10 ways to win at this year’s Black Friday sale

10 ways to win at this year’s Black Friday sale

Black Friday shopping can be an exhilarating experience. You are doing your best to tick off all the items on your shopping list, fighting the growing crowd, resisting the flow, and carving your path. Sounds very heroic, but being a hero can come at a steep price. To avoid paying the price with your time and rest, it is important to have a plan. Here is a Black Friday shopping guide:

Go local

One of the most significant benefits of skipping big names is cutting big lines. Instead, when you decide to support the local businesses, you also are helping the community survive and thrive. You stand a chance to get better service than in crowded stores with Black Friday shoppers.

Online is winning

There’s a possibility of saving a few extra dollars with an in-shop purchase instead of buying things online. However, it is not always the case. Plus, why bother if the price difference isn’t even that huge, and you will have to spend most of your day on that one deal? Wouldn’t you instead get some rest on your day off?

Keep the list small

Before you let yourself loose in the store or on the websites, remember that the excellent deals on Black Friday are only on a few products. Remember that before you decide to put off every purchase until the sale season officially arrives, it would do you some favor.

Research

Do some groundwork

There are various reasons why visiting stores beforehand can be of great help. Shortlist a few stores you would like to shop in during the Black Friday sale and visit them before the sale madness has kicked in. You can consult with the store staff and get an idea about their sale layout and where certain things would be placed. This will help you make a beeline for the products you would be walking in to be.

Stay on track

One of the most crucial rules of successfully hacking through Black Friday sales is maintaining focus. A million deals you see in stores and sites can be easily distracting. But, you need to keep your cool and not keep stacking things on top of each other in your shopping cart.

Check the deal

Before you start stretching and practicing for D-day, it is equally important to prepare yourself financially. No, we do not mean getting your cards sorted and cash-ready, although that, too, is important. It is prudent to stroll across stores you plan on visiting during the Black Friday sale. By doing this, you can ensure the deals are helping you save money and not just trick you into spending your hard-earned money.

Stay wary of marketing gimmicks

Sellers have a way of making every deal seem like the best deal ever. This is just a marketing gimmick to make you give them your money. All the statistics that claim how many people are buying a specific product or the ones that tell you how low the stock is running are tactics to create a sense of urgency in the buyers.

Make the most of your loyalty

If you are a member of any store or program, use it to your advantage. You are likely to get early access to sales or have some coupons at hand that you can stack on with the current offers.

Socialize

Following your favorite retailers’ social media profiles is an excellent way of getting the inside scoop on sales and additional discount codes.

Get a headstart

Starting things early is a great way to avoid crowds and get your hands on the best available deals. It also means you will be saving valuable time with money. Plus, with early bird offers and preview sales, it is no longer necessary to go shopping for certain things till Black Friday. Pay special attention to things that are likely to run out of stock, like gaming consoles.

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5 mistakes to avoid to improve your Cyber Monday shopping

Cyber Monday is the best time to shop online. Shopping websites are ripe with deals and discounts on everything under the sun. You could shop for electronics, clothing, home appliances, pet products, and more. That being said, shopping online is not always an easy task, and it’s especially not easy on Cyber Monday. So, here are five things that you should avoid doing to enhance your online shopping experience on Cyber Monday. Shopping just because there are deals One of the biggest mistakes you could make on Cyber Monday is simply purchasing things because they are on sale. This will completely wreck your budget. Not to mention, buying something that was not on your priority list could mean that you may have to skip out on something that was actually on your Cyber Monday shopping list. This could be because you’ve spent all your money or missed the deals slot while shopping for something else. It can be very tempting to buy many different things on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. But, it is up to you to ensure that you stay the course and only buy what you’re looking for. Shopping on websites you have never used before Another big no-no when shopping on Cyber Monday is shopping on websites you are unfamiliar with. This can help protect you from scams and fraud and ensure that whatever you’re purchasing is the right product and gets to you on time. Do not fall for any slick new websites you have never used or heard of. Stick to your usual shopping websites or use the actual brand website if you’re shopping for certain electronics or clothing. If you do want to use a new website to shop on Cyber Monday for any reason, you can check out their online reviews and complaints. You also need to ensure that the website is protected. One of the ways to do this is to check the URL. If your website is secure, it will have “HTTPS” in the web link. Shopping without setting a budget When shopping on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it is easy to knowingly and unknowingly overspend. This can lead to you having to cut down on items you did not want to purchase or spend a lot more out of your pocket. Maxing out your credit card now can only mean that you have to pay for it later. If you use your credit card for shopping, you may also have to pay interest on your future payments. This will mean wiping out all of your savings on the Cyber Monday deals. Shop with shipping costs in mind Cyber Monday deals are usually available online. This means that you may have to spend on shopping costs. But, of course, you can find ways to work around these costs. Some brands and shopping websites will offer free shipping if your purchase total exceeds a certain value. In such cases, you can find multiple products and items you want from that particular seller. This will allow you to unlock the free shipping option. This is better than getting a better deal on another website but spending more due to shipping costs. Shopping without online cashback portals, plug-ins, and apps Cyber Monday is all about finding the best deals and discounts online. Many online applications and plug-ins, such as honey, can help you find the best coupons for a particular website. Some of these even apply the coupon code so you don’t miss out on the savings. Many of these applications also offer you cashback or rewards that can be redeemed later when you use them. This means you won’t only be saving money due to the Cyber Monday deal but also making money for using these applications. Some other must-dos for Cyber Monday shopping are paying attention to the deals and discounts, being unprepared for shopping deals, and not sticking to a shopping list.

