Black Friday: A Month-Long Retail Event That's Lost Its Bite. Here's How to Make the Most of It.
For decades, Black Friday was synonymous with door-busting deals and frantic shoppers braving the elements to snag limited-time bargains. However, over time, the sales event has grown into an entire month of sales that ebb and flow.
As a seasoned Black Friday veteran who's been shopping since childhood and writing about them since 2013, I've learned a thing or two about navigating this retail behemoth. My advice? Stay up late on the day before Thanksgiving to check for online sales starting around midnight Eastern time on Wednesday, November 26.
Early Black Friday deals are available now, as they usually are during the weeks leading up to the event. But be aware that many retailers make their Black Friday ads available in early November, so it's a good idea to review them beforehand.
With nearly every retailer participating in some capacity, you're likely to find deals on just about everything. However, not all deals are created equal. Research is key to determining whether a deal is truly worth your time and money.
Consider the following tips when evaluating Black Friday deals:
* Always do your price research.
* Make a shopping list beforehand to avoid impulse buys that'll have you going over your budget.
* Price-checking tools like Camelcamelcamel, Keepa, and Honey can be valuable resources in helping you determine whether a deal is genuine.
* Be prepared to refresh the website at exactly the start time of a doorbuster deal to snag it before they sell out.
Cyber Monday and other shopping holidays throughout the year often offer similar deals. However, it's essential to remember that not all Black Friday deals are created equal, and some may be more enticing than others.
The bottom line is that there are deals on just about every sort of item you can think of. If you're diligent about scoring a sale, you can save money on the things you need and want to buy.
For decades, Black Friday was synonymous with door-busting deals and frantic shoppers braving the elements to snag limited-time bargains. However, over time, the sales event has grown into an entire month of sales that ebb and flow.
As a seasoned Black Friday veteran who's been shopping since childhood and writing about them since 2013, I've learned a thing or two about navigating this retail behemoth. My advice? Stay up late on the day before Thanksgiving to check for online sales starting around midnight Eastern time on Wednesday, November 26.
Early Black Friday deals are available now, as they usually are during the weeks leading up to the event. But be aware that many retailers make their Black Friday ads available in early November, so it's a good idea to review them beforehand.
With nearly every retailer participating in some capacity, you're likely to find deals on just about everything. However, not all deals are created equal. Research is key to determining whether a deal is truly worth your time and money.
Consider the following tips when evaluating Black Friday deals:
* Always do your price research.
* Make a shopping list beforehand to avoid impulse buys that'll have you going over your budget.
* Price-checking tools like Camelcamelcamel, Keepa, and Honey can be valuable resources in helping you determine whether a deal is genuine.
* Be prepared to refresh the website at exactly the start time of a doorbuster deal to snag it before they sell out.
Cyber Monday and other shopping holidays throughout the year often offer similar deals. However, it's essential to remember that not all Black Friday deals are created equal, and some may be more enticing than others.
The bottom line is that there are deals on just about every sort of item you can think of. If you're diligent about scoring a sale, you can save money on the things you need and want to buy.