Black Friday is Just Around the Corner
Black Friday is just around the corner. It is hard to believe that another year has passed and we are once again at the busiest shopping day of the year. Companies spend all year brainstorming and planning for these sales and it is a great time to get some amazing deals. It is easy to get carried away and buy too much stuff and it is equally easy to miss out on the deal of a lifetime. It is important we take some time to do our research and plan our weekend shopping event to ensure we get everything we need at the prices we want.
Planning
Did you know that many companies have already published their black Friday sales? Some of these companies are already advertising them while others leak the information to news outlets and internet sites. There are websites out there that summarize the best deals, in the operator’s opinion, to make sorting through the large numbers of deal easier. The best way to ensure you get the biggest bang for your buck on black Friday is doing the necessary prep work. This starts by simply having an idea of what you want. Are you trying to buy gifts or are you trying to buy things for yourself? What type of items are you looking for? The big deals people talk about are electronics like televisions and computers, but almost everything can be found for a bargain. So just like the song says, it is best to make a list and check it twice. In order to be an effective shopper on black Friday, you must focus on what you need. Have a plan and set priorities. This will allow you to ensure you get the best bang for your buck and it ensures you don’t go to crazy and buy too much.
Knowing the Product
There are a lot of great deals out there during Thanksgiving week, but some of them are too good to be true. It is important to realize what you are buying and if it really is a good deal. Many companies will put high end products on sale, some will put last year’s models on sale, and some will make products just to sell as a black Friday deal. The latter is where you have to be careful. Some sales are too good to be true. For example, a store could have an unbelievable price for a television. However, it is important to look at the specifications for the product. Companies want you to feel like you are getting a deal, but sometimes these products are of poor quality. So how do you tell if you are looking at a winning deal or a lemon product? First is look at the brand name. If you have never heard of it before it should be an instant red flag. This does not mean it is poor quality but it does mean you should look closer at what you are actually getting. Next you must look at the specifications. Read the small print and do your research. Make sure you are getting exactly what you think you are. Finally, check the warrantee. Companies that stand behind their products will offer better protection to ensure you are satisfied.
Another important thing to consider when deal hunting is looking at the model year of a product. Often, companies will use black Friday to liquidate older merchandise. This is not a bad thing. Often older year products are just as good as the latest model. Sometimes these products go on sale because they were over produced and other times because a change was made in the newer product. How do we know if buying this older model is a good deal? Once again look at the product specifications. Sometimes manufactures will tell you the difference between the newer and older model quite clearly. Once you have this information you are empowered to make a decision on whether or not the deal is worthwhile. Remember older products can be a great buy, just make sure you read about them first.
Online
The internet is a wonderful thing. The World Wide Web allows us to do our shopping from the comfort of our own homes. We no longer need to wait in line at the store to get the best deals. Well that is mostly true. Many companies offer the same savings online as they do in stores on black Friday; however, this is not always the case. Some stores promote exclusive in store deals to motivate you to come to the store in hopes of you purchasing other items. So make sure when you are planning your shopping day routine that you consider this. If you want an instore exclusive you have to commit to going. You can even multitask and shop at other stores online websites, from your smart phones, while you wait in line. Additionally, if you want to shop online but still want to get your product quickly investigate buy online/pick up in store options. Most major retailers now have programs where you can purchase your items in advance and simply go to a designated area in the store for pick up. This helps you avoid the line and hassle of shopping yourself and allows you to get the items you want same day. It doesn’t matter how you use the internet, just remember it is a great shopping assistant.
Safety First
It is easy to get caught up in the hype that is black Friday, but it is important to remember no product is worth doing anything dangerous. We get so worked up and so worried that we might miss a deal that we sometimes use poor judgement. Roads will be busy and parking lots will be full. That being said it is worth taking a moment to remember to be safe. We shouldn’t be looking things up on our phone when driving and we need to be aware of what is happening around us. Furthermore, almost every year we learn about a fight over something on the news. There is no product that is worth harming someone else over. So if you think something is strange involve the proper authority. Do not put yourself in a situation that can turn hostile. It is simply not worth it.
Black Friday can be a lot of fun. Deals can be found and a lot of money can be saved. Doing the proper research can help you be efficient and get the best products at the best price. Just remember stay safe and have fun bargain hunting.