

To add to the festivities, many were testing the hypothesis that beeping repeatedly would make dozens of parking spaces miraculously open up.

Inside the Westfield mall, the signs promised a "half-price sale," "20 per cent off," and the slightly hyperbolic "once in a lifetime sale".

People were a lot happier.

Among the hordes there were undoubtedly some doing a sneaky exchange of unwanted Christmas presents and others looking to buy up on gift vouchers.

Sisters Rochelle and Karen Cookson were looking with lust into a jewellery store window, prevented from entering because they had icecreams.

"We did get quite a bargain on a top, though, so we both bought one," Rochelle said.

"Karen lives in Sydney, so we're not likely to be seen together in them."

Clothing shops were packed and outside each was a small cluster of men, waiting with varying degrees of patience.

One was Shane Lingman and sons Travis and Caleb.

They were up from Te Awamutu for the sales. Mr Lingman wanted just a picture card for his camera "and that's done, so my business is over".

His wife, Lisa, had other ideas and had gone awol.

"I'm waiting and trying to get my wife out of here as quickly as possible.

"She's in one of these shops. She will eventually come out, because I've got the card."

Retailers' Association spokesman Barry Hellberg said Boxing Day sales were a strong tradition which had been a "feature of life for many years".

He said merchandising stores, such as The Warehouse and Farmers, had reported a steady trade, and some Auckland malls were inundated with shoppers.

Shopping tips

* Use gift vouchers before they expire.
* It is up to the retailer whether change in cash is given for a partly-spent voucher.
* Keep receipts, credit card slips and invoices in case you need a refund or to replace something.
* Retailers only have to refund or replace if the goods are faulty or come with a money-back guarantee. However, many do have an exchange policy for presents that didn't quite hit the spot.

* If you cancel a lay-by, expect to pay a charge but the retailer must be able to justify it.
* If shopping online, by phone or mail order, print out the details of the item on the day you order it or keep the catalogue.

- Consumers' Institute