'Maybe for Christmas': Big W’s toy sale has arrived and parents are already negotiating

Parents have flocked into stores to nab bargains - with Bluey, Barbie, LEGO and more all marked down.

Leah Goulis

4 min read

June 15, 2023 - 11:51AM

The Big W Toy sale has launched in store and parents are filling those trolleys! Image: Kidspot

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They came, they conquered, and they begged their children to "please just put it back on the shelf!"

Yes, we're talking about BIG W’s annual Big Whopping Toy Sale - the event that has parents, grandparents, and carers flocking into store (and online) to grab toys at a bargain price.

And opening day proved that this year was a hit once again!

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Parents stock up on presents at the Big W toy sale

Kicking off online on June 13th and in-store from June 15th, Big W's toy sale always attracts a crowd thanks to many of the latest and greatest toys kids love reduced to half price.

It's the perfect time to stock up for Christmas and birthday presents, just ask any of the adults with their trolleys full in store.

Kidspot managed to track down mum, Selina, at the retailer's Eastgardens store, who was giving Santa a helping hand early for her children aged eight, six and four.

“I come to this sale every time it’s on, I’d be saving hundreds,” she tells Kidspot. “It’s 100 per cent worth it, the lay buy is another really good part for it.”

One mum left with a trolley full from the Eastgardens NSW store. Image: Kidspot

With her trolley filled with Nerf guns, a Gabby Dollhouse and other favourite brands, Selina said she would have purchased birthday presents as well but didn't have the capacity to get another trolley.

Fair.

Over at the Rockdale NSW store, parents took advantage of the 8am opening time to get in early - and it was an early start that was totally worth it.

"I just dropped the kids at school and came straight here," one mum boasted. "I'm glad I came early because there's so much on the shelves and I don't have to go searching for what I need!"

Another mum said she was just after anything Bluey.

"My kids are obsessed with Bluey and my daughter really wants the treehouse, so I have my eye on that one to layby," she said.

Plenty of Bluey merch on offer at bargain prices. Image: Kidspot

Parents were impressed with speedy online orders

Speaking of layby, to help families manage their budgets (cheers current financial crisis!) the retailer has introduced multiple payment solutions to help you purchase the toys you want without breaking the budget.

Afterpay, Zip Pay and Layby with the additional offering of Layby now for Christmas are all on offer.

"Customers will also have the opportunity to earn 10x Everyday Rewards points on participating brands including Transformers, Wahu, X Shot, CAT, LEGO Ninjago, Nerf and more, as well as 2000 points on participating products," Big W confirmed in their sale announcement.

For some parents, the layby for Christmas offer was the reason they had so much in their trolley, while others were begging their little ones as young as three to stop begging for more.

"Oh yes, that's so cute, but let's put the Squishmallow back for now and maybe we can ask Santa for it for Christmas," I head one mum negotiate with her young daughter.

Barbies and surprise toys are all reduced. Image: Kidspot

Parents are raving about the bargains and speedy delivery

While many parents headed into store, plenty of customers noted how quiet the stores were compared to previous years, which they described as "mayhem".

Poking around in the Big W Mums Australia Facebook group, it appears as though this year many parents opted for online shopping or their direct-to-boot service. And the store was well-prepared for those orders to come flooding through too, with orders packed and ready to pick up within hours of customers adding to cart!

"I’ve just received three text messages to tell me my toy sale packages are due today," one customer excitedly shared in the group. "I’m quite impressed with how quickly things have moved. I’m also impressed that Big W is doing deliveries from multiple stores.

And she wasn't the only one impressed with the speedy service.

"I did in-store pickup Tuesday and yesterday and within an hour got a text saying I had to book a time to pick up. From when I ordered to when I picked up it was about 3 hours. They were definitely pumping the orders out," another added.

And another shared: "I ordered at 8.30am yesterday and amazingly got the email saying it was all ready at 11am."

Play-doh and Bakugan are popular picks for the kids - or even for upcoming birthday presents. Image: Kidspot

"So fun! This is how you do a toy sale"

With the bargains on offer, shelves full of toys for the early birds, layby available and online orders pumping out speedily, it's fair to say that customers have been seriously impressed with the way the toy mania sale has been handled this year.

But possibly the best part when heading into store was the fact that the employees appeared to be just as thrilled about the sale as the parents and kids.

"I saw a lady dressed in a pink onesie and thought it was strange to be shopping in that. Then when I saw another one at the registers, I realised they were staff dressed up!" one customer shares. "So fun! Now this is how you do a toy sale!"

Another from the Eastern Suburbs said that she also noticed the staff dressed up and thought it was cute.

"I saw a couple of workers from a distance dressed up too. A Spiderman and a princess," she shared.

As for me, while I did pop into the store to check out what was on offer, I walked away empty-handed because the best part about the sale is taking the catalogue home and letting the kids circle what they want.

Now I just have to head back and cross my fingers that they're still available!