How to shop Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals

Black Friday Shopping Tips

The whole month of November is like the Olympics of bargain shopping. It can be a great time for smart shopping, but it’s also a frenzied time: one minute you’re Googling cranberry sauce recipes and the next minute you’re trying to find the best promo code on a Hoover. The tips below will help you take home the Black Friday gold rather than leaving the games defeated and dejected.

Prioritize Your Purchases

You may not be able to score every deal on your list. Some items may not go on sale, or others may sell out quickly. Here’s how to make the most of your Black Friday time:

• Make a List: Make a list of your top priorities and shop in that order. Don’t waste time on less-important deals if it means missing out on something you truly want.
• Be Willing to Walk Away: Be prepared to let a deal pass if you’re not sure it’s right. You’re better off not making a purchase than buying something you’ll regret later.

Research in Advance

Before the shopping frenzy begins, it’s important to do your homework.

• List Important Product Features: Focus on the most important features like material durability, power (e.g., horsepower, watts), energy efficiency, and availability of replacement parts.
• Learn Your Stores: Use the ads to figure out what stores you’ll be shopping. Find out what their return & exchange policies are, find out if they’ll price-match, get on the email list or sign up for their free rewards club, collect coupons or promo codes, download their apps. 
• Research Prices: Most people these days are aware that “sale prices” might not always be discounted from the regular price. You can use apps like Honey, CamelCamelCamel, or Google’s Shopping Insights to see the price history of an item, or you can just do it yourself by checking in on the price at various retailers in the months leading up to Black Friday. 

Plan Your Finances

Nothing ruins the elation of getting a good deal like the next day’s financial hangover. 

• Stick to Your Budget: It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and overspend. Before Black Friday, make a list of the items you need and how much you can legitimately afford to spend on each. This will help you assess deals objectively.
• Note Shipping Costs: Always factor in shipping when comparing deals. Sometimes a good price can be negated by high shipping fees.
• Say No To Debt: A Black Friday deal isn’t worth going into debt for. The math doesn’t add up. Many people save up for Black Friday, so they’re only spending money they actually have. 

Act Smart, Not Fast

It’s tempting to act quickly on limited-time deals, but if you want to save money instead of making a costly mistake, slow down and ask questions. 

• Return Policy: Is there a return fee? How long do you have to return an item? Will you get your money back or just store credit? Will you have to pay for return shipping? Are there any costs for repairs or exchanges if an item is defective? 
• Product Questions: Was this item on my list? Does it have the features I want? How durable are the materials? What are the care instructions? Can it be upgraded or repaired, or is it of “disposable” quality? Will this model sufficiently replace the one I already own (if applicable)?

Don’t Stress Over a Deal You Missed

If you don’t get an item at the Black Friday price, don’t worry. You didn’t actually lose anything – you’re in the same place you were before Black Friday, with the same bank account balance that you had on Thursday.

• No Regrets: I read an article that points out nearly half of shoppers regret Black Friday purchases. It’s bound to happen. But probably a lot fewer regret missing a sale. My guess is that those misgivings are fleeting, because there’s almost always another sale. So enjoy the Black Friday shopping experience and skip all the guilt and pressure. After all, Black Friday comes just a few hours after we celebrate everything we have to be thankful for. 

In Conclusion

Black Friday can be a great time to score deals, as long as you’re a smart shopper. If you prepare for this season by researching products and prices, understanding store policies, and being mindful of your budget, you can make the most of the sales without regret.