10 Shopping Tips to Get the Best Deal on Black Friday

Black Friday is almost upon us, bringing with it all those amazing bargains, which many of us have waited for all year. You’re probably eager to take advantage of the discounts, but take a moment first to read these tips and make sure you get the very best deals when the big day comes.

1. Do Your Research Get to know everything you need to know about the products you plan to buy as well as the various retailers and the deals they are offering. A bad product is not worth getting, no matter how cheap it is. Also, make sure that you don’t become fixated on one particular deal without making sure there aren’t better ones out there.

2. Watch Out for Scams It’s not only retailers who are out to make a buck in the run-up to Black Friday. Check any promotional emails you receive and also make sure your computer is malware-free. Also, be careful to ensure that retailers don’t bump up their prices before offering a ‘discount’ or pull the classic ‘bait and switch’ trick of luring you to their store with offers on items that are always ‘out of stock’ or trying to upsell you with something similar but more expensive.

3. Scour Ads and Apps Search through all the ads and apps thoroughly for the best deals. Try not to do so randomly. Devise a plan, focus on specific items and then find the best price you can.

4. Compare Prices Before You Commit Once you’ve found what you think is the best deal, try to find other deals on the same item. Never go for the first deal you find. Search for the best one.

5. Be an Early Bird Some stores and websites offer early bird savings to shoppers. Keep an eye on this and try to bag some extra special deals before Black Friday even starts.

6. Plan the Logistics Which stores are you going to? Are they all in the same area? Or are you planning to check out two or more locations? Plan carefully to make sure that you get to each store that you plan to visit before they run out of what you’re looking for. Make a list and devise a plan on the basis of opening times and the time it will take you to get from one store to the next.

7. Watch What US Stores and Sites Do on the eve of Black Friday If you go online in the pre-dawn hours of Black Friday, you can often bag some special deals that US retailers put up for limited periods as the clock strikes 12 on the night of America’s Thanksgiving celebrations. South Africans can set their alarms to go online between 6 and 9 am (midnight in the US, depending on the state and time zone).

8. Take the Ads with You Many stores offer to beat the prices of their competitors, but only if you can bring ads to prove that you have found a better price. Be sure to take any print ads with you or show any online ads on your mobile device.

9. Create a Budget - And Use Your Credit Card Wisely It’s tempting to overspend when there are so many great savings being thrown at you. But, remember that overspending could cancel out the benefits of the savings, costing you more in the long run. Also, be very careful when spending your credit card. When you swipe, you often get a range of benefits including warranty coverage, return protection and sale price protection.
   
   Running up high credit card debt is never a good idea! However, if you make judicious use of your card, striking a sensible balance between the savings you are making and the ensuing monthly repayments, then your credit card can definitely be your friend on Black Friday.

10. Check Store Policies Check store policies relating to returns, etc. in advance of Black Friday. Returns are not always as easy as they could be, and they may cause extra problems for you.

This Black Friday - as all year round - offers the best value on photobooks, wall calendars, homeware, photo prints, branded packaging and more. Contact us for all your personalised or branded design needs.