Black Friday (November 24) is one of the biggest shopping days of the year and with so much excitement and buzz around it, it can be hard to know if you’re actually getting a good deal. Follow these tips to make sure you are prepared for the big day.
Battle plan: Before Black Friday comes around and you find yourself easily tempted by items you don’t really need, write a list of what you can actually afford to buy. Only buy things off this list rather than going in blind – you’ll save yourself a fortune and won’t end up with goods you’ll never use.
Discounts: There are obviously going to be tonnes of deals everywhere, but make sure you get the best one by shopping around online. If you’re shopping on the high street remember to do a quick google on your phone to see if you can get things cheaper elsewhere. If you love a certain retailer, sign up to their newsletters ahead of time – often brands will send exclusive discounts to subscribers.
Pay smart: If you can’t afford to pay up front try not to purchase things on high interest credit cards or store cards. As tempting as a deal may seem, once you’ve paid the interest on your borrowing, you may as well have paid full price for your bargain. Instead check to see if you could get a credit card which offers you 0% interest on purchases for a certain number of months. This gives you time to pay it off without paying interest, just make sure you pay it off by the end of the 0% deal.
Don’t fall for false deals: If you’ve got a certain item in mind, get prepared and keep a record of how much it costs full price. This way you’ll really know if you’re getting a bargain on Black Friday or if you’re having the wool pulled over your eyes. In the past retailers have been known to up the price of goods just before Black Friday to make it seem like you’re getting a real bargain on the day.
Use sites like camelcamel when buying from Amazon to compare prices over time and check whether you’re getting value for money.
Factor in the cost of delivery: If you’re shopping online the cost of delivery can sometimes turn your bargain into an item you could get cheaper on the high street, especially if you have to pay for returns too. When you’re buying online do a quick search to see if the item your ordering has lower delivery costs elsewhere. It’s a small win but when you’re buying multiple presents from multiple sites the cost of delivery can really add up. Alternatively hunt for the site offering click and collect for free and plan to pick up your goods on your lunch break.
For the dedicated bargain hunters: On the day, keep an eye on your phone all day and check websites you want to buy from. Some retailers offer limited time offers of just a few hours, so shopping on the go can help you bag the best price.
Do your research: If you’re shopping online make sure you check that a website is legit before buying anything and if you aren’t sure don’t shop. If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is so do your research before buying on a site you haven’t heard of before.
