This is a regularly-updated list of top short-lived bargains. They're all checked with the company's press office where possible (unless stated).
Before you get seduced by the deals, first follow this checklist. 1. Check for vouchers: See the Shopping vouchers guide. 2. Benchmark prices: Use the MegaShopBot to compare prices. 3. Will you use it: If you won�t use it, or can�t afford it even sales goods aren�t worth it. Read our tips for safer shopping.
Full DOs and DON'Ts
Whether it's a retailer or restaurateur, airline or air-conditioner seller, computer shop or car rental company, there are always two main risks. Either it's a dodgy company, or it's a legit company that has financial problems and goes bust.
The aim of these tips is to help you minimise the risks.
Quite simply, its customers are immediately transformed into creditors. This hits hardest if you've ordered goods or tickets from them, and not had delivery, as then you become one of a line of people trying to get your money back out of the company's assets, and you usually get back much less than you paid in.
Even if you've had delivery, if the company you bought from goes under and there's a problem with the goods, it can mean you've no comeback.
While MoneySavingExpert.com endeavours to check deals are valid, we don't check companies ' finances. Even huge names like MFI and Woolies have folded, so it's very important you use the right strategies to stay protected where possible.
Seen a better or different deal? Then please add it to the Hot Bargains discussion.
The Baby and Child First Aid app is the first of its kind and contains clear instructions on what to do in many emergencies. Handily, most of the information and videos are stored on the app, meaning no internet connection is needed for viewing, although some features (such as the nearest hospital finder tool) do require you to go online. The bite-sized videos make it easy to learn about first aid while juggling childcare demands.
We tried this last week and didn't have any problems but when we tested this today, there weren't any Cheekmate cheek and lip stains in stock. We were told that Boots receives stock every day so it's probably best to get down there as early as possible before canny forumites nab them!
MSE UPDATE 1pm, Wed 29 May: Due to the popularity of this offer, Park Promotions has made an extra 1,000 clematis plants available on top of the 3,000 that have already sold. Both of the seed mixes are also still available.
We've blagged a three-pack of clematis plants, plus fertiliser, for �3.55 (plus �3.95 p&p;) for MoneySavers (about �32 elsewhere). Get one of the 3,000 packs via this special Park Promotions link. The offer�s on while stocks last.
The next cheapest we've seen the plants is about �22, and the fertiliser is �9.99 elsewhere. You can get fertiliser for less, but Park Promotions recommends this variety for the clematis.
The plants are hardy climbers, ideal for sunny walls, patio pots, archways & trellis and are sourced from the breeding programme of Raymond Evison, who won gold at the Chelsea Flower Show for the 25th time this week.
Other deals
We've also blagged big discounts on wildflower and bee & butterfly mixtures, so you can seed 'em and reap this spring.
Graze sells healthy nibbles boxes. It's just launched a new breakfast porridge oats box, so we've blagged codes to get it free, for new and existing Graze customers. Graze is a subscription service so you�ll pay every fortnight if you don�t cancel after the freebie.
New Graze customer? You actually get TWO free boxes. First create an account via this Graze page, then enter the code PF6HVNZ to get a free nibbles snack box (choose from dried fruit, nuts, flapjacks and more). Then log into this special Graze page and enter the code 9L6PH5D to get a free breakfast porridge oats box.
Existing customer? Log into this special Graze page and enter the code 9L6PH5D to get a free breakfast porridge oats box (choose up to four different flavours, eg, apple & cinnamon, blackcurrant & cranberry and more, it's enough for four breakfasts), delivered to your door. Just add milk and heat as normal.
WARNING! When using both codes:
If you've not heard of dry shampoo, it's a spray to make your hair look cleaner and fresher for those in-between hair wash days. So if you don't want to wash your locks every day, you can cheat a little this way.
The flip-flops cost �15-�20 at other stores, so this is a decent saving even with the delivery charge, but even better if you can get to a store.
This is a decent price if you want this razor, though the replacement blades are a steep �11 for a pack of three and we reckon disposable or own brand razors are more cost effective. Check out what forumites are saying about this sharp offer in the Gillette Venus and Olay discussion.
These come with real lumpwood charcoal and firelighters.
I like to stock up on a few of these �1 BBQs for spontaneous days out. You never know when the sun decides to come out, and a last minute one in a petrol station can cost up to �10!
Register your details on the Halls Facebook page to get a free 17g packet of sweets, worth 55p.
There are 500 available per day until Tue 4 Jun, but they've been going super-quick each day, so register early if you want one.
Thanks to forumite RustySpoon for posting this offer in our forum.
2. Or, for �8.99, get three ready-potted 7cm Clematis plants (next cheapest �20), or pay �5.65 for 10 garden pinks plug plants, the next cheapest we've seen is �14.
See "more info" below for delivery times and a bit more about Park Promotions.
Everyone's re-leafed (sorry) that the worst of the winter weather seems to be behind us, so it's time to get mow-tivated (no more, I promise) and back out into the garden.
