Here is a basic guide to effective shopping during the post Christmas sales. It helps a lot to read this before going out shopping, if only because its too damn easy to not care about any of it once you get out and about.

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Search Everything, Everywhere

Always do a thorough search. Unless you stacked the shelf someone has arrived earlier. Usually all the good stuff has been snatched up and there are few copies left or some sucker has decided to hide a copy. Either way you need to search every degrading bargain bin and even look on the floor to be sure nothing is missed. You’re never going to locate rare or discontinued games without looking either.

Tip: Read the spines of games to quickly search a shelf or bin. If need be pull out the games in handfuls and turn them sideways to read the spine, its faster than flicking through them all individually.

Don’t Hide Games

Do not hide games while you continue shopping or while considering a purchase. All it takes is someone to do a thorough search and they will find what you have hidden. It is common for games to be hidden and for hidden games to be found during Christmas sales due to the amount of people shopping.

Tip: If you scout around you will know whether to buy a game immediately or not. Don't consider refunds if you find a cheaper price else where because the lines for returns are too long.

Scout

Thousands of people go out and shop during after Christmas sales and retailers know it. The media will tell you its the best time of year to shop but that simply isn't true. Regardless though, the world thinks it and will be out shopping. Scout out shops in the days prior while you do your present shopping. Know a good price when you see it and only give attention to genuine sales. Also predict which stores are likely to have the best sales relevant to you. This way you will know what shops to start your day with and not waste any time making your purchases.

Tip: Coming to Economical Gamer each day is a good start. Follow publishers and popularity for individual games to try and anticipate which ones might be on clearance and what locations are likely to have the clearance. Know that the Boxing Day sales are over hyped and your attention should be focused on the genuine clearance sales, which scouting helps determine.

Plan Your Morning

Once you've scouted around a little decide what complex(s) you will visit, what stores they contain, what time you will arrive and which three to four shops you will begin the day with. No need to plan the whole day only the start. Have a mental list of games you are after and dedicate extra memory to those you keep forgetting about. Sometimes it is a smart idea to line up outside the stores with big crowds. The majority of them are there because of the sale buzz but their lunacy is still a threat to your wallet. Not all complexes are open on Boxing Day, particularly in regional Australia, their sales are on the 27th or 28th.

Tip: Begin with a store that opens at 8:00am or earlier. Prioritise the first hour of shopping taking into account competing shoppers and store reputations for bargains. Crowds are a pain, but avoiding them sometimes means avoiding the good stuff.

Last Chance Games

There are always consoles at the end of their lifespan and they get sold off this time of year. The crowds mean many sales are nothing more than sale stickers, but it also means stock that needs clearing get genuine reductions. This makes Christmas your last chance for certain old, rare and discontinued games.

Tip: Know what these games are and buy them if you want.

Stay Informed

Once your shopping is over stay connected to the world. Retailers generally use this whole period to shift stock and there isn't anything special about Boxing Day sales except for the rush. Often new games get placed in view or you might have missed something.

Tip: Following Economical Gamer is a great start. You can also subscribe to our newsletter and RSS feeds. In addition you should monitor more forums than usual to try and pick up on any other deals. Many forums run their own 'Bargain' threads that are easily bookmarked.

General Information 

Early Openers (varies considerably): 

• Kmart
• David Jones
• Toys 'R' Us
• Target
• Harvey Norman
• Big W

Discontinued Games:

• Eternal Sonata
• Fury (now free but with a limited account)
• Elite Beat Agents
• Guild Wars Prophecies
  
• Dacing Stage: Mario Mix
• King Kong
  
• Please submit more games or corrections under comments

Typically Good Christmas Clearance Sales (unwanted stock):

• Harvey Norman
• Dick Smith Electronics
• Toys 'R' Us
• Big W