news.com.au checkout unpacks the best deals on Dyson, Apple, THE ICONIC

Retailers are discounting stuff all the time these days, but what sales are actually worth shopping and when should you hold out?

Want a good deal this November? We’ve got you covered. Picture: TikTok/@isabellaskoc1c, @studioskyla.

It feels like every other day retailers are having a sale.

It’s great for us shoppers, but can also make you second guess whether the discounted item you’re after is actually a good deal.

That’s where news.com.au checkout comes in, with our team of tech experts and shopping writers dedicated to cutting through the noise to share what sales and discounts are actually worth it.

Here we’ve collated together our top tips based on our years of experience scouring for the best deals online.

Related:All the best November sales you can shop now

Apple

The iPhone 15 Pro Max is Apple's latest model, so we sadly can't expect a hefty discount on it this November – instead be prepared to buy an older iPhone if you want an iPhone on sale. Picture: TikTok/@ijustine.

Apple devices have to be one of the most sought-after items during sales periods, but because they don’t often on sale it can be hard to know if you’re getting a good deal. Our first advice to getting a good deal would be to go through an authorised seller rather than Apple directly, as the tech giant rarely does sales.

Amazon’s Apple Store is a great place to start, with discounts offered year round on iPhones, MacBooks and AirPods. Amazon saves the best deals for its marquee sales events, where you could score up to 16 per cent off an iPhone 13 (512GB) or 10 per cent off a 13-inch MacBook Pro 2022 — you’ll be hard pressed to find a discount of 20 per cent or more on Apple unless you’re happy to settle for an older model.

Can’t wait for a sales event? Apple does offer special discounts on its MacBooks and iPads if you’re a student or teacher if you purchase from them directly.

Samsung

Samsung offers great deals if you buy from them directly, particularly on their smart phones. Making the discount even better is Samsung’s ‘Trade Up’ program which allows you to return an eligible older device and get a discount towards purchasing a new Samsung device — score!

Dyson

I trialled the Dyson Airwrap last year and can confirm, it’s amazing. Picture: news.com.au/Hannah Paine

Dyson’s appliances are expensive but certainly worth investing in. However, we understand it’s not possible for most mere mortals to spend $1000-plus on a new vacuum no matter how good it is.

Dyson offers exclusive sale events directly year-round (like their recent spring sale), but during major sale periods like EOFY retailers like Myer, Bing Lee and The Good Guys also offer sizeable discounts.

If you purchase direct with Dyson they will price match other retailers and offer exclusive extras you can’t get elsewhere, like special cases or engraving on their hair tools.

THE ICONIC

For their end of season sale THE ICONIC also offers a special further discount on certain items. Picture: TikTok/@belkurtzcreative.

THE ICONIC is incredibly popular with Aussies, and for good reason — it offers an amazing selection of fashion and accessories plus uber-quick delivery. But it’s also very generous with its discounts and you can easily get away with never paying full price at THE ICONIC. Every Tuesday, THE ICONIC offers a fresh round of sales and discounts on select products, offering up to 30 per cent off current season products. Our advice is to create a wishlist with THE ICONIC and check every week to see if your favourites have gone on sale. Of course, the most significant discounts can be found in THE ICONIC’s end-of-season sales. For their end of winter sale THE ICONIC offered up to 70 per cent off a huge range, including designer, plus certain items you could bundle together and save 20, 30 or even a further 50 per cent off.

Country Road

Country Road's spend and save sale is one not to miss. Picture: TikTok /@chelseawilliamson

At news.com.au checkout we’re big fans of Country Road as it’s not only great quality, but its pieces are timeless enough to last you many seasons to come. The best time to buy Country Road is during their annual spend and save promotion, which was held in August this year. Join as a Country Road member and you can spend $150 and get $50 off, spend $300 and get $100 off or spend $600 and get $200 off. This deal is perfect if you work in an office and want to invest in some staple blazers and suiting.

Sheridan

My personal favourite for towels, Sheridan gets justifiably great reviews for its range of bedding and bathroom textiles. It is on the expensive side when it’s full price which is why we’re big fans of their online outlet. Sheridan’s online outlet offers hefty discounts year-round like 50 per cent off their Luxury Retreat Towel Collection — yes please!

Skinceuticals

Skinceuticals products are incredible, but on the pricey side. Picture: Supplied/Marina Tatas

Skinceuticals is one of the most highly-rated skincare brands out there thanks to its results-driven products backed by years of scientific research (you can read our in-depth review of their products here). However, Skinceuticals products are on the pricey side with its world-famous Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Serum costing an eye-watering $242. Stockist Adore Beauty runs sales on Skinceuticals a handful of times a year, discounting the range by 15 per cent making it a great time to stock up on your favourites.

Home appliances

Products like coffee machines, air fryers and vacuums often get marked down by half price during sales events like Black Friday. In my opinion it’s the best time of year to get your hands on a new appliance and Myer consistently offers the best discounts. If you’re not fussed on getting an older model you could even score up to 70 per cent off as retailers will often reduce to clear older appliances to make way for newer models.

Beauty

Because beauty is a necessity (at least in my books) sales are rare outside of November and the end of financial year sales. During these events expect to see premium brands like YSL Beauty, Estee Lauder and Giorgio Armani 15 per cent off, while mid-range brands like Ole Henriksen and Ultra Violette will often be discounted by 20 per cent. Some brands will offer discounts of 30, even 40 per cent off but it’s fairly rare, so jump on it if you spot it!

Fashion

Expect 70% off fashion items during November. Picture: TikTok/@isabellaskoc1c, @studioskyla.

Retailers will often have flash 15 to 30 per cent off sales during the year, but end-of-season sales and marquee events are where the biggest discounts can be found. During these events expect to see fashion items discounted by up to 70 per cent and sometimes retailers will throw in an extra 20 per cent off to sweeten the deal.

Soft home goods

Like fashion, soft home goods like towels, bed linen, throws and towels are a category that you can expert healthy discounts on come sale time — that’s because these products have higher margins so retailers can discount more.

Expect discounts of 70 per cent or more, especially if you’re not fussed on colours as many retailers will reduce to clear that season’s colourways to make room for next season’s range.

Tech

Because tech has the highest manufacturing cost of any other category, the discounts offered are always smaller (unfortunately). The best deals are during the end of financial year sales and November, where you can expect some fairly current tech models to be discounted anywhere from five to 20 per cent off. You’re unlikely to find any discounts higher than 20 per cent unless it’s an older model, it pays to do your research when you’re looking for a new laptop or phone during sales periods.

When is the best time to shop deals?

Gone are the days when Black Friday was only a 24 hour event that you had to queue up at midnight for. Nowadays the best deals are online, with most retailers running sales for two, sometimes even three weeks in the lead up to Black Friday (which this year falls on Friday, November 24). In our experience, deals reach their peak the Monday and Tuesday before Black Friday (November 20 and 21), making it the best time to pull the trigger on a purchase.

Want more discounts? Of course you do – check out the news.com.au Coupons page to save big on all your favourite online brands and retailers. Then never miss a review, product release or gift guide by signing up our subscription fee-free news.com.au checkout newsletter.