BLOGGING THE VIEW: 5 Black Friday shopping tips to keep in mind

DON’T panic if you’re reading this, you haven’t missed Black Friday just yet! We’re still working our way towards it, but with just a few days to go, it’s time to get ready for the biggest global sale.

On 24 November, Black Friday will be upon us and, considering the financial dire straits most of us find ourselves in, we’ll be hitting this one with gusto. So here are a few tips on how to make the most of this Black Friday.

1. Follow your favourites
Get onto social media platforms and start following all your favourite retailers, subscribe to their newsletters, and find out what they’re offering this Black Friday. Many of the retailers will offer early access notifications to their subscribers so you’re getting ahead of the game.

2. Price check now
If you know what you want, start researching the price at different retailers now. You can use price comparison websites to find out how much your wish list items cost, and then know you’re actually enjoying a saving when it comes to Black Friday. Many unscrupulous retailers will inflate the original price so you’re not really saving anything, so get on top of your numbers now.

3. Avoid phishing scams
If you’re shopping online, which many Black Friday shoppers are steering towards, remember to be alert. Cybercriminals are also shopping this Black Friday and you don’t want to be the target. Be on the lookout for phishing scams, which is an email link from an alleged retailer. Check the URL, check for any suspicious wording, format or requests. Avoid sharing your personal details with anyone!

4. Stick to the budget
The week before Black Friday, you should have your budget planned out and make sure you stick to it. It’s very easy to get caught up in the excitement of it all, and feel the time pressure. With a clear budget and list of what you want to buy, you should be able to stay on course. The whole drive of the retailers is to pressurise you into reacting without thinking – so don’t!

5. Read the fine print
While many companies are looking to off-load stock ahead of the Christmas season, some use Black Friday as a way to off-load defective stock, so make sure you check the return policies. While we’re largely protected under the Consumer Act, unscrupulous retailers will try everything they can to get out of refunds or returns, so make sure you check the fine print. Another important item is the shipping – free shipping is obviously a bonus, but if the shipping works out to more than the product price, it might not be worth it.

SOURCES:
www.bizcommunity.com
www.iol.co.za
www.retailbriefafrica.co.za

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