Black Friday Shopping Tips
Black Friday Shopping Tips
Black Friday is one of the busiest shopping days of the year, and it is also one of the days when buyers make the most mistakes. Every year, we promise ourselves that this will be the last year we will be duped into purchasing items we do not need or spending far more than we should. Every year, we are filled with the promise of scoring big on some high-tech gadgets or pieces of furniture. Every year, we overspend or pay more than we bargained for. It could be that the mere thought of a discount or sale clouds our judgment, or that we are never as prepared as we believe. Whether we decide to shop online or instore we are not guarded from the many deals which are not always as good as they look, and it is easy to be fooled if we are not careful. Before we rush out or stay up all night to take advantage of this sale, there are a few things we can do to be better prepared.
- The first and most important thing we should do before going shopping is establishing a budget. Budgeting is emphasized on every financial blog, yet it is the one thing we consistently fail to do. Like children, this information appears to pass from one ear to the other. If there is one thing that would aid in planning and avoiding overspending, it would be budgeting. Decide ahead of time how much you want to spend on your Black Friday shopping spree, and try your hardest to avoid impulse purchases, especially if you're not sure how good a deal is.
- Another tip is to make a list. One buyer mistake that we are all guilty of is not making a list of all the items that we need. Because we were not properly prepared, many of us overspend or buy things we do not need or never use. Shopping on Black Friday can be intimidating, especially when discounts and deals are available on almost every product and everywhere we turn. Before you go shopping this Black Friday, take a look at what you already have. Most of us are so swayed by the discounts that we buy things we already have or that we can't use. Making a list allows us to prioritize what products we want and avoid impulse purchases, which is especially useful if we want to shop within our budget. There is no shame in carrying a shopping list around, especially when it allows us to save money.
- Another tip is to be aware of the trick’s retailers will use to get you to spend more money. Most, if not all, of us have been tricked and fooled by retailers on Black Friday. We become so engrossed in the frenzy that we let down our guard, allowing retailers to prey. Before we brave the stores, we should be aware of and avoid common retail tricks. Buying inferior products is one trick that we frequently fall victim to. Just because a smart TV looks similar to one you've had your eye on for months doesn't mean it's the same model. Many retailers sell low-cost versions of televisions, laptop computers, and tablets. These items frequently resemble higher-priced, higher-quality models and brands, but they typically have fewer features or are cheaply made. Don't get caught purchasing a "sansong" instead of a Samsung. Bring the product specification and model number with you to ensure the product you are buying is the one you want. Another retail trick to avoid is falling for misleading original prices. Year after year, retailers get away with having misleading original prices to make the discount appear larger than it is. The original price shown in advertisements or next to the product is frequently higher than the price the item will usually sell for. Before participating in Black Friday deals, it is critical to conduct preliminary research to avoid being duped. Also, instead of focusing on items and prices from a single store, shop around for the best deals.
- Another tip is to recognize which deals are legitimate and which are too good to be true. If something appears to be too good to be true, it almost always is. Although it is difficult to identify these deals that are not as good as they appear, it is critical to be on the lookout for scams, especially on Black Friday. Make sure you're buying from reputable stores and websites and avoid buying from sellers you've never heard of because they're most likely scams. Do your homework before making any online purchases, and make sure the website is trustworthy before entering any personal information. If you're not sure if a deal is genuine, ask a friend.
Written by
Sheralye Alcindor
