If you’ve switched on the telly recently, no doubt you’ll know that Black Friday is just around the corner. It’s the time of year we’re bombarded with adverts and a deluge of emails from brands promising big reductions and can’t-miss deals land in our inbox. On Friday, then, things may get a touch feral.
Despite the unsavoury behaviour Black Friday brings out in some people, one thing’s for sure – it’s the ideal last chance to grab yourself a bargain before the boxing day and January sales. Therefore, it’s important to have some guidelines in place to a make sure that you get the best possible deal and avoid making any rash purchases that you may end up regretting.
With this in mind, the penny pinching experts at Promotionalcodes.org.uk have compiled a list of the best do’s and don’ts for shopping on Black Friday, so that consumers can make sure they’re able to get the best bang for their buck. So without further ado, here is the IDEAL guide to the top do’s and don’ts of Black Friday shopping.
DOS
Use voucher sites
It’s always a good idea to check voucher sites for Black Friday even if most of the deals are offered by the retailers themselves. Do some research and you may well find a bargain on these sites. You might even get a discount on an already discounted item; a double whammy of a win.
Use apps
For the full information and tips about Black Friday, try downloading some free Black Friday apps – they can help you compare different deals and update you with new offers and sales.
Wait for Cyber Monday
If you can’t make it to the shops on Black Friday, then wait until Cyber Monday on 27 November 2017. A lot of online stores wait until this day to further cut their prices.
It saves to prepare for the big day, so do your research. Check and compare online and instore deals. It may take a bit of time, but the savings will make it worth your while.
Go for quality over quantity
Think about what you want to purchase rather than just grabbing anything and everything from the shelves. If not you’ll end up leaving with lots of items you don’t really need. It’s better to hone in on the one big product you really want and need, rather than loads of smaller, unnecessary ones.
Check social media
On the morning of Black Friday, have a browse of your favourite shops’ social media pages, especially on Twitter. You’ll be able to see some exclusive deals only available on social media.
Start early
In the weeks leading up to Black Friday, keep an eye on retailers’ websites. Some will release deals and offers early – the sneaky so and sos.
Have fun
It’s important to remember that the day should be fun, and not feel like a major chore, imposition or pressure to purchase. Be polite, and don’t go in with the attitude of ‘every man and woman for themselves’. If you lose out on the item you wanted, don’t also lose out on your dignity.
DON’TS
Don’t assume a good deal is a great deal
If you spot a deal that looks too good to be true, it most likely is. It is so easy to get caught up in the frenzy of the day; if the discount isn’t as great as you first thought, give it a miss.
Don’t buy for the sake of it
Before you make any purchases, ask yourself if you really need that item. If the product is something you could live without then put it back on the shelf. There’s always the January sales.
Don’t act impulsively
Be rational as you shop so you don’t overspend. The more impulsively you spend, the more likely you are to buy something you don’t need or actually want.
Don’t rely on it for your Christmas presents
Treat Black Friday as a head start for your Christmas shopping, rather than an opportunity to get all your Christmas shopping done in one go, as it may lead to disappointment and stress.
Don’t spend on a debit card
Rather than using a debit card to buy things online, use a credit card or pay pal – you’ll be better protected.
Don’t go
The best way to avoid the stresses of trying to get the best bargains is to not go at all. There are bargains all year round if you know where to look. If you want to avoid the Black Friday fuss altogether then stay in and put your feet up.