Savvy shoppers have flocked to BIG W stores across Australia to snap up a huge range of toys at heavily discounted prices.
BIG W’s annual toy sale kicked off last night with 35 stores opening their doors at midnight to hordes of eagerly awaiting crowds.
As many as 450 toys have had their prices slashed with huge discounts on many popular items.
Frenzied mothers took to Facebook and revealed anticipation for the sale was so great, keen bargain hunters were waiting in line for two hours ahead of one store’s opening.
BIG W’s annual toy sale is an eagerly anticipated event with many queuing up for hours ahead of the stores’ midnight opening
Trolleys at the ready: Shoppers prepared to get their hands on a bargain were prepared to spend hours waiting in line
Others who showed up for the more leisurely opening time of 7am (some stores opened in two sittings from 12am to 3am and again from 7am) were met with a rush they described as ‘insane’.
LOL Pets, the Hot Wheels 50th anniversary vehicle, Jurassic World sound dinosaurs, Pomsies Pom Pom Pets, and the new Barbie dream house are just some of the must-have toys included in the sale.
Gaming consoles were also up for grabs with big reductions on Xbox One S and Nintendo Switch.
As many as 450 toys are reduced in the annual sale with huge discounts on many popular items
Shoppers reveal just how much they spent during BIG W’s annual toy clearance
Shoppers flocking to the sale came armed with lists and many loaded trolleys with their discount purchases and they prepared to splash some serious cash.
One woman admitted to spending $1600 on her four kids before adding ‘No doubt I will get more before Christmas.’
Another revealed her budget for the shopping spree was $600 for one child and $2000 for her other two bringing the total to nearly $3000.
One woman loaded up three trolleys with toys she was intending to buy at this year’s sale
Organisation is key: Shoppers came armed with detailed lists revealing just what they intended to buy
According to the Facebook group, one woman needed as many as three trolleys for her shopping – something she said took nearly to two hours to complete.
Big W’s lay-by system – one that allows shoppers to put down a deposit and pay off goods over a period of time – was also a popular option for many.
The store offers an extended period of lay-by period of December 10 for those using the system during its sale.
BIG W’s lay-by system was a popular option for shoppers with some being prepared to waiting in line for as long as five hours
The store offers an extended period of lay-by period of December 10 for those using the system during its sale
Queues for those wanting to put their goods aside were lengthy. One woman reports she waited in line for for more than five hours.
‘I waited 5.5 hours all up so not as bad as the staff were anticipating,’ she said.
The popularity of the annual sale is due in part to the fact families can get a great head start on their Christmas shopping, Teresa Rendo, General Manager, Commercial for BIG W told News.com.au.
‘Aussie families know they can get their favourite brands at incredible prices at Toy Mania this year and every year,’ she said.