An eye-watering £1.23bn was spent online in retail sales last year on Black Friday. That’s even more staggering when you realise that the total was £6.45bn spent over the Black Friday peak period lasting from 21st – 28th November 2016. There’s no reason to think that 2017 won’t see more of the same.
Realistically, as the figures above suggest, we’re no longer looking at one isolated day. Whilst Black Friday 2017 itself falls on 24th November, we know that retailers are already packing out deals and this will continue up to and beyond the day itself. Competition with other customers is rife, so how do you get the most out of Black Friday 2017?
Get Organised
The biggest problem most people find is they stumble in to Black Friday unprepared and find themselves click happy. Whilst 75% of this year’s must-have toy is an incredible deal, it’s still a waste if you weren’t planning to buy for anyone under 12 this year.
Therefore, before the day, and Amazon’s enticing ‘Lightening Deals’ really start hitting home, do your research. What purchases do you need to make? Who are you buying for? Can you narrow down to specific products you want to look out for?
Armed with this information, start browsing the big players. Head to retailers such as Amazon, Tesco Direct, John Lewis, Argos, GAME and Currys and see if they offer the products you’re looking for. If they do, then make a note to head back in the lead up to, and on, Black Friday itself.
Check Your Facts
Don’t forget to do some research as you would normally, without any time pressure. That means read reviews and discard products which don’t fare well. Also note down current prices so that you can compare them from retailer to retailer and see how good a deal you’re actually getting. Price comparison websites can help you here. Pricerunner.co.uk, idealo.co.uk, and pricechecker.co.uk are all useful consumer comparison tools.
Don’t Wait Until the Day
It used to be that if you logged on to a retailer on Black Friday you’d definitely find the best deal, even if you were faced with the scramble to get it. Now, if you start on Black Friday itself, you’re no longer the early bird catching the worm. Instead, in your visit to your preferred retailers check out when their deals are going live. You don’t want to turn up on Black Friday itself and discover you’re too late.
Use Online
Even if you’re a hardcore high street pavement pounder, the easiest way to get the most out of Black Friday 2017 is to do so from behind your computer screen. You can jump between tabs on a screen considerably faster than you can leg it from one side of town to the other. You can also be primed for the moment your chosen deals go live. What’s more, you can do it with a cup of tea in your hand.
Nonetheless, plan out the online ‘route’ you’re going to take, and write down your lists based on your research above.
Think About Returns
It’s important when it comes to Black Friday that you know your consumer rights, and the individual return policies. Almost certainly the price you pay will rise. If you return an item you’ll only get what you paid for it, and you’ll need your receipt just like any other purchase. Therefore, if you’re banking on a bargain for a gift you’re not absolutely certain will be a hit, be prepared to have it revealed what you truly paid. However, you can always request gift receipts so that the price you paid isn’t actively displayed.
Bargains Are Only Bargains if You Can Afford Them
Our last piece of Black Friday 2017 advice is to be careful. It’s easy to get caught up in the spending frenzy that the hype drives you towards. However, take care not to overspend. Set your spending limit and don’t step over it.
Good luck!
