One of the biggest shopping events of the year is just around the corner and if you’re like most people, you’re trying to figure out what to buy and where to buy it. Black Friday has morphed into Cyber Week over the last number of years with plenty of bargains to take advantage of. It can be a great time to shop for home furniture, electrical appliances, your favourite beauty products and to get a head start on Christmas gift shopping for family and friends.
But with every store and online retailer advertising deals, it can be difficult to get swept up in the deals. Here a few tips that will have you ready to take advantage of all the great savings coming your way on Black Friday without impulse shopping.
Avoid impulse shopping
Impulse purchases can often become regret filled purchases. It can be difficult to avoid the bright discounted tags but the best purchases are the more considered ones. To avoid impulse shopping, it is best to shop with a plan. Before shopping, assess what it us you need. For example, it maybe you are looking for a new laptop, a staple winter coat or to freshen up your make up bag this Black Friday. Sticking to a list of items you need will focus your search and reduce impulse shopping. In the event that something does catch you eye, consider the following before purchasing:
- Do you need it?
- Is it a versatile item?
- Do you already own something similar
- Would you have paid full price or is it the discount that is appealing?
Answering these questions will reduce impulse buying and rather than having buyers regret you will be able to enjoy your new purchases.
Set a budget
We are approaching an expensive time of the year, therefore before setting out in search of your desired items, set a budget and stick to it. If you are taking advantage of the sales in order to start your Christmas gift shopping, set a budget per person. This way you will have a clear idea of what you have to spend and you will be able to enjoy whatever is left over on a treat for yourself.
Make a plan
When it comes to Black Friday, keep in mind is that there are three types of deals: in-store only, online only, or a combination of the two. Whichever option you choose, if you want to find a great deal, you’ll want to shop as early as possible. Figure out which stores you want to visit in person or online. Make a list of stores you are interested in and then visit their websites to see what current prices are like and what deals they’re offering. Keep in mind that different stores have different sale dates so you’ll need to do some research ahead of time to determine which when to shop in your favourite stores.
Sign up for customer newsletters
Most online retailers offer special discounts or early access to customers subscribed to their regular newsletters, so it can be beneficial to sign up before Black Friday. Don’t overwhelm yourself or your inbox, sign up to the most relevant retailers to you.
Be prepared for the crowds
If shopping in person, there are a lot of things that can go wrong on Black Friday such as long lines at the cash registers and out of stock items so make sure you are prepared for this ahead of time, have a selection of options to check out and schedule a coffee break to take stock.
