Tips to Make Black Friday Shopping Easier: Online shopping has become a popular way to shop on Black Friday. However, if you prefer to visit stores to pick out the perfect gift for your loved one or yourself, then you’ll be happy to know that you can also shop in-person for many of your favorite online offerings.
Those who prefer the convenience and savings of online shopping will likely find it easier than ever this Black Friday, with sites such as Amazon opening their deals early for Prime subscribers.
In addition, some websites have made it even easier by creating apps specifically for smartphone users. However, there are downsides to shopping online versus in person that you should be aware of before hitting “buy now” on those websites.
If you prefer to try on clothes or test out electronics first before purchasing them, then keep reading for helpful tips on how to get the most out of your Black Friday shopping experience regardless of whether you shop in-person or virtually.
Black Friday is just around the corner. Before you start thinking about what to wear and what time to leave home, take a few minutes to make sure you’re ready to tackle the biggest shopping day of the year.
It can be hectic, time-consuming and tiring but with some preparation, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With Black Friday on its way again this November, there are some best practices for tackling this year’s shopping bonanza.
The chaos that comes with busy retail stores at one point of the day can make things difficult for shoppers. Here are 22 tips from us that will make your Black Friday hunting experience less stressful and more effective:
1. Plan your Black Friday shopping trip
The best way to start your Black Friday shopping trip is to plan it in advance. Take a look at store hours to make sure you don’t show up at the store during a time it’s closed. Some stores will open early on Black Friday, and others will stay closed but have online sales that start as soon as the ad is released.
It’s also a good idea to use search engines like Google to find out what specific items you want to buy, and the best places to find them. With all the different sales happening, it’s important to know what you’re looking for and where you can find it so you don’t waste time.
2. Shop in advance to avoid crowds
Yes, you should shop in advance to avoid crowds. The best way to do this is to log onto your favorite e-commerce platforms a few days before Black Friday starts. Usually, the major online retailers like Amazon, Flipkart, and Shopclues open their annual sales just a few days before Black Friday.
This way, you get to see what deals have been announced and have time to decide what you want to buy. Another way to avoid crowds is to identify which stores you want to visit and then plan when exactly you’ll go there.
For example, if you want to visit the Apple store, you should plan to go there early in the morning to avoid the rush. Same goes for the other stores. If you don’t want to go to large malls, you can also shop online. However, you need to order the items before the sales start so that they get delivered to you before the holidays.
3. Stay hydrated and fed
You may not be the type to drink water, but during the Black Friday shopping experience, it’s recommended that you keep yourself hydrated. The best thing to do is to have water with you at all times.
You can also have some snacks, like crackers, almonds, or dried fruits. Make sure you’re not completely stuffed, but have something in your stomach at all times. One of the worst things that can happen during a shopping trip is being dehydrated or hungry and then suddenly getting dizzy or faint.
If you’re shopping with your kids, make sure you keep them hungry as well. Hungry kids are not only cranky but also cranky enough to throw tantrums at the most inopportune times. So, make sure to feed them at regular intervals to avoid this situation.
4. Check product warranty and return policies
Before you go crazy buying stuff, make sure you’re not just buying the cheapest product but also getting the best value for your money. While the best value product may not necessarily be the cheapest one (as they may have been priced higher because they’re better quality), it’s smart to check the warranty and return policies of every product you’re interested in buying.
If you’re shopping online, you can look up the product on the manufacturer’s website and usually find information on the product warranty and return policies there. If you’re shopping at a brick-and-mortar store, you can ask an employee about the product warranty and return policies. Most importantly, don’t forget to read the fine print on the product warranty and return policies.
5. Make sure you have the right size
This one is obvious and may seem like common sense, but it’s important nonetheless. Most people go shopping for clothes in the wrong sizes, and that’s why they always end up returning them. When you go shopping for clothes, try to wear the size you normally wear.
Don’t go a size up or down because you think you need to in order to make the outfit look right. This is not only a bad idea because you may be buying something that’s too big or too small, but also you may end up wasting money.
You don’t want to buy a whole bunch of clothes and then have to return them because they don’t fit properly. Additionally, it’s also a good idea to try on shoes at the store rather than buy them online. Just make sure you’re wearing the kind of socks you normally wear.
6. Don’t forget the essentials
If you’re one of those people who would rather save money and forego holidays altogether than go shopping for gifts, Black Friday shopping can be especially challenging for you. However, it’s important to remember that the holidays are a time to be with family and friends.
It’s a time to show appreciation for others and make them feel special. You don’t necessarily have to spend a lot of money on gifts to make others feel special. Simple gifts, like homemade items or a hand-written card, can make someone more happy than a thousand-dollar present.
7. Negotiate prices with cash or credit-only offers
Most people only buy things with discounts, but during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, you can save a lot of money by negotiating the price of the items you want to buy. If the store is offering stuff with a special discount for only those who use a credit card, you can negotiate the price of the product with the store manager.
You can offer to pay cash instead of using a credit card. Although, this is not a legal practice and not all store managers will accept it, it’s worth a try. You can also negotiate with the store manager if they have a special discount only for those who pay in cash and you don’t have the amount required. You can offer to pay the difference later and make the payment on time.
8. Only shop at stores you know.
Many people look forward to Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping, but they forget that they are not only limited to shopping at Big Bazaar or Amazon. There are hundreds of local shops selling the same products at a much cheaper price than the online or the big-box stores.
