Black Friday Shopping: Can You Really Save on Deals?

The holiday season is fast approaching, and numerous shopping opportunities come. This November is associated with Black Friday deals. You may start wondering: Is Black Friday worth it? As there are various sales all year long. What makes it unique? Can you save on deals?

Here, we will explore the benefits of Black Friday shopping and tips for a successful experience.

Is Black Friday Worth It?

While most sellers wait until the event day to offer massive discounts on items, some vendors prepare beforehand and offer pre-Black Friday sales to attract more customers. However, as the years have passed, some shoppers have become skeptical about Black Friday deals.

According to a PissedConsumer Black Friday Survey, 35.6% of consumers need a 50-70% discount to shop. Some sellers label items as on sale or discounted, yet the price is the same as before the sale. In other instances, the discount markdown is too small.

Black Friday shopping may also reveal counterfeit and substandard product selling cases. Some sellers stock up on low-quality items and then sell them at low prices.

That said, numerous sellers across the country offer legitimate Black Friday deals that would save you a significant amount on your holiday shopping. The key to getting a real deal is buying from reputable sellers.

Check prospective sellers’ online reviews on various platforms to determine if customers were satisfied with their previous Black Friday shopping experience.

For example, on review websites, customers leave feedback about different sellers. The overall rating of the company and details of the reviews can indicate whether the company is reliable and if you should buy from them.

Best Items to Buy on Black Friday

There is an unlimited range of products and services you can buy on Black Friday. However, you are likely to score better deals on certain categories of products than others.

Here is a list of some of the best items for Black Friday shopping:

Computers, laptops, and tablets.
Televisions and home theatre systems.

Home appliances.
Clothing and footwear.
Toys and games.

Beauty products.
DIY tools and supplies.
Home decor.

Jewelry and accessories.
Gift cards.

Black Friday Shopping Tips to Get the Best Deals

Here are tips to ensure the best Black Friday shopping experience.

Plan and research

You don’t want to jump on every seemingly good deal that comes your way. You will end up impulse buying and, in some cases, may not get the best Black Friday deals.

Instead, take time to determine what items you want to buy. Make a list of the things you need or would like to purchase. Determine if you are keen on the brand and quality. Take note of the price before the sale and compare prices across different retailers.

When the sellers advertise their Black Friday sale, check whether the prices for the items are indeed a good deal. You want to go for a 40% discount and above. Also, compare different sellers’ prices and terms of sale to find the best deal.

Avoid impulse buying

Most Black Friday shoppers impulse buy and overspend, as every item looks like a good deal. Set a budget for your Black Friday shopping to avoid negative experiences and buying things that you don’t need. Then, as discussed above, do your homework, study various Black Friday surveys, and set a list of beneficial products that you or your family require now or shortly.

After creating a shopping list, allocate specific amounts for different products or categories. If you have a limited budget, prioritize needed objects over wants.

Only buy the commodities on your shopping list during the Black Friday sale. Use price comparison apps or websites to find the best deals.

Furthermore, to avoid overspending and unnecessary purchases, ask yourself, does this item add value to my life? Do I really need it now, or can I hold off on the purchase? Also, remember about your long-term financial goals.

Beware of scams and fraud.

Scams and fraud are rampant during the holiday shopping season. Scammers are aware that most people are excited about the deals and thus eager and ready to provide their financial and personal information to make a purchase. Therefore, they devise ways to exploit the unsuspecting Black Friday shoppers.

Below is an overview of the most common Black Friday scams and fraud that you need to be on the lookout for:

Phishing scams

Scammers pose as well-known sellers and send you links with enticing deals to your email or social media messages. Upon clicking the link, you are led to a fake website asking you to provide your personal and financial data, leading to information and identity theft.

The link may also contain malware that infects your device and tracks your personal data and online activity. Thus, do not open any suspicious links sent to you on email or social media during Black Friday shopping.

Fake website scams

Scammers create fake apps and websites that look like legitimate ones. They often offer items at highly discounted prices to attract as many people as possible, especially during Black Friday shopping. Therefore, if you suspect a Black Friday deal from a seemingly legitimate website is too good, avoid it or investigate further.

Check if the same deal is advertised on the seller’s social media pages or call their customer care or sales team to confirm. Also, double-check if the website name is correct. In most cases, there is a misspelling in the URL.

Non-delivery scams

This is another common scam for online Black Friday deals. You may come across a good bargain on a given site, add it to your cart, and checkout. However, you do not get a tracking number, and the item is never delivered. Any attempt to contact the seller to follow up on your order is often unsuccessful.

Bait and switch

During the Black Friday shopping season, some sellers may advertise an item as on sale. However, when you go to buy, they claim that the items are sold out and try to upsell you on the more expensive options.

Black Friday deals are an excellent opportunity to buy certain items at discounted prices. However, before you jump on the next “must-have deal,” be cautious and reasonable.

To get the most out of the upcoming Black Friday shopping, determine the items you want or need to buy. Research to identify key features and specific models you want. Take note of current prices to be able to determine if they are indeed discounted during the sale. Set a budget and adhere to it. Do your due diligence to identify reputable sellers and be vigilant to avoid scams and fraud.