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5 Early-Bird Black Friday 2023 Deals to Not Miss

As the calendar inches closer to the year's most anticipated shopping extravaganza, Black Friday, eager shoppers are already being treated for what's to come. While Black Friday may commence towards the end of the year, retailers are getting a head start on the deals frenzy by offering early-bird discounts. This trend, which gained momentum in recent years, allows savvy consumers to snag incredible bargains ahead of the shopping rush. Here’s everything to know. When will Early Bird 2023 Black Friday Start? Black Friday 2023 falls on November 24th, but it's worth noting that many retailers and online platforms kick off their sales well before the official shopping day, starting a few days earlier or earlier in the month. One might start seeing early bird discounts and promotions from various retailers starting November 2023 or as early as October 2023. Early Bird 2023 Black Friday deals to expect 1. Clothing and accessories Macy's has announced its Black Friday event with early access from 11th November 2023, followed by Black Friday Specials from 19th to 25th November. The discounts will be seen on women's fashion, designer handbags, jewelry, beauty brands, dinnerware, bedding, furniture, and mattresses. The event also provides an opportunity to plan for gifts, catering to various preferences such as men's clothing and kids' toys. 2. Electronics Most major electronics retailers roll out discounts on various gadgets, including smartphones, laptops, and gaming consoles. Renowned brands like Samsung and Microsoft will likely offer exciting deals through their website and retail giants like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. Apple is not known to discount its products directly but provides service bundles and trade-in programs through retailers, which can help one save significantly. 3. Home goods Early bird discounts almost always extend to home goods and furniture stores. One can expect household names like IKEA, Target, and Walmart to roll out enticing discounts on everything from cozy bedding sets to elegant furniture pieces. Whether looking to revamp one’s living space or enhance one’s home comforts, these deals can help one get the best prices. 4. Travel Many airlines, hotel chains, and online booking platforms will likely tempt travelers with early bird offers on flights, accommodations, and vacation packages for the upcoming year. Here are current early bird black friday deals one can get right now: Hopper's Travel Deal Tuesday: Hopper is set to offer discounted airfare in collaboration with participating airlines and decreased rates for resort accommodations, rental houses, and rental cars on Tuesday that follows Thanksgiving. This will enable app users to save significantly. Following last year’s trends, one can save $300 on domestic flights and over $1,000 on international flights. One can also win travel credits up to $2,000 for referring friends. Booking.com's Black Friday deals: Under its Black Friday promotion, Booking.com has unveiled attractive discounts, reaching up to 30%, for approximately 900 hotels and resorts. Commencing on Thanksgiving Day, Booking.com also extends its discounts to rental cars, with up to 25% savings. 5. Beauty and skincare One can look for early bird discounts on beauty and skincare products from popular brands like Sephora and Ulta Beauty. One can score deals on makeup sets, grooming essentials, and skincare bundles that can also make perfect gifting items for the upcoming festive season. Retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart offer steep discounts on various products and brands during this time. Best ways to navigate early-bird sales Consumers must have a game plan as the early-bird Black Friday landscape evolves. Here's how to make the most of this trend: Stay informed: Email subscribers are usually the first line of customers who get the latest updates on early bird discounts from any brand or retailer. They may also be subject to additional perks and offers as a reward. So, one is advised to subscribe to newsletters, follow one’s favorite retailers on social media, and set up deal alerts to stay updated on the latest Black Friday offers. Compare and contrast: With multiple retailers offering early deals, one is advised to take the time to compare prices and offerings before making a purchase. One can utilize online price comparison tools and apps like BuyVia, Flipp, Mycartsavings, ShopSavvy, and others to compare prices across different retailers. Some tools even provide historical price data, helping one ascertain whether a deal is a bargain. Additionally, remember to factor in shipping costs, return policies, and any additional benefits a retailer might offer. Plan: To make wise purchases, creating a list of desired items and establishing a budget is essential. Having a plan can prevent impulsive buying and ensure that one gets the most value for their money. It is recommended to prioritize the most important items and research their regular prices to identify authentic discounts. Act swiftly: Early-bird deals tend to sell out quickly, so it’s best not to hesitate when one finds a deal that aligns with one’s shopping goals.

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