Why EOFY Big Discounts
Are Rarely a Good Deal
Why
“Big Discounts”
Aren’t Always
A Good Deal
As the end of the financial year (EOFY) approaches, Canberra homeowners are flooded with messages promising huge savings, and this year there seems to be hundreds of different ads just within the Canberra blinds, curtains and awnings industry.
You’ll see it everywhere: “Up to 50% off!”, “EOFY Clearance!”, “Final Days to Save Big!”. It’s tempting. Who doesn’t want to save money?
But before you rush to lock in a deal, let’s take a closer look at what these EOFY sales actually mean, and whether you’re really getting the bargain you think you are.
Because here’s the uncomfortable truth: many EOFY promotions in the window furnishings industry are more smoke and mirrors than genuine savings. Let’s take a look at the top three biggest sales tactics to watch out for.
Gimmick #1: The Dirty Secret Behind “Up To” Discounts
One of the most common tricks in the book is the use of the phrase “up to” in advertising. It sounds impressive, “up to 40% off or up to 70% in savings”, but what does that actually mean?
When you see these “discounts”, the most common assumption is that the discount applies to ALL products. So if you’ve been waiting for a good opportunity to buy that lavish curtain you’ve been eyeing for the past couple months, you’d immediately grab this opportunity. However, these discounts are often misleading.
In most cases, only one product or one configuration is actually discounted that heavily. It might be an outdated model, an unpopular colour, or a size that hardly fits any real window. The rest? They’re full price, or very close to it. But you won’t discover that until you’re deep in the quoting process and emotionally invested in the idea of a great deal.
It’s a classic bait-and-switch tactic. And unfortunately, it’s legal.
Gimmick #2: Inflated Prices, Year-Round Sales
Many retailers who promote massive EOFY sales run “discounts” all year round. The only difference is the name of the promotion. Whether it’s Summer Sale, Mid-Year Clearance, Black Friday, or EOFY, the game is the same: artificially inflate prices and then slash them in half to look like a bargain.
Here’s how it works:
A roller blind that genuinely costs $500 to make is marked up to $1,200.
It goes “on sale” for 50% off, so it’s now just $600!
You feel like you’re saving $600, but in reality, you’re paying more than what a transparent retailer would charge at full price.
At Aurora Window Furnishings, we keep our prices transparent. So while others scream about 40% off, our full price is still often cheaper than their so-called “sale” price, for the exact same product.
Gimmick #3: The Quality Control Trade-Off
Let’s say you do manage to get a deep discount during an EOFY sale. Fantastic, right?
Not necessarily.
Many retailers use these sales to clear out slow-moving or lower-quality stock. products that don’t always meet standard quality checks. These might be:
- Old lines that are being phased out
- Items that failed initial quality control inspections but were still “usable”.
- Materials with subtle imperfections (you might not notice them straight away, but they become apparent over time)
In short: if it seems too cheap to be true, there’s often a reason why.
At Aurora Designs & Window Furnishings, we don’t compromise on quality for Canberra Blinds, Canberra Curtains, Canberra Awnings and insulating window furnishings. Every product is made to order, goes through rigorous quality control, and is backed by our service guarantee. No shortcuts. No dumping ground for sub-par products just to make way for new stock.
The True Cost of a Bad Deal
Let’s imagine you buy “50% off” honeycomb blinds from a big EOFY sale. They’re delivered late. The install is rushed. A few months down the track, cords are fraying, the mechanism sticks, and the fabric is already starting to fade.
Worse still; the installation was conducted by a subcontractor to the company who sold you the product in the first place. They get paid per product installed, so they’ve rushed it to move on to earn more.
You call for help, but the company is suddenly hard to reach or they make you lodge online query forms with staff overseas coming back to you (maybe) after a few days. After all, the sale is over, and they’ve moved on to the next promotion.
Now, you’re left chasing support, facing potential re-installation costs, and spending more time and energy than you ever expected. What initially looked like a savvy purchase is now costing you more in stress, time, and repairs than a quality product ever would have.
Want to See the Difference? Get Two Quotes.
If you’re shopping around for blinds, curtains or awnings during EOFY, here’s a simple suggestion: get a second quote from someone who isn’t running a flashy sale. Then compare a so called “sale price” with someone else’s full price.
Then the question is, who can be trusted most with your investment?
Companies like Aurora don’t rely on gimmicks. We believe in offering consistent, competitive pricing every day of the year, with no games, no fake discounts, and no pressure tactics.
When you compare:
- Product quality
- Service experience
- Installation
- Warranty and after-sales support
…you’ll see the difference.
In fact, we encourage you to shop around. Get that 40% off quote from a big-name retailer, then come to us. You might be surprised to find that Aurora’s full price is still better value, and comes with better service and better peace of mind – including a minimum 15 year lifetime warranty on all products.
EOFY Sales Favour the Retailer, Not the Homeowner
At the end of the day, EOFY sales are designed to benefit one party: the retailer. They create urgency, push volume, and pad the books before the tax year ends. They’re not really about giving customers the best value, they’re about clearing stock and meeting sales targets.
As a homeowner, it’s worth asking yourself:
Is this product actually discounted, or just presented as a deal?
Will the quality last, or will I be replacing it sooner than I’d like?
Is the company responsive, accountable and local, or will I be dealing with a call centre if something goes wrong?
If you’re not confident in the answers, it might not be the bargain it seems.
At Aurora, we believe buying window furnishings such as Honeycomb Blinds, Curtains and other insulating products should be simple, transparent and stress-free.
We offer:
✅ Clear, honest pricing every day
✅ High-quality materials, custom made to order
✅ Local customer service and real accountability
✅ Expert installation from trained professionals
✅ A product you’ll love looking at for years, not just love the price tag for five minutes
So the next time you see “EOFY SALE” in big, bold letters, take a moment. Look past the flashy numbers and ask yourself: am I really getting a deal, or am I just being sold one?
Blinds, curtains and awnings are an investment in your home, not just a box to tick. And when it comes to long-term value, honest pricing and quality craftsmanship will always beat inflated discounts.
At Aurora Window Furnishings, we let our products speak for themselves, no gimmicks required. Talk to our specialists to see the difference.
