Spotting a great Black Friday deal might be harder than you think – especially after Which? reported that 98% of products that were on sale in 2021 were cheaper or the same as their Black Friday price at other times in the year.
In fact, 86% of the items had also been the same price or cheaper in the six months before Black Friday.
So, how can you sniff out a genuine deal in the run-up to Christmas? Read on to discover our best Black Friday shopping tips.
1. Research, research, research
There’s no point in battling through Black Friday crowds or spending your hard-earned money on a poor-quality product that doesn’t meet your needs.
Before searching for potential deals, make a wish list of items you’d like to purchase. Look for products that are the best quality for your budget, and make sure you read the reviews.
It’s especially important to research brands you don’t know. Ignoring unknown brands could lead to you missing out on a nice deal, but it’s important to make sure their products are the same quality as well-known brands in the industry.
2. Look for products you’re likely to get a good deal on
Some product types are more likely to have genuinely good deals than others, and it’s important to research which items you’re likely to save money on while building your wish list.
For example, the Which? study found that 83% of headphones and earphones were cheaper in the six months on either side of Black Friday, while 0% of tablets and smart TV boxes were.
It’s worth making a note of their list so you can be wary of rushing to buy products on Black Friday that might be cheaper at other times of the year.
3. Check the price history
Once you’ve made a list of everything you want to buy, look everything up on price comparison websites such as Pricerunner to discover their previous price history.
This will allow you to decide whether a Black Friday sale is something worth getting excited over, or if the deal a company is offering isn’t as good as it sounds.
It will also allow you to avoid being sucked in by “was” prices; these include offers that are described as “was £100, now £50”, which are seen everywhere on Black Friday.
Focus on the actual price you will pay for the item and its true value, rather than the savings a price tag is claiming you’ll make.
4. Ask whether retailers will match prices
When looking for the best deals, it’s also vital to research which retailers offer price match promises.
Companies with price match promises include:
– AO
– Currys
– Euronics
– Halfords
– Hughes
– John Lewis
Even if a retailer doesn’t openly state they have a price match promise, some will agree to refund the difference if you challenge them about a price drop soon after you’ve bought something from them.
5. Start shopping early
Many shops launch deals towards the start of November and extend these savings until the end of December, so it’s important to remember that you don’t have to wait until Black Friday to start shopping.
In fact, waiting until Black Friday could lead to you missing big-ticket items which have already sold out as people snap up the best deals quickly.
6. If you’re shopping in-store, don’t forget to look online
If you plan to visit your local shops this Black Friday, don’t neglect the online deals entirely.
While travelling between stores or waiting in long queues, search online for the products you plan to buy so you can compare prices and ensure you’re getting the best deal in-store.
7. Check the returns policy
Returns policies differ with every shop you buy from as the laws regarding returns vary for online and in-store shops.
There’s nothing worse than buyer’s regret, especially if you’re shopping for gifts. Make a note of how long you have to change your mind about buying a product and look for retailers who offer an extended returns period in the run-up to Christmas.
8. Don’t forget about Cyber Monday
Black Friday used to be aimed at people shopping in-store, while Cyber Monday was for online deals.
However, as technology improves and more people choose to buy online on Black Friday than in-store, lots of people forget about the deals they could benefit from on Cyber Monday.
If you missed a deal on something on your wish list on Black Friday – especially if the product you’re looking for is related to computing – then keep checking over the weekend to see if you can spot a bargain.