3 common Amazon Black Friday mistakes to keep in mind when looking for deals
Thanksgiving is here and for some it’s a two-for-one on celebrations as the day after is Black Friday! Here’s some dos and don’ts for the shopping frenzy.
Black Friday is being ‘celebrated’, for want of a better term, as we speak. Tens of millions of people are flocking to in-person and online stores to try and pick up items before we hit December.
The National Retail Federation (NRF), expects 183.4-million people will shop over the weekend.
If you want to take advantage of Black Friday or Cyber Monday deals, it is important that you know the mistakes to avoid to have a better experience. Here three common mistakes you should keep in mind when looking for deals.
Don’t get carried away by discounts
It is important not to get carried away by big discounts, as these could be “inflated”. It is known that some stores raise their prices before Black Friday to make it appear items are have major discounts but that actually are not real.
In this situation, if you already have a specific product in mind that you want to buy, the recommendation is to check the price before it goes on sale to work out if you are actually getting a deal. You can also compare the sale prices from one store to another using aggregate websites such as pricegrabber.
Another play you can make is to review purchasing policies, such as price matching. Some stores will match their competitors for pricing, if you can show evidence like a website. This works bets if one store is too far for you to travel, but a more expensive one is closer.
It is also important to check what each store’s return policies are, as they usually change during sales and the Christmas holiday.
Don’t go out without a plan
It is easy to get carried away on shopping holidays, with the allure of deals convincing shoppers to spend more than they otherwise would. However, it’s not about spending for the sake of spending, which can end up wasting money, so it’s important to have a plan.
A recommendation is to think about whether a certain item will be useful, necessary or beneficial. You can also set a budget limit so you don’t spend more than you can afford or create a list of items and stick to it.
Don’t rely only on product reviews
This is one of the most common errors, but it requires attention, both to know what buyers say about a product, and to identify “fake reviews” that could give erroneous information about the item.
The best way to know if an item is good is to research and read several reviews thoroughly, including those that include photos or videos, and not just go by the overall rating or stars, as these numbers may be “inflated” by fake ratings or reviews.
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.