This year, Black Friday will be on the 24th of November. But in recent years, Black Friday has become Black November, as many retailers offer mini-sales in the lead-up to Black Friday. With millions of South Africans shopping during this period, waiting until Black Friday begins can be disastrous. Therefore, it is important to have a strategy ahead of time to ensure you do not miss out on specials.
Make A Shopping List and Set a Budget
Before jumping hastily into Black Friday, doing some research on which products you are interested in can be very helpful. Simply going into Black Friday without a shopping list can lead to overspending and buying products you don't really need. Some of the most popular items for South Africans include gadgets, specifically laptops, PlayStations, phones, and the Xbox. Decide a few days before the time which products you want and stick to your shopping list on the day.
It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of Black Friday and overspend. Set a budget and stick to it. This will help you avoid unnecessary financial strain and ensure you're making smart, calculated purchases.
Check Prices From Different Stores
With so many specials, it can be challenging to find the right stores to buy the products you have in mind. In South Africa, some of the most popular stores among shoppers are Game, Makro, Checkers, Pick n Pay and Incredible Connection. Browsing the online catalogues of stores is a great way to compare prices between stores and watch how prices shift leading up to Black Friday. A useful catalogue website to use is Guzzle.
Shop Online
While Black Friday sales originated in the world of brick and mortar, most of the shopping activities are now done online. Also, more retailers will be offering many of the same promotions online that they do in stores. It’s convenient, and in a post pandemic era, it is also safer.
Note: Be sure to open online accounts in advance. Open accounts with your favourite retailers, enter your shipping details, and save them to your account so you can complete purchases fast once specials go live.
Be Careful Of Unusual Brands
While LG and Samsung are known for their appliances, there are many brands you've never heard of that claims to offer the best electronics on the market. Unbelievable specials are everywhere on Black Friday, but just because a fridge has 'Energy Efficiency' and 'WiFi Connectivity' written on the box doesn't mean its great quality. While not every brand you've never heard of is bad, there is a good reason why some are household names and some only ever appear in a sale.
Shop Early
Be sure to act fast to ensure you get the deals you want. With more retailers offering Black Friday savings throughout November, you’ll need to be ready to make your purchases early. Also, keep in mind that these specials are most often available only for a short period and in limited quantities, so it’s essential to be a decisive shopper.
Leave The Credit Card At Home
No one wants to struggle with paying off debt over the holiday season. So, be careful of swiping your credit card on Black Friday. You can quickly lose track of your purchases and completely blow your budget.
Use Coupons and Promo Codes
Don't forget to check for additional coupons or promo codes that can be applied to your purchases. Many retailers offer extra discounts, especially for online shoppers. While promo codes aren’t always common on Black Friday, some stores offer them for non-sale items. Many stores also drop their free shipping minimums at the start of November. Some stores don’t even have a minimum during this time.
Pay Attention to Return Policies
Before making a purchase, familiarise yourself with the store's return policy. Some items may have different return conditions during Black Friday sales, so it's important to know the terms in case you change your mind.
2023 has been an interesting year, and Black Friday will be too. The enormous amount of holiday advertising can be confusing and overwhelming to any Black Friday bargain hunter. So, be sure to prepare well in advance. Develop a plan and do some research. It will help to ensure that your Black Friday experience is a shopping success.
Be sure to read our article about Black Friday deals in Johannesburg here.
