The Friday after Thanksgiving is typically the biggest shopping day of the year. It is where most stores have record sales, thus the name, Black Friday.
While many people venture out, battle the crowds and stand in long lines, others don’t. Are those who choose to stay home missing out?
Is shopping on Black Friday worth the craziness?
Yes. But there are things you need to keep in mind.
The deals may not be the best on Black Friday
There is a false sense of security when shopping on Black Friday. People tend to believe that everything they find is the best deal of the year.
But, it may not be.
While it is true many items are discounted, the truth is that they can be priced lower at other times of the year. You must do some research to find out if items are on sale other times of the year.
You can use sites such as Camel Camel Camel to watch pricing trends on Amazon. They often follow many large retailers, so you can get an idea when the prices may be at their lowest.
The doorbusters are a sales trick
You’ve seen those hot deals you see where you can get a 60” television for $50 (Ok, maybe that is extreme, but you get the idea). The problem is that the fine print says limited quantities.
Some stores may have 10 or fewer TVs at that price. You will stand in line, rush through the door, just to be disappointed. And then what happens? You buy other things you don’t need!
It’s best for you to try to buy any doorbusters online. If you miss out, you won’t add other items to your cart. There is less chance you’ll browse the site for other deals.
You need to be ready
Years ago, the deals did not start until Black Friday. However, they now begin days and even a week or more before Thanksgiving.
That means, you need to shop early…and then keep shopping.
In recent years, the discounts have started about 7 – 10 days before Thanksgiving. And, they continue through the Monday after Black Friday (Cyber Monday).
If you plan to shop only on Black Friday, you could be missing out some great savings. You need to plan to browse the deals for a couple of weeks if you want to score the best offers.
You may overspend
The lure of a good sale is often too hard to resist. That can make you spend more than you intend.
If you plan to shop on Black Friday, whether in the store or online, make a list. Then, stick to it.
Otherwise, you’ll end up doing a lot of impulse shopping and fill your cart with stuff you may not really need.
Skip the store and stay online
Nearly every deal you find in the store is also available online. That means you don’t have to put on pants to shop!!! 😉
But, keep in mind that sometimes those hot deals are gone in a flash. And, there are times where orders get canceled, so make sure you have a backup plan (just in case).
You can’t price match on Black Friday
Most stores suspend all price matching during Black Friday. If you happen to find a store that does it, it’s often the exception rather than the rule.
The Black Friday crowds can be overwhelming
You’ve seen the pictures of the pushing and shoving to get Black Friday deals. While that can happen, it is not always the norm.
But, the crowds you see? That is normal. There are long lines to wait to get into stores and to checkout. If you can’t handle people, skip the store and stay home.
So, is Black Friday worth it? For some it is and others, not so much. But, knowing what to look at and to consider will help you make an informed decision.