For �9 delivered, the seed bundle is the headline deal, since we reckon each of the four varieties are worth about �15 each.
Find the Hunger Games book trilogy for �2.99 at your nearest Smyths toy shop. The next cheapest we could find it for is �8 at The Works, so if you can find it, this is a great deal.
Stock's very limited, so call ahead to see if the trilogy is in your local store... may the odds be ever in your favour.
We've done our price comparisons and think this is a bloomin' good deal. It's hard to calculate an exact saving, since other retailers don't stock the same size products, however, we reckon the bundles are worth about a tenner each.
Fingers crossed Spring is finally on its way and you can get planting.
Forumites have pounced on this freebie, even though it's only worth about 38p. Read the full Felix Sensations forum discussion.
Go to your nearest Millie's Cookies store and get a gift box for �35. Inside you'll find 12 vouchers, each for a box of 12 cookies. This is called "year's worth of cookies for �35" offer - but we couldn't see any ads for the promotion in our local store, and had to ask for it by name.
You can take the vouchers to any Millie's Cookies throughout the year.
We think you need a few more cookies for a year's worth! Millie's says you can't use more than one voucher at the same time at the same store. But you could spread your cookie-buying out across different days, or use all the same vouchers on the same day but at different stores.
But confusingly, the staff at our local branch said we can use our vouchers however we want - even all at once. So it's worth asking your nearest store.
Don�t fall for the pound shop hype. Some things sold in there cost less than �1 elsewhere, some more. The key is to find the things you�d pay much more for elsewhere. This week we�ve found a whole range � so here goes...
Stonking deals at Poundworld include...
And at Poundland...
We are not able to tell how old the L'Oreal moisturiser is. We asked the British Skin Foundation about expiry dates on skincare. It said:
"Cosmetic products will remain safe to use provided they are stored under suitable conditions and not subjected to extreme temperatures."
"To ensure the maximum durability of cosmetic products, they should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and with the lids firmly closed."
It also said the use by date on cosmetics, is from when you open the product. So if it says 18 months on the box, it should last for 18 months from when you open it, provided it's been stored correctly.
How it works
Morrisons' Fuel Saver deal gives 1p/litre off petrol, diesel or LPG for every �10 of gift cards bought in-store.
There are 38 retailers to buy gift cards for, including Homebase, Debenhams, Currys, PC World, Next, House of Fraser, Halfords, and iTunes, plus new retailers TK Maxx, Oasis, Warehouse and Waterstones. The offer's ongoing, but doesn't include Morrisons' own gift cards.
If there's a large purchase you are going to make anyway - eg, �500 on a computer at PC World or a garden shed at Homebase - get it via buying the gift cards and you'll bag 50p/litre off.
If you bought �1,400 of gift cards, it'd effectively make a �1.40/litre tank FREE. Morrisons has also told us there's no limit per transaction on the gift cards, and you can split any amount above this into a second purchase to get a voucher for a second fill-up. Petrol vouchers are valid for 63 days from the issue date.
Use gift cards quickly
Gift cards are non-refundable, and it isn't a good idea to put money on the card to drip-spend over six months. Though most of those mentioned here are big, safe companies, if the firm goes bust you'll probably lose the cash, so ensure you minimise the time between buying and redemption.
It's also worth noting third party retailers (Morrisons in this case) don't have any responsibility to refund you if a gift card's retailer goes into administration. See the Beware gift vouchers MSE News story. Gift cards are generally valid for about two years, but always check.
Full terms on the Morrisons website. Find your nearest Morrisons.
Here are some particularly hot bargains:
Warning! While the majority of gift cards are valid for two years, it's worth remembering that if the company goes bust or even just into administration then the card becomes effectively worthless. See our section 75 guide for more advice.
There's no point spending �20+ on a HDMI cable when tests have shown there's no difference in picture between the most expensive cables and the cheapest - techy website Cnet and The Gadget Show agree.
Go to the Amazon Discount Finder and choose your department. Next, pick your discount and price range and choose whether you want free delivery. The tool will then generate a bespoke page full of discounts which fit your search terms.
Amazon often offers 75% and better reductions, yet it directs people to other areas, sending them to higher profit margin products instead.
This tool manipulates Amazon's web links to display all heavily-reduced bargains.
Our new Local eBay Deals Mapper lets you find bargains if you're prepared to pick them up. eBay sellers often specify items must be collected in person which means fewer bids. But you can't normally search 'collection only' so put your postcode in and how far you're prepared to schlep and watch the gems pop up.
Richer Sounds says some stores do occasionally run out of free umbrellas, however, it has assured us stock is replenished regularly. Still, it may be worth ringing ahead before you visit.
While this is a great freebie for dog owners, the Dogs Trust is a charity, so donations are gratefully received.
Find the best online rate for holiday cash with MSE's TravelMoneyMax.
Find the best online rate for your holiday cash with MoneySavingExpert's TravelMoneyMax.