Buy One Get One Free: BOGOF Offers

Buy-one-get-one-free offers (or BOGOF) are a novel way of getting a bargain. The idea is you buy an item, say, a pillow. Then you can get another pillow free. The second free pillow is usually cheaper than the first – in other words, you can’t pay for a $10 pillow and get a $30 pillow free; you’d pay for the $30 pillow and get the $10 one free. Sometimes you can buy two things in the same line but different types, for example two packets of instant noodles that are different flavours but the same brand. Or you visit a restaurant and buy one meal, and receive a second (cheaper) meal at no cost. The meals might be different – fish and steak – but the deal is still a BOGOF.

This kind of marketing strategy is known as ‘spend to save’, that is, you need to spend money in order to save it. The consumer may not normally have bought the item, but because it is seen as a bargain (50% off, as opposed to a reduction in the price of a single item) they feel compelled to buy the article, and take advantage of the BOGOF offer. The fact they are getting a whole item for free is seen as a bargain, even though they might not need to article in the first place. Care needs to be taken, therefore, that you don’t end up buying something you don’t need just because it is free. It’s not a bargain if you don’t need it!

However, if you are in need of something and it happens to be on sale in a BOGOF offer, then it can be a very cheap way of getting an item you’ve been after. For example, many lighting stores have BOGOF offers – if you are looking at refitting your house (or even fitting a new house) with lighting, then this is a great way to do so and save money. But buying two lights in a BOGOF offer is not a bargain if you don’t need the lights in the first place (unless you plan on on-selling them at full price).

Sometimes things are offered in a BOGOF sale but you only need one, however you know of a friend who needs one as well – this is a great way to grab a bargain and share the savings. You and your friend are paying 50% each, but you’re not stuck with something you don’t need two of, such as a flash drive or board game. Or you can take a friend to a restaurant and get a BOGOF meal to make things a little cheaper for you both (not recommended on a date!).

At Eye2spy we will tell you how to get the best BOGOF specials, from diapers to photo paper, fries to oil changes. Check in regularly to see what we have, and what we can get, all in the name of a great bargain!