What are 'secret sales'?

Secret sales online are a gold mine if you're into the finer things in life - cheap designer clothes, cheap designer handbags, flash sales, cheap holidays and designer outlets online are full of discounted items that would usually cost you hundreds. The only difference is that they're 'secret', but all that means is you have to log in to see what is specifically included in the sales.

How does it work?

Items listed on these websites are usually purchased at a discount by the retailer because they're last season's stock or surplus that haven't been sold. For holidays, it's hotels wanting to fill their last-minute empty rooms and airlines doing the same with empty seats on their flights.

So, the 'secret sales' sites are offered these products on the basis that they will sell them all fast by having a 'flash sale' - i.e., each item will only be available for a limited time before the sale 'ends'.

So, here are our favourites - get bargain hunting!

Achica

How do I join?

• Turn off adblock if you use it so that the sign-up box loads on the homepage
• Free to sign up, requires email address, name, create a password or sign up with your Facebook account

What have they got?

• Home furnishings
• Furniture
• Fragrances
• Some clothing & accessories
• Art prints
• Phone accessories/tech
• Baby clothes
• Some food & drink

Latest sales

• Lindt chocolate, Contemporary Living homewares, The Fragrance Shop, Karen Millen

How long do sales last?

• 48 - 72 hours

What’s the ETA?

• 15 - 20 days

How much is delivery?

• Starts at £4.99

Brand Alley

How do I join?

• Disable ad-block so the sign-up window appears, sign up with name, email address

What have they got?

• Menswear
• Womenswear
• Childrenwear
• Home furnishings
• Beauty products (inc. fragrances)

Latest sales

• FitFlop, designer perfumes, Aspinal of London, Thomas Sabo jewellery

How long do sales last?

• Around 4 days

What’s the ETA?

• Within 14 days

How much is delivery?

• £4.95

Secret Sales

How do you join?

• Sign up with either PayPal, Amazon, Facebook or your email address

What have they got?

• Womenswear
• Menswear
• Designer outlets (inc. handbags, clothes)

Latest sales

• Michael Kors handbags, Versus Versace watches, Manolo Blahnik shoes (for the Carrie Bradshaw in you)

How long do sales last?

• Around 4 days

What’s the ETA?

• 2-3 weeks

How much is delivery?

• From £4.95

Vente Privee

Vente Privee does not hold stock - they simply reserve it, so when you ‘shop’ on their website, you actually register yourself for access to the upcoming sale, at which time you have to go back and buy it.

How do I join?

• Sign up with email address, name, occupation, location

What have they got?

• Designer clothes, accessories, homewares, wine

Latest Sales

• See by Chloe clothing range, Love Moschino clothing range, Chateau Lagrezette

How long do sales last?

• 2-5 days

What’s the ETA?

• 3-4 weeks

How much is delivery?

• Varies per product

Secret Escapes

How do I join?

• Sign up using just an email address or log in with Facebook

What have they got?

• Holidays

Latest sales

• All inclusive Turkey spa holiday, All inclusive Crete holiday, London hotel deals

How long do sales last?

• Up to 11 days

Voyage Prive

How do I join?

• Sign up with email address or log in with Facebook

What have they got?

• Holidays

Latest Sales

• Retreats to Mauritius, London hotel deals, cruises

How long do sales last?

• Up to 7 days

Sport Pursuit

How do I join?

• Sign up with email address and name or log in with Facebook

What have they got?

• Sports clothing, sports equipment (bikes, skis, etc)

Latest Sales

• Bike parts, Shock Absorber clothing

How long do sales last?

• Around 1 week

What’s the ETA?

• Varies per item

How much is delivery?

• From £2.99