#BlackFriday: Seven ways to do Black Friday like a boss
From planning to execution, follow our tips to keep you savvy on one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
It’s the most anticipated shopping day of the year, but to make the most of your Black Friday there are a few things you need to know.
From planning to execution, follow our tips to keep you savvy on one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
1. Plan to win
Do you know what time you are waking up on Black Friday?
How about which stores you are going to tackle, and in which order?
If you think you are going to just waltz into your local mall and walk out with a whole lot of bargains, it is time to get a better strategy.
Right when the sales are announced, you can start planning what you are buying, from where, and what time to line up. If you have your eyes on a big-ticket item like a television or laptop, know that you will have plenty of competition from fellow shoppers, so pick a store with a layout you are familiar with.
2. Pack like a champion
Arm yourself with the following essentials:
A water bottle, snacks, a light book or your favourite newspaper to keep you entertained.
And wear sensible shoes.
You may need to run to beat someone to that last double-door fridge, and you will definitely walk a lot.
3. Resist impulse purchases
When those doors open, you will be thrown into a world of retail temptation.
Be armed with a plan to resist any sudden urges and have a productive shopping day.
Have all the items you want and their prices listed and budgeted, and be sure to stick to it.
You do not want to blow your budget on impulse buys before you have crossed everything off on your list.
It is also a good idea to check your daily card limit to avoid the “Sorry, nè” expression from the teller.
4. Choose your battle field
If you have to choose between shopping online and in-store for Black Friday, you should know that there are plenty of “doorbuster” sales that are only valid if you actually show up to the store.
These are usually high-end products with huge markdowns, like televisions, gaming systems and cameras.
The good news is that the sale items are usually announced well in advance.
5. Shop for big-ticket items first
Black Friday offers some deep discounts on certain items, but for others, there are better sales out there at other times.
With this knowledge, you can strategise on the smartest things to buy on and what to skip.
Smaller products, such as toys, will also continue to be discounted well into December as the holidays get closer.
Prioritise the biggest items on your shopping list, because these are usually the first to sell out.
Wait until later in the day to shop for smaller items since they go on sale far more frequently, and the money saved isn’t nearly as much as on a big-ticket item.
6. Outsmart the enemy
Watch out for people jumping in on the sales frenzy with items marked sale that are the same price as they always are.
Do your research to avoid being duped.
7. Never leave a fellow shopper behind
Use the buddy system. Shopping alone on a Black Friday is like drinking alone.
You should not do it.
Grab your bestie and keep each other safe.
If you are shopping for some of the same items you could divide and conquer, which will mean less time in queues and less chance of missing out.
