End of year holidays today are almost synonymous with Black Friday. It is the time of the year when you plan to make lavish purchases at prizes that almost seem too good to be true. Black Friday 2020 will most likely be an online affair due to the restrictions on crowds, which means you do most fighting online this year. To make sure you enjoy and get the best out of the experience- and your coupon code, here are some insights on how to make this Black Friday shopping the best you’ve ever had.
Draft a shopping list
This is rule number one whenever you are doing any shopping and more so on Black Friday. Think of the things you plan to buy, and you might even go ahead and throw your Christmas gifts in there to get it done with. Making a shopping list will be vital in coming up with a strategic line of attack when you are doing your shopping. It will also be instrumental when making your budget.
Make a budget and stick to it
Nothing can bring you down from the high of having scored amazing and near-impossible deals than finding out how much extra money you spent, which you do not have. The Black Friday shopping craze can make you spend indiscriminately and later suck the joy out of the day. Before you do any shopping, sit down with your list, and come up with an average price for each item. If the total is more than you are willing to spend, find out which items you can do without.
Research
Now that you have your list and budget start looking around at different stores for the best place to buy certain products. Also, think of the brand you want to buy. It is impossible to take advantage of Black Friday deals that you know nothing about.
Take advantage of price comparison tools.
Even amateur shoppers never go with the first price they see. So why should you? This does not mean that you have to move around from retailer to retailer comparing prices on the items you want to buy. On the contrary, online price comparison tools were created to do that. Go to a trusted comparison tool to compare top retailers and choose the one that gives the best possible value. Besides, some of the comparison tools will help you to discover the best Black Friday 2020 voucher codes so you can save from beauty to tech.
Shop early
The early bird does indeed get the fat worm. The best offers are no longer only on Black Friday. It’s more of a black week as more and more stores spread out their offers to begin the day or several days before the actual Black Friday itself. Keep an eagle’s eye out for midnight specials and early-bird specials on the store’s website, and use your coupon code to get fantastic offers.
Shop online
Gone are the days when you had to camp outside stores before first light blowing warm air into your cupped palms as you waited for stores to open, cuddled up in your jacket and scarf. Only those who are first line are likely to get these limited doorbuster deals you hear. Instead of lining up, look for some of these doorbusters offers online and get great deals as more and more stores put them online for a short period. You can also couple your shopping with online coupons to get ridiculously low prices in your comfortable pajamas.
Use social media
Turn on those twitters, Facebook, and Instagram notifications from your favorite retailers. Many retailers will advertise great deals and exclusive promotions on their social media pages, which is a great way to get first dibs. There will also probably be rewards for customers who like, share, or create a conversation about a particular promotion. Apart from the stores’ website, check for any deals on your friend’s pages that you may have missed and share intel on deals they do not know about.
Divide and conquer
If you plan to do in-store shopping, this might help you get to something before it runs out. It may look tempting to go shopping alone, but a team of two is always more effective than one. Recruit your trusted friend and divide up your shopping list between you two. Your friend can shop for electronics while you shop for toys or clothes. It will also be much more fun to bring a partner with you.
Read and understand the return policies.
Consumer Reports recommends that you make sure you are comfortable with the store’s return policy before purchasing any item. Some retailers adjust their policies during the holidays and sales, extending them and others, restricting them, or increasing their restocking fees. While some return policies are industry standard and you cannot change, beware of stores with excessively harsh and restrictive policies.
Create online accounts beforehand
The importance of creating your account earlier is to help you capitalize on online promotions, as you are not the only one eyeing certain products. Even if you are doing online shopping, expect that many other people are trying to get that product you plan to buy. Many websites sometimes slow down, only for you to find popular deals already sold out in this rush. Open online accounts with the retailers you have planned to shop from and save your payment and shipping details. By doing so, it will help you get in and out as fast as possible, clutching your prize.
Safety
You don’t want to lose all that money you saved on taking care of yourself to malicious internet users. While there will be people who are out genuinely shopping, there will also be a large number out looking to profit from you wrongfully. When shopping online, you will need to be extra vigilant since you will be keying sensitive information such as passwords and bank details.
When doing in-store shopping, keep your cards and cash in a safe space such as an inner pocket. If there is a mad rush to get to the door that you feel you can’t beat, hang back. You don’t have to be the first one through the door. After all, you don’t want to take the phrase break a leg too literally, do you?
