For the gadget lovers, having the latest pieces of tech is a must, however this inevitably comes at a price as the newest technology brings the highest prices. You don’t have to pay astronomical prices for the latest tech, you just have to know how to find the best prices and know the best times to buy. This guide aims to make technology lovers more savvy shoppers and hopefully save you some cash…

Compare prices
Never buy a piece of technology without comparing prices of other retailers and websites. This may seem fairly simple but it’s surprising how often people ‘impulse’ buy and find that they could have got a cheaper deal later on. Use a comparison site to compare any gadget or technology that you’re thinking of buying. With the market being extra competitive in the technology industry as a direct result of the recession, you will be surprised at what discounts some retailers are willing to give to get you through their doors. You may find that a certain seller is having a sale or promoting the item that you’re interested in and you could save a packet by taking a few minutes out to compare prices.

Consider different brands
When we find a brand we like we tend to stick with it. We get used to what the brand has to offer in terms of design and function, however, swapping brands may prove to be beneficial if you’re interested in saving a bit of cash. When a brand brings out a new, innovative piece of technology it won’t be long before competitors bring out a similar product. For example, you could do a search for an Apple iPod at moneysupermarket.com and see where you can get it the cheapest, but if you take a look at MP3 players in general you may find that a different manufacturer has created a similar product but for a lower price.

Use vouchers
The vouchers market has surged in popularity since the beginning of the recession, and technology retailers are seeing discount vouchers as a way to keep people spending as well as developing a sense of trust with their brand. Being on a vouchers site is not only great to keep the customers coming in but also as a means of free advertisement. Before you go out to buy something do a search first for any discounts you could potentially get off the product or at the shop you’ll be buying from. You could find yourself making some huge savings.

Wait for the sales
If you can, always wait to see if the technology you’re after gets reduced in price in the winter/summer sales. Stock usually gets rotated seasonally as demand changes, but doesn’t mean that the stock which is being reduced is lesser in value. The January sales is a great time to buy technology as retailers make way for products that are more suited to spring/summer and likewise later on in the year.

Written by the Shopping Team at moneysupermarket.com