My guide to get the best discount

How to Get a Discount?

So, you don’t want to pay full price for anything you buy? That’s smart. And why should you? These days, you have so many ways to get a discount. Here are multiple ways to avoid paying what’s on the sticker with very little effort. I will focus on sports items, but most of it applies to anything, really. If I’ve missed out on any, leave me a comment!

1. Join a Club or a Federation

Clubs usually have partners and sponsors offering discount codes to their members. I’m part of Berkshire Tri Squad, and we have numerous discounts: bike shops, bike boxes, triathlon clothes, swimming goggles, helmets, race discounts, hydration, and more.
Federations do have sponsors and partners, too. With a wide range of discounts for its members, the British Triathlon Federation offers the following example.

2. Volunteer

Races can be very expensive and put a serious dent in your budget if you are highly competitive. One way to get a discount or free entry to an event is to volunteer. One day you volunteer, and the next day you race for free!

3. Become a Brand Ambassador

Brands are looking for micro-influencers. If you have enough followers on Instagram or Twitter, you might be eligible for a brand ambassador program. Usually, you get a discount on the products, and sometimes a commission on sales. Be aware of Instagram ambassador scams, though.
Many brand ambassadors offer discounts. I have 30% off Sundried apparel and Limar helmets.

4. Check Social Media

Follow well-known triathletes and triathlon content creators on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok — especially those with over 10,000 followers. They often partner with brands and share exclusive discount codes for gear, nutrition, and race entries. Keep an eye on their stories and bio links, as that’s where most codes tend to appear. It’s a quick win: you get a deal, and they earn a small commission — everyone benefits.

5. Comparison Shop

You might find the cost of the item you want varies significantly from store to store. Never buy anything without first doing a little research. Google will show you multiple prices from different stores. But remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. So check the store reviews before making any purchases. Here is a popular list of shops amongst cyclists and triathletes: Wiggle, Sigma Sports, Evans Cycles, Decathlon, …

6. Subscribe to Newsletters

Many – if not all – online sites will offer you a 10% discount (or more) if you subscribe to their newsletter.
And if you’re worried about being bombarded by marketing emails, set a new mailbox just for the newsletter.

7. Abandon Your Online Cart

Pick out everything you want, put it in your cart, and then skip the final process. Many sites will encourage you to come back and check out with a discount. Just check your email (you may even get an offer code as you attempt to leave the site). After all, offering you 10 per cent off is better for them than you not spending any money at all.

8. Look for Refurbished Items

Most manufacturers’ refurbished items are as close to new as you can get without actually being brand-new, and they are significantly cheaper. They’ve also been rigorously tested. And if you see “new (other)” in the item’s description, it’s probably just missing a price tag or a small accessory, but the lower price is well worth it.

9. Buy Off-Season

Shopping off-season can save you big bucks. Base all your shopping on the sales cycles of the stores you frequent. Plan ahead. Buy a TT bike when the racing season is over. Buy swimsuits as winter draws in. You’ll pay way less for everything.
If you attend an event, wait until the end to buy merchandise and equipment; they are likely to go on sale.

10. Shop Warehouses and Outlets

Warehouse clubs. Outlet and factory stores. These are places where the emphasis is on getting the most value for your money — not paying the full retail price. You’ll be getting the same items, just in bulk or during the offseason. It’s great if you don’t care about wearing the very latest fashions. For bikes, check Canyon outlet, for clothing, Sports Direct. If you happen to be in France in the Champagne area, plan a day in Troyes and its three factory outlet ‘villages’.

11. Shop Second Hand

There’s no shame in buying secondhand items. Often, you can find items in excellent condition at 50 per cent less than the retail price. For bikes and accessories, check out eBay, Gumtree, and Facebook marketplace or dedicated Facebook groups – Preloved Tri Gear Buy & Sell, Running Gear Buy & Sell, Triathlon Buy & Sell UK.
On eBay, find multiple versions of the item you want and monitor them. Don’t bid too early; wait for the last moment. Fix yourself a limit and don’t go over. Ask the seller questions if the description isn’t enough (date of purchase, the reason for selling, purchase/maintenance receipt). Only pay cash or through PayPal. And check the eBayer’s profile and reviews.
For Facebook or Gumtree, make sure to check the user’s profile. Ask for proof of purchase if you buy a second-hand bike (lots of stolen goods around) and only use PayPal (if delivered) or cash/bank transfer on collection.

12. Buy When They Are Desperate to Sell

There are certain times of the month and the year that are great for savvy consumers. For example, a car salesperson may have a monthly quota to fill, and you’re more likely to get a great discount on the last day of the month. The same goes for airline tickets, items going out of season, and even gym memberships.

13. Use Loyalty Programs and Cards

There are loyalty programs that offer discounts and points at virtually every store you shop at. On top of the free Haribo you get when you purchase an item at Wiggle, you will get a 5% discount on items when you spend £100 over 12 months and a 12% discount on items when you spend £500 over 12 months.

14. When Shopping Online, Go Incognito or Use a VPN

This has nothing to do with hiding “delicate” purchases. By going incognito, you aren’t saving cookies during your searches. Dynamic pricing uses these cookies to monitor your search and spending habits, so you could pay more for certain items, like airline tickets and hotel rooms, based on your search history. Stop the cookies, and you’ll see the prices drop.
You can go a step forward and use a VPN (Hola VPN is free and works well). By being in a different country, you can save a lot on your holiday trip.

15. Wait for Sales

Shopping is just a waiting game you sometimes have to play. Clothing will go on sale as the season winds down. Electronics go on sale when new models come in. Books and Blu-rays get discounted once they’re no longer new releases. If you’re prepared to wait, you never have to pay full price.
Many sites, including Google, offer the option to set a price alert. Basically, you input the exact item you want, and the lowest price (within reason, of course) that you want to pay. When it drops to that price or lower, you get alerted to buy it.
Other sites offer discounts when major events happen, such as the London Marathon, Tour de France, etc.

16. Use Group Purchasing Power

One of the biggest examples of group discounts is health insurance. However, that idea spreads way beyond health care. Groupon was founded on this very idea, and you can find multiple sites out there offering discounts when multiple people buy the same item.

17. Use First-Time Customers Offer

Almost every online retailer will lure you in with a first-time customer offer. These savings can range from free shipping to a whopping 50 per cent off. Just register your email, wait for the offer code, and then shop with your discount.

18. When Shopping Online, Sort Prices ‘Discount’

The easiest way to check for deals is to switch from the default sorting (usually relevance) to the “discount” price option when you’re shopping online. You will have to dig through the selection to find what you’re looking for, but by applying filters, including four-star reviews on Amazon, you’ll find some killer discounts.