Incredible tips for shopping on Black Friday

Who doesn’t love a good bargain? And Black Friday is one of the biggest bargain days of the year. So are you ready to make this year the best shopping day ever? Head into your nearby stores – whether that’s in person or online – armed with our savvy shopping tips that’ll give you an incredible advantage over your shopping competitors this Black Friday.

1. Do your research

Most companies will advertise well in advance what kind of sales they are going to be holding. And thanks to social media and newsletters, it’s easier than ever to keep track of good offers. Sign up to mailing lists and Twitter alerts of your favourite stores, and we guarantee you’ll be kept well-informed of upcoming deals.

Even if some companies aren’t offering the best deals from the off, many big companies, like John Lewis, will actually match prices with any deal you find elsewhere – although usually not with online-only stores like Amazon. So if you can find one retailer that operates a price match policy, you can do all your shopping in one place!

2. Know what you want

We’re sure you’ve seen some of the crazy footage that emerges every year; of people charging through stores to grab TVs and everything they can get their hands on. While it’s perfectly fine to pick up a little spontaneous buy at the checkout or pop something in your virtual basket at the last minute, knowing what you want to buy in advance will save you a huge amount of trouble on the big day. Do your research (again) and figure out exactly what you want.

3. Be wary

Let’s face it, Black Friday is all about the tech. TVs are the main big buy along with DVD players, games consoles and even vacuum cleaners. And we know you’re out for a bargain, but be wary of names that you aren’t fully familiar with. Samsung, Sony and LG are known for their tech, and are therefore trustworthy and reliable. But just because a shiny new TV as HDR and 4K stickers plastered everywhere doesn’t mean it’s going to give you the same quality as a name you know. Again, do your research beforehand to figure out which brands are going to give you the best in the long run, even if you do have to splash out a little more.

4. Sign up for cashback

Perhaps the savviest of all shopping tips out there, signing up for cashback allows you to get money back on the purchases that you make online. Loads of stores already have their own schemes, such as Sainsbury’s with their Nectar points, which gives you points that can be redeemed on future shops.

For straightforward cashback deals on big purchases, take a look at popular websites like Topcashback and Quidco. Look into the terms and conditions of your credit card too, as many of these give cashback at specific retailers.

5. Know your returns policies

Even if you buy on Black Friday, buyer’s regret is still a thing, so make sure you’re well read up on each retailer’s returns policy for sale items. Almost all shops and retailers have a specific and clear returns policy but they are not required by law to do so, so make sure you’re protected if you simply change your mind. If the product is faulty or damaged, however, that’s an entirely different story.

6. Don’t forget Cyber Monday

When Black Friday first started to become a ‘thing’; first in the US and then creeping across the Atlantic to the UK, it was all aimed at hitting the high streets and brick-and-mortar stores. Skip ahead a couple of days and Cyber Monday was the day when you can sit on the couch and shop for top deals in your pyjamas.

In today’s world, more money is spent online on Black Friday, but Cyber Monday is still very much here to stay. So if you didn’t manage to get the deal that you want on the Friday, start again the following Monday and be sure to keep checking over the weekend.