The Diwali Shopping Checklist: Buy Online, Buy Local, Never Overpay

Festive shopping goes wrong in three ways: things arrive late, a 'discount' turns out not to be one, or the size doesn't fit with no time left to return it. This checklist avoids all three.

1. 1Make the list first: who, what, and a budget for each person.
2. 2Order online by 3 November for anything that must arrive before Diwali on 8 November.
3. 3Check the real discount: compare the selling price with the MRP, and with the same product at another store.
4. 4Read the return policy before buying clothing and shoes.
5. 5Keep a local backup: find two shops near you on Nearby Shops for last-minute gifts.
6. 6Use your coins: redeem them for Amazon or Flipkart gift cards that work as gifts too.

How to spot a fake discount

An MRP is the maximum retail price printed by the brand. A real sale is a lower price than that. Be wary of products that are '80% off' all year round — the MRP was set high to make the cut look big. Our guide to real discounts explains the checks.