You can also try out a new store if it has an attractive offer and you’re not sure about its reliability. But remember, it’s best to shop at stores you know. There are certain risks involved when you shop at a new store, and it can be risky at times.
9. Double-check the store’s price on Black Friday.
You can use various apps and websites to check the price of an item at a certain store on Black Friday so that you don’t get duped into buying a product at a higher price than its original price.
In fact, some e-commerce platforms even allow you to create an alert so that you get notified when a particular product you want to buy has a special price on Black Friday. If you’re visiting a brick-and-mortar store, ask the employee to show you the product’s price tag.
Make sure that the price they’re showing you is the Black Friday price. If not, you can ask them to change it. If the store has a receipt printer, the employees can print out the price of the product on a receipt for you. This way, you can double-check if the price is the same as the Black Friday price.
10. Don’t be afraid to walk away.
This is one of the most important things you can do when shopping during Black Friday or Cyber Monday. You don’t have to buy every product you see just because it has a special discount. You can walk away from products you don’t want or need.
You can walk away from the store if they’re not giving you the product at the price they’ve advertised. You can walk away from the store if the employees are being rude to you or you feel uncomfortable.
11. Know your shipping options so you can plan your day accordingly.
There are a lot of great deals to be had this Black Friday, but if you’re not ready for it, you might end up missing out. First, make sure you know the shipping options available at the retailers you plan to shop at.
This will help you plan your day accordingly. There will be a lot of orders online on Black Friday and the shipping times can vary. If you’re ordering something as a gift, don’t forget to factor in delivery times as well.
12. Set a budget before you start shopping.
Black Friday is a great time to shop for gifts for everyone on your list, but don’t go in blind. Set a budget before you start shopping so you know how much you have to spend. This will help you navigate the deals more effectively and will also prevent you from overspending.
It’s also a good idea to make a list of everything you plan to buy, including gifts for family and friends, any decorations for your home, and even groceries for the upcoming weekend. It’s much easier to stick to your budget when you know exactly what you plan to spend.
13. Don’t get caught up in doorbuster frenzy and forget to check prices
You might be tempted to rush to buy a TV at a great price, but remember that there may be a cheaper option online. Some retailers will offer the same deal online as they do in-store, making it easier to visit their website and find the best price.
But remember to be patient while you’re shopping online, and make sure you check the website multiple times throughout the day to make sure the price hasn’t changed.
14. Be patient, especially with smaller retailers that might struggle with customer service during the holidays.
During the busiest shopping days of the year, the customer service lines at many retailers are likely to be jammed up. Wait times for phone calls and emails can be very long, so be patient with customer service representatives, especially at smaller retailers that may have fewer resources available.
They’re likely working just as hard as you are to get through the day as efficiently as possible.
15. Try out different apps to make shopping easier.
There are a number of apps out there that can make your shopping experience more efficient. Some are great for finding deals, while others can help you navigate traffic and parking, and even keep track of your gift and grocery lists.
Before you start shopping, install a few apps and see which ones work best for you. You can even download a gift-guessing app to help you find the right gift for the people on your list.
16. Only buy what you need and will actually use.
This might seem like a no-brainer, but it’s important to remember that you’re shopping on a budget, so only buy what you need. It’s also important to remember that what you need might change from one year to the next, so only buy items you know you’ll use. If you’re shopping for a gift, the best way to ensure you get something the person will actually use is to ask them.
17. Find out when your favourite stores are opening
Some stores will open as early as Thanksgiving Day, while others won’t start Black Friday sales until the early hours of Black Friday morning. Make sure you know when your favourite stores are opening so you can plan your day accordingly.
You may want to sleep in and grab a nice, leisurely breakfast and then head to the stores when they open and are less crowded.
18. Use online resources to learn about Black Friday deals
While you’re waiting for the stores to open, you can visit online resources like our Black Friday deals page to learn about the best deals in your area and online. You can also visit the websites of your favourite retailers to see what they’re offering this year. If you’re visiting a physical store, be sure to check out the printed advertisement as well to make sure you aren’t missing anything online.
19. If you’re going to a physical store, know where it’s located
Some of the best deals are found in-store, but you likely won’t find them unless you know where to look. Make sure you know where the best deals will be and where you can find the items on your list. You might have to visit a few different stores to get everything you need, but it’s worth it if you save a lot of money.
20. Be flexible with your shopping plans
Black Friday is a big day for retailers, but it’s also a big day for consumers. Things are likely to be hectic and disorganized, so be flexible with your plans. You might have to change your shopping location or come up with a new shopping strategy at the last minute. But if you stay calm and organized, you’ll be able to make the most of your Black Friday shopping experience.
21. Stay hydrated, be careful around shopping carts, and pace yourself.
Black Friday is a long day, so make sure you drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. You may have to stand in line for a while, so be careful around shopping carts and try to avoid getting pushed around by other shoppers. And pace yourself by taking breaks when you need them. After all, it’s supposed to be a fun day, not a stressful one!
22. Stay safe and be courteous to others
Unfortunately, some people take advantage of the holiday shopping frenzy and try to get away with theft, like shoplifting. Stay safe and be courteous to others by keeping your wallet and bags in your sight at all times and making sure they’re zipped up when you go through the checkout line.
