The biggest shopping days of the year are just ahead—and some stores have already started the fun and savings earlier than ever. For many bargain-hunters, Black Friday and Cyber Monday conquests are practically a sport…so we suggest doing a little “training” for this annual event so you win big with your Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping and score some amazing deals!
How do you get organized for Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales so you don’t miss anything?
Look for early Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales online. Many stores are choosing to give their employees Thanksgiving Day off this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t shop while the pies are baking and after the rest of the family falls into a turkey tryptophan-induced coma.
How do you know if you're getting the best price?
If there are certain items you’re planning to purchase, check pricing beforehand. Then, you’ll know ahead of time if a deal announced for Black Friday or Cyber Monday is actually a good deal…or if it just sounds good.
Peruse the ads and sale circulars from the stores you typically shop in advance—but don’t forget to look into what other retailers with similar products may be offering. You might be pleasantly surprised to find a business you don’t usually frequent is running a great promotion. Black Friday ads are coming out earlier and earlier, and there are great resources to tell you when different retailers are releasing their sale information, such as this guide from dealnews.com.
Look into price matching options that may help you out if you find a better deal after making an initial purchase. Some retailers may offer a window of several days during the holiday shopping season when customers can receive a price adjustment/refund if the same store ends up selling the item for less during the defined time frame. It means doing a little homework after you’ve made your initial purchase, but the result could mean some money back in your pocket.
How do you manage rebates or gift cards?
If you’re purchasing items that offer mail-in rebates, gift cards or store credits, come up with a way to keep everything together and organized so you don’t miss out on the savings. Buyers often have to take additional steps to redeem special offers—and misplacing the details or receipts can wipe out the benefits. Keep an eye on dates for when special offers are valid or if you need to register a product. Retailers are counting on people losing track of paperwork or forgetting what they need to do, but being smart shopper before, during and after a purchase can net great rewards.
Maintaining a folder or big envelope of your receipts and paperwork is an old-fashioned but still effective way to manage the details of your purchases. There are also some great apps available to help you find and keep up with the best deals, as well as allow you to scan and save your receipts. Check out this article on the livingonthecheap.com website for top shopping app recommendations.
Happy hunting, friends!!