Black Friday is on 26 November 2021 and is a great time to get a deal on some of your favourite items, but it can be tricky navigating the stores and finding the best deals. To make things easier for you, we’ve put together 5 shopping hacks that will help you find more bang for your buck!
First of all, think about how you want to shop this year. If you can’t make it there in person, use this time to shop online instead. This year is expected to be a little different in terms of how retailers meet their customers. The days of rushing in store to get the best deal are coming to an end, as most stores are offering the same prices and products online. If you shop online, you can also start as soon as the clock strikes midnight and avoid the traffic.
Second, don’t be afraid to ask for an extra discount. Many stores will offer a certain percentage off of your total purchase if you’re polite and have the time to wait in line again. If they are unwilling to give you that deal right then, simply check back later when it’s closer to closing time or ask for a rain check.
Also try finding some coupons and deals before you go to the store! There are great savings out there if you know where to look, so start your Black Friday sales off early by checking online or in the newspaper for extra money saving opportunities that will allow you to get even more of what you want without breaking your budget. It can also be a good idea to ask about price matching. Many stores will match the prices of their competitors and/or give you discounts for bringing in a competitor’s ad so it pays off to do your homework before heading out on Black Friday. If all else fails, just remember that every store has a customer service line that you can call and ask about their Black Friday specials!
Thirdly, plan ahead! Don’t wait until Black Friday is right around the corner before starting your shopping list because it will be too late by then. Make a list of all the items you need and start checking off those things as soon as they go on sale throughout November. It’s always a good idea to make a wish list before you start shopping, so that you don’t get sidetracked browsing. It’s best to prioritise the things you really want first, so that you can pick these up before they sell out. As much as we all love Black Friday sales, they are designed to get us to spend money on things we otherwise wouldn’t have, so try not to make too many impulse buys.
Fourth, shop early. While you might miss out on the excitement of Black Friday shopping, you won’t have to fight for your spot in line or worry about getting there before everything sells out. There are a few very in demand products that may or may not be discounted – such as the PS5 and the Xbox Series S. For products like these, it’s best to purchase them as soon as they’re available, rather than trying to wait it out and see if you can score a discount. If there’s an item you really want, it might be worth paying a little extra to make sure you secure it before it sells out.
Finally, there are a few extra preparations you might want to make to help your shopping experience go smoothly. If you’re shopping for clothes, make sure you know all your measurements beforehand to avoid having to spend time in the changeroom or scrutinising the images online. If you are shopping online, you should also make sure your internet connection is strong and that you’re not trying to run too many programs at once, because sites will most likely crash or be very slow on Black Friday.