6 Savvy Shopping Tips for Black Friday and Cyber Monday
The excitement for Black Friday and Cyber Monday is building. Did you know that people in the US are already lining up to take advantage of the sales? Crazy, right?
With people across the US and Canada flocking to stores and taking advantage of deals online, Black Friday has become a huge consumer event and it could be argued that it now overshadows US Thanksgiving. Even Canadian companies are taking part.
Are you planning on making the trip over to the US to get your holidays shopping started? Planning on scouring the net for deals? Looking for deals north of the border?
Consider these smart shopping tips to ensure your shopping experience is a successful one this year:
1. Don’t get caught up in the hype
Let’s face it – there is a lot of hype surrounding Black Friday. So much so that people often buy things they don’t need and things that are not that great of a deal. Don’t buying something just because it’s on sale. Only buy things you need or were planning on buying before the sales were announced.
2. Have a plan
If you are going to take on the crowds, you need to have a plan if you want to get all the items you want. Make a list of the items you want, what stores they are at, and how long the sales are on for so you can give yourself a better chance to check off everything on your list. Remember that certain items are only on sale for a limited time, while others are weekend long or week long sales.
3. Research what you are buying
Make sure you know what you are buying. For example, TVs are always a popular door crasher. However, they are not always the best quality brands. Even though it’s a good deal, you are probably better off sticking with reliable and reputable brands. The same applies for other sale items. Companies use Black Friday as a way to clear out old and poor selling merchandise. Do your homework on the items you are planning to buy.
4. Use your credit card
Perhaps the best way to protect yourself on Black Friday is to use your credit card. This way if you end up buying a product that has an issue or you are a victim of cybercrime, you will be protected and you will have a better chance of getting your money back. Also, if you card is compromised in any way, you will be better protected than if you used your debit card for purchases. Plus, you will be able to rack up the rewards points.
5. Only buy from credible websites
If you are planning on buying online, stick to the big name brands and credible websites. They tend to offer the best deals anyway. If you suspect anything fishy, it probably is. Also be conscious of malware, viruses, and email scams.
6. Don’t forget the coupons
Most stores offer coupons to provide shoppers with even more savings. Before you get in the car or buy an item online, check the newspaper or online for coupons.
Are you planning on doing some shopping this Black Friday? What items are you looking to get a deal on?
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