Traditionally, Black Friday has been an American tradition that sees retailers across the country slashing prices on goods the day after Thanksgiving before re-stocking their shelves for the Christmas shopping season.
But being the consumerist world that we are, this notion of intense shopping madness has caught on and, for several years now, South Africa has also participated in Black Friday sales with images of crowds flocking to outlets spreading across social media.
Well, Black Friday is upon us again and while you should have been preparing for a while already, here are a few tips to ensure you don’t get swept up in the spending spree with nothing to eat at Christmas.
Tip 1: Follow the list
Make a shopping list of the items you really want to buy on sale rather than just browsing the shelves or checking the online listings at random.
Online shopping, in particular, can be dangerous as it’s just so easy to click on an item instead of standing in a store and facing the reality of the purchase head on. Most online sites will allow you to create a wish list, but you need to be really cutthroat about what you will be buying. Remember that if you don’t need it, don’t buy it.
Tip 2: Compare prices
Check the sales pamphlets of various stores, use price-comparison sites online, and make sure you are actually getting a great deal.
The product might have been over-priced to start with so that 30% sale is actually the same retail price at another store.
You also need to be careful of retailers who are promoting items that are effectively ‘stripped down’, such as a printer which doesn’t come with printer ink or a specific cable.
Tip 3: Check the budget
Make sure you decide exactly how much you are able to spend this Black Friday before making a single purchase.
With Christmas bonuses coming early, people often mistakenly think they have a lot more to spend than they really do, ending up with huge debt in the New Year.
Be realistic about your Black Friday budget, bearing in mind how expensive this time of year can be, and then stick to it!
Tip 4: Check returns policies
The Consumer Protection Act does offer you a lot of support in terms of returning certain items, but you must be wary of stores’ returns policies on all items purchased.
Many sales items are partially damaged, which is why they’re being offered on sale, and items such as cosmetics or clothing might not be returned once bought.
Tip 5: Divide and conquer
If there are certain items you really want on Black Friday, sometimes it’s best to work with someone.
You can divide the shopping list and get the best deals faster. Just make sure you’re clear about who is getting what and at what price – don’t leave any room for confusion.
But don’t worry if you’re already too late for the Black Friday sales. There is also Cyber Monday to look forward to on 2 December, with all the sales moving online.
Shop from the comfort of your home!
