9 Top Black Friday Tips

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On the JJ Barnes Blog, I check out the top Black Friday tips from BestBettingSites expert Aiden Howe so we can get the most out of the sales, and not waste our money before Christmas.

Black Friday

As Christmas approaches, so does the much-anticipated Black Friday. The adverts are everywhere, all over the TV, radio, and magazines, getting us all excited for a day of massive sales and shopping frenzy. While the allure of deep discounts is undeniable, with the expense of Christmas being quite alarming and any opportunity to save money can be hugely important, navigating the chaos of Black Friday can be daunting.

I definitely want to save money and grab bargains where possible, but I don’t want to get over excited and buy things I don’t need, and I’m also aware that sometimes the discounts being celebrated by the shops aren’t everything they seem to be.

To help me out, BestBettingSites.com expert Aiden Howe sent over his 9 top Black Friday tips to help me get the most out of the sales.

Shopping on Black Friday is a great way to bag some amazing deals, but with most retailers pulling you in with their different offers, it can also be overwhelming.

-Aiden Howe

9 Top Black Friday Tips

1.  Shop Online

Black Friday in-store shopping can be chaotic, with long lines, limited parking, and the stress of navigating through massive crowds. Online shopping, on the other hand, offers a peaceful and convenient alternative. You can browse deals from the comfort of your couch, avoiding the hustle and bustle of physical stores.

Online shopping platforms often provide built-in price comparison tools and price tracking features. These tools allow you to compare prices across different retailers and track price fluctuations over time, ensuring you get the best possible deal.

2.  Plan Ahead

Before diving into the frenzy, establish a clear shopping list of items you genuinely need or want. Prioritize your list, differentiating between essential purchases and impulse buys. Set a realistic budget and stick to it to avoid overspending.

Research the regular prices of the items on your list to recognize genuine deals and avoid misleading markdowns. Familiarize yourself with Black Friday ads and promotions to spot the best savings opportunities.

3.  Prioritise Your Shopping

Before Black Friday arrives, take some time to create a comprehensive shopping list of items you genuinely need or want. Avoid impulse purchases by focusing on necessities and items that have been on your wish list for a while.

Establish a realistic budget for your Black Friday shopping and stick to it. This will help you avoid overspending and ensure that you stay within your financial means.

When evaluating your shopping list, prioritize essential purchases over non-essential items. This will ensure that you allocate your budget wisely and focus on items that you truly need.

4.  Sign Up for Email Alerts

Subscribing to Black Friday email alerts from your favorite retailers often grants you early access to exclusive deals and promotions. This means you can get first dibs on the best products before they sell out, ensuring you don’t miss out on incredible savings opportunities.

Many retailers use customer data to personalize Black Friday email alerts based on your past purchases, browsing history, and expressed interests. This means you’ll receive relevant updates and recommendations that align with your preferences, saving you time and effort in searching for the deals that matter most.

5.  Follow Your Favourite Stores on Social Media

Many retailers leverage social media to provide their followers with early access to exclusive Black Friday deals and promotions. By following your favorite stores, you’ll be among the first to know about these early bird opportunities, giving you a competitive edge in securing the best deals before they sell out.

Social media allows retailers to provide real-time updates on Black Friday deals, including price drops, limited-time offers, and flash sales. By staying tuned to your favorite store’s social media feeds, you’ll be notified as soon as these new deals become available, ensuring you don’t miss out on incredible savings.

6.  Use Price Comparison Websites

Price comparison sites aggregate prices from multiple retailers, allowing you to compare prices in one place. This eliminates the need to visit each retailer’s website individually, saving you valuable time and effort. With these sites, you can quickly scan through a wide range of prices and identify the most competitive deals without the hassle of navigating multiple websites.

Effective price comparison sites provide real-time price tracking, ensuring you access the most up-to-date pricing information. By comparing prices across various retailers, you can easily identify the stores offering the lowest prices for the items you’re looking for. This real-time price tracking also allows you to monitor price fluctuations over time, enabling you to determine the best time to purchase and maximize your savings.

7.  Check Return and Exchange Policies

Black Friday’s excitement can sometimes lead to impulse purchases. Reviewing return and exchange policies beforehand provides a safety net, allowing you to return or exchange items if they don’t meet your expectations. This flexibility reduces the risk of buyer’s remorse and ensures a more satisfying shopping experience.

Online shopping has become increasingly popular during Black Friday, but it can be challenging to assess size, fit, and compatibility without physically trying on or using the products. Return and exchange policies provide peace of mind in case the items don’t fit as expected or are not compatible with your existing devices or systems.

Despite retailers’ best efforts, defective or damaged products can slip through quality control checks. Reviewing return and exchange policies ensures that you have recourse in case you receive a damaged or malfunctioning item. This protection is particularly important during Black Friday, when a high volume of products is being shipped and processed.

8.  Stay Safe

Scammers often exploit Black Friday by creating phishing emails and fake websites that closely resemble those of legitimate retailers. These emails or websites may contain links that, when clicked, can lead to malware infections or attempts to steal your personal information, such as credit card details or passwords.

While Black Friday offers incredible savings, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers often lure victims with unrealistic discounts or prizes that are meant to entice them into sharing personal information or making rash decisions.

When shopping online, make sure you’re using a secure payment method and a reputable website. Look for the “https” prefix and the padlock icon in the address bar to verify the site’s security. Avoid making payments through unsecured channels or clicking on suspicious links.

9.  Cyber Monday

Black Friday often steals the spotlight with its in-store chaos and doorbuster deals. However, Cyber Monday, Black Friday’s digital counterpart, has grown in prominence, transforming into an online shopping extravaganza and often features a wider selection of deals compared to Black Friday, as many retailers extend their Black Friday promotions online.

As fun as Black Friday can be, a lot of deals aren’t always as great as they seem, so it’s essential for you to do your research and compare prices to ensure you’re getting the best bargain. With a little planning and smart shopping, you will make the most of this Black Friday weekend.

-Aiden Howe

Black Friday Planning

I hope this has been helpful and you feel able to plan for Black Friday and ready to get the most out of the bargains that will be available before Christmas!