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Pattern Mastery

Use Brand + Category Combinations

Instead of just "pasta," try "barilla pasta" or "san remo pasta" for more focused tracking.

Example: "organic chicken" tracks all organic chicken products without being too broad.

Track Seasonal Items Early

Set up patterns for seasonal products before the season starts to catch early bird specials.

Example: Create "christmas pudding" patterns in October for the best deals.

Use Size Qualifiers

Add size terms to your patterns to track specific package sizes that offer better value.

Example: "family pack chips" or "bulk rice" to find larger, more economical options.
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Shopping Strategies

The 48-Hour Rule

When you get a price drop notification, you usually have 24-48 hours before the deal ends. Plan your shopping accordingly.

Benefit: Avoid impulse buying while still catching good deals.

Stack Your Shopping

Wait for multiple items on your watchlist to go on sale, then do one big shopping trip to maximize savings.

Benefit: Save on delivery fees and time while maximizing discounts.

Track Staples Continuously

Add everyday essentials (milk, bread, eggs) to your watchlist to learn their price cycles.

Benefit: Know when to stock up on items you'll definitely use.
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Price History Analysis

Identify Price Cycles

Many products go on sale in predictable cycles (every 4-6 weeks). Use price history to identify these patterns.

Strategy: If a product was last on sale 5 weeks ago and typically cycles every 6 weeks, expect a sale soon!

Seasonal Price Awareness

Some products are cheaper at certain times of year. Use price history to identify these trends.

Strategy: Winter clothes are cheapest at the end of winter, BBQ items in autumn.

Compare Against Historical Lows

A "sale" might not be a great deal. Check if the current price is close to the historical low before buying.

Strategy: If a product's lowest price was $3.50 and it's now $4.20 (down from $5.00), consider waiting.
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Notification Optimization

Set Smart Quiet Hours

Configure quiet hours to avoid notifications during sleep or work, but still catch deals during your shopping hours.

Recommended: Quiet 10 PM - 7 AM, active during lunch and evening hours.

Use Threshold Filters

Set minimum price change thresholds to avoid notifications for tiny price fluctuations.

Recommended: Only notify for changes of $0.50 or more, or 10% or more.

Enable Rich Notifications

Rich notifications show product images and price details, making it easier to decide quickly.

Benefit: Faster decision-making without opening the app every time.

Advanced Techniques

Multi-Brand Pattern Strategy

Create separate patterns for different brands of the same product type to compare brand pricing trends.

Example: "cadbury chocolate" and "lindt chocolate" patterns to compare premium vs. regular chocolate deals.

Use Category Filters Strategically

When creating patterns, use category filters to avoid false matches from unrelated products.

Example: "apple" in Fresh Produce category avoids matching Apple-branded tech accessories.

Track Competitors

While SmartDeals focuses on Coles, you can use similar products feature to understand market pricing.

Strategy: Use price trends to inform shopping decisions at other retailers too.
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Account & App Management

Regular Cache Updates

Update your product cache weekly to ensure you have the latest products and prices.

Best Practice: Update every Sunday evening for the upcoming week's shopping.

Audit Your Patterns

Review your patterns monthly. Remove ones that no longer match your shopping habits or aren't providing value.

Red Flags: Patterns with no price changes in 30+ days, or products you haven't bought recently.

Backup Your Watchlist

Your watchlist is tied to your account, so keep your login credentials secure and up to date.

Security: Use a strong, unique password and enable "Remember Me" for convenience.
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Premium Features (Subscription)

Real-Time Updates

Premium users get instant price change notifications, ensuring they never miss a deal.

Benefit: Act on price drops immediately before they expire or sell out.

Unlimited Tracking

Track as many products and patterns as you want without hitting free tier limits.

Benefit: Monitor your entire shopping list and discover more savings opportunities.

Advanced Pattern Matching

Premium users get enhanced pattern matching algorithms for more accurate product tracking.

Benefit: Better pattern results and fewer missed opportunities.

🏆 Power User Secrets

The "Double Pattern" Technique

Create both broad and specific patterns for the same category. Example: "yogurt" (broad) and "greek yogurt" (specific). This ensures you catch all deals while having focused tracking.

Price Drop Prediction

Products that haven't been on sale for 8+ weeks are statistically more likely to go on sale soon. Use price history to identify these "overdue" products.

Holiday Shopping Strategy

Start tracking holiday-related patterns 6-8 weeks before major holidays. Retailers often start sales early to build momentum.

The "Similar Products" Hack

When a product goes on sale, immediately check its similar products. Retailers often discount related items simultaneously.

💡 Potential Savings Calculator

Based on SmartDeals user data, here's what you could save:

15%
Average savings on tracked items
$30
Monthly savings for active users
$360
Potential annual savings

Savings increase with the number of patterns and tracked products. Power users with 10+ patterns report 20-25% average savings!