The day after Thanksgiving sales will soon be upon us. Many people are already making a list of the items they’d like to snag at these sales. And you may be wondering if the Black Friday door busters are value for money.
You can save a good amount of money by shopping at Black Friday door buster sales if you take a little time to research and prepare ahead of time. One way to ensure you’ll save a bundle is by hitting the sales online rather than going to stores, burning fuel, and having to fight the crowds.
Expect online retailers to offer deep savings on Black Friday. Some may also offer free or low shipping to entice you to shop online rather than heading to a physical store. And, if you’re ordering online, it’s quite possible you won’t have to pay sales tax, which could really add to the amount you’re saving.
Don’t expect to find everything on your holiday list. Stores may sell out of some of the more popular items, so it’s a good idea to have back-up item ideas. Here are some ways you can ensure you’ll save money, whether shopping online or offline.
1. Begin by doing your research. Head to websites like blackfriday.info or blackfriday.gottadeal.com to see what major retailers may have on sale. While these sites won’t guarantee these items will be for sale, these sites have been pretty reliable in the past.
2. Pay attention to whether the ad price is an early-bird special or an after-rebate price. The advertisement will also tell you if the items will be available only in the store or if you have to purchase them online. Sign up for email alerts to get the new circulars as soon as they are posted.
3. Some retailers will offer coupons that are available only at their website. If possible, print the coupons out ahead of time and take them to the store with you. You can often find coupons at websites such as couponcodes.com, couponcabin.com, or flamingoworld.com.
4. Make a list of the items you want, the sale price, and which stores the items are available, and whether they are also available online. You will also want to list any coupons you have and whether they’re for online or offline purchases. Cover all your Black Friday bases and you’re more likely to get the items you want.
5. Check reviews for items on your list on websites like Epinions.com, Amazon.com, or Bizrate.com. These reviews will give you an idea of whether they’re quality items or just look good on paper.
If your favorite store offers price matching during the remainder of the year, don’t expect them to keep that policy in place during holiday shopping. You’ll also want to find out about the store’s return policy, especially if you’re shopping online. Will they credit your card if you used it, give you cash back, issue a merchandise credit, or will they give you a gift card for the price of the item? The answer to that question may determine where you decide to shop.
Some shoppers look forward to the thrill of getting their holiday shopping done on Black Friday, but most would probably prefer to be at home enjoying friends and family. Are Black Friday door busters a good value for your money? Yes, they are. And with more businesses offering similar sales online, you can save more than money – you can save your sanity.
