Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) are the most hyped events, as e-commerce stores offer massive discounts. Every year, shoppers in the United States spend billions of dollars during this period to save more. As a result, most of them rush to buy heavily discounted products without considering whether the offers are worth it. Such huge deals usually come with big risks, including impulse buying, fake sale labels, and scammers.
The good news is that there are strategic and practical tips you can use to get the best deals on BFCM and avoid regret afterward. Check them out below:
1. Track Prices
BFCM deals can be misleading, as retailers sometimes inflate prices and then pretend to slash them during the event. One of the biggest mistakes many shoppers make is unthinkingly buying without checking if the price is truly discounted. As such, tracking prices is essential in helping you avoid fake sale labels and ensure you are getting genuine deals.
Here are some top strategies for tracking prices:
- Use price tracker tools and browser extensions
There are various websites and browser extensions you can use to monitor a product’s price history and get notified when it drops. This is one of the easiest ways to tell whether the discount will actually save you money or if it’s just another marketing gimmick. For best results, start checking the prices of the specific products on your wish list in advance.
- Compare the prices
Before buying a product, always check what other online merchants are offering. Never assume that the e-commerce store you found has the best deal. You may be surprised to find a retailer selling the exact product at a lower price. A faster, easier way to do this is to use price comparison tools that show how much the same item is selling for across different online retailers.
- Check the terms and conditions
Always read the fine print on their terms and conditions to ensure there are no hidden fees associated with the product you are buying. Most online retailers offer discounts only on the item itself, and you may have to pay for shipping, which might make the deal not worth it.
Price-tracking tools you can use:
- Keepa or CamelCamelCamel – offers comprehensive price history information on Amazon products, plus alerts for price drops.
- Honey – a browser extension with a Droplist feature that lets you track and save products from various online stores and get notified when prices drop.
- Google Shopping– a built-in option in Google search that lets you track prices of different products before purchasing.
2. Set a Budget before the BFCM Weekend Rush Begins
To shop strategically and still make the most out of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, you need to know your spending limit. This helps you avoid overspending or impulse buying just because the deals are too good to pass up. The earlier you start creating your budget, the better. You will have enough time to do in-depth research on the items you desire and possibly set aside some money for them.
Additionally, ensure your shopping list is categorized into must-have and nice-to-have products to keep you grounded and help you prioritize your needs. With a realistic budget, you will avoid the chaos, tension, and buyer’s remorse that come with BFCM shopping.
3. Sign Up for Early-Access Offers
Signing up for newsletters early is one of the best strategies to save more during BFCM. Most online stores send exclusive deals, early-bird discounts, and codes to their subscribers. You can also join VIP or loyalty programs to access sales before they go public. This gives you a better chance of getting the best discounts on high-demand products, as you will be automatically alerted instead of having to look for deals manually.
4. Prioritize mobile and fast checkout
For this to work effectively, preparation is key. As such, you need to optimize your mobile browser and shopping apps early, as many in-demand or limited-stock discounts go live on mobile first. Next, create accounts on the online stores you plan to buy from and set your shipping addresses. Afterward, you can preload your cart and enter your payment information in advance to avoid delays at checkout once the sale goes live.
Always ensure you use secure digital wallets such as Google Wallet, Apple Pay, PayPal, or Samsung Pay. You can also use password managers to store your credit card data to speed up the process and avoid manually entering the information during BFCM.
5. Beware of scams
It’s cliché, but the saying “if something is too good to be true, then it probably is” still fits in this context. With all the chaos and the rush to get the best discounts and save the most money during this event, shoppers often end up falling for scam deals. If it’s extremely cheap or urgent, take it as a warning and leave it.
How to avoid being scammed during BFCM:
- Always shop from trusted e-commerce brands and ensure the websites use HTTPS or display a padlock icon, as scammers usually mimic real stores during this event.
- Do not click on social media ads or email links from unknown retailers, no matter how huge the discount seems.
- Set up two-factor authentication for all your shopping accounts to secure both your payment and personal details.
The Black Friday and Cyber Monday period doesn’t have to be overwhelming or chaotic. When you shop smartly by applying the practical tips above, you end up securing the best deals, saving more money and effort, and avoiding costly regrets. Remember, you don’t need to chase every flashy deal; you just need the ones that suit you best.
