It’s hard to believe that fall is already upon us again, which means it’s time to start thinking about your holiday shopping! And what better way to snag all the best deals than by shopping the Black Friday sales? This retail holiday gives shoppers massive discounts on appliances, vacuums, toys, electronics, and more from the biggest retailers. The average shopper saves 25% on their Black Friday purchases, although these discounts can often reach 70% to 80%! Who wouldn’t want to get their shopping done early AND save loads of money in doing so?
As shopping habits have begun to stabilize from pre-pandemic times, statisticians predict that, in 2023, Black Friday shopping will break spending records from the past six years. And the best part? Shoppers don’t have to brave the crowds on November 24th to shop the sales. In fact, some retailers have started rolling out their Black Friday deals as soon as October to give you a sneak peek and early access to great deals.
Not sure what to do on Black Friday? If you’re ready to level up your holiday shopping game by getting the best deals, beating the crowds, and securing everything on your shopping list, our Black Friday shopping guide has you covered. Below, we’ll get into our best Black Friday tips, including when and where to shop on Black Friday, how to find the best deals, and how to shop the holiday online.
Online Black Friday Shopping Tips
After the pandemic, fewer people are understandably less willing to venture out into a sea of people and fight other shoppers for discounted TVs. Fortunately, this isn’t necessary anymore, as Black Friday deals are no longer exclusive to in-store shopping. So, can you shop Black Friday online? Absolutely! Today, most retailers offer discounts online that are as good or better than the in-store sales. Here’s how you can enjoy the same savings on Black Friday from your living room couch without the stress of traffic or crowds.
Check for Free Shipping Minimums
Shipping costs can deter some people from shopping online, but don’t let this scare you away. When Black Friday season rolls around, some retailers provide free shipping for those who spend a certain amount. If your shopping list contains big-ticket items, you might hit the free shipping minimum without even trying, which makes shopping online a no-brainer.
Ship to an Amazon Locker or Post Office
Porch pirates are a sad reality around the holiday season. Even if you have a home security system installed, you still can’t count on people not to swipe your packages off the porch. But did you know you can have your purchases shipped to Amazon Lockers or your local post office? If your order comes from Amazon, you can use their conveniently located lockers at no extra cost and pick it up when you’re ready. To pick up from the post office, add the PO box on your shipping address in line 1 and leave line 2 blank.
Use a Price Comparison Site
It can be overwhelming trying to compare prices across every site on the web for every product you’re tracking. Thankfully, there are plenty of websites available today that can easily do this for you. Some include Google Shopping, Shopzilla, and PriceGrabber, which show you the prices of goods across multiple retailers simultaneously so you can quickly find the best deal. When it comes to knowing how to Black Friday shop effectively, this is one of the most important tips on our list!
Install Browser Extensions
If you want to rack up even more savings with online coupon codes that can even give you cashback, install an online shopping browser extension. They’re easy to add to your web browser in a few clicks, and when you check out on any retailer's website, the browser will test every available coupon code on the internet to ensure you get the very best price available. Some of them will even give you a certain percentage back on your purchase in cash! Some of the most popular browser extensions include:
- Honey
- Capital One Shopping
- Rakuten
- The Camelizer
Update Your Billing and Address for All Sites You Plan to Use
There’s nothing quite as frustrating as completing an online purchase only to realize you used the wrong card and overdrew your account, or your package was shipped to an old address, and it’s too late to cancel the order. Unless the current resident is willing to look you up and ship your items back to you, your package is probably someone else’s now.
In order to prevent these situations, it’s a good idea to make sure your billing information and address are up to date on every website or app you plan to shop on.
In-Store Black Friday Shopping Tips
If online shopping isn’t your thing and you’d rather see the products in person before checking out, we’re here to help you have the best in-store shopping experience possible. Here are some in-store Black Friday tips to ensure a stress-free trip!
Plan for the Crowds and Traffic
Not big on crowds or traffic? Make a plan in advance to go as early as possible to the stores you want to visit. If you find them to be too crowded or picked over, have a list of backup options in mind as well. Trying to decide the best time to go Black Friday shopping? You can also use Google Business Profiles to check the “Popular times” and identify which days and times are least busy for a particular store. Check Google Maps or Apple Maps before leaving your house to identify the clearest routes to avoid congested roads.
Consider Curbside Pickup
If you don’t want to shop online and wait for your items to be shipped, you can use the curbside pickup service that many retailers now offer to pick up your items from the store on the same day. Shop conveniently on the website or app, select an available pickup time, check out, and park in a pickup spot at the designated time. An employee will bring your purchase out to your car. Check in advance to see if your favorite stores offer this option.
Look for Lunch Deals
Some restaurants like to capitalize on the opportunity to feed hungry shoppers coming from nearby stores. If you happen to be shopping during mealtimes, keep an eye out for special offers from neighboring cafes and restaurants. Some stores also provide restaurant gift cards as part of their promotions. As an added bonus, you can even find some eateries that offer free meals or gift cards if you purchase a certain amount in gift cards for those on your Black Friday shopping list.
Review Last Year’s Trends
Before diving right into your holiday shopping, take a moment to review last year's trends. You can often find valuable insights into the types of deals and discounts that were prevalent in the previous year. This can help you anticipate what to expect and plan your purchases accordingly.
Make a Black Friday Shopping List
Once you enter a store, it’s easy to get sidetracked by everything you see and lose sight of what you came for. If you are prone to impulse purchases, make sure you make a detailed list of what you need from each store. That way, when you get there, you can stay focused on what you need and avoid wasting money on things you don’t.
Budget
Along with your Black Friday shopping list, set a budget so you don’t overextend your finances. Your shopping list, if well-thought-out, will help you stick to your budget. Shopping Black Friday sales will help you stretch your money as far as you can!
Shop With a Cashback App or Credit Card
Just like the browser extensions we talked about, you can get the best offers if you shop with a cashback app or a credit card that offers rewards for every dollar spent. Some favorite cashback apps include Ibotta, Rakuten, Swagbucks, and Fetch Rewards. Download these apps in advance in case the store’s Wi-Fi or cell signal is poor.
If you plan to use a credit card, conduct some research to see which ones you can qualify for that have the best rates and rewards. Do this well in advance so your card arrives in the mail in time for Black Friday shopping.
Get a Head Start
Some stores, like Walmart, may kick off their Black Friday sales early. If they do, don’t wait! Early birds tend to get some of the best deals. Other retailers, like Target, might offer price adjustments if you purchase an item that later goes on sale during Black Friday. Keep an eye out for these opportunities to save even more.
Hit Costco Early
Costco is known for its Black Friday deals, but they tend to go fast. If you're a Costco shopper, arrive at the store right as it opens to secure the best deals. Additionally, consider buying discounted gift cards in advance to maximize your savings at the warehouse.
Buy Discounted Gift Cards Now
During the holiday season, retailers will sometimes offer discounts off the face value of gift cards. Sam’s Club, for example, offered its members $200 off digital Disney gift cards for use at Disney’s resorts, cruise lines, and stores. Some stores also offer an in-store gift card if you purchase certain products. Amazon, Best Buy, Apple, Target, Walmart, and GameStop are some retailers that provide such promotions. For example, in 2022, Target offered a $50 gift card for customers who purchased the Xbox Series S between November 20th through Black Friday.
Use Store Apps
You can sometimes get additional discounts in some stores by using their apps, which occasionally have in-store-only offers. Make sure you’re sharing your location information with the app. You can also use apps like RetailMeNot, which will let you know all the in-store and online coupons a store is currently offering. Be sure to download the apps ahead of time for the stores you plan to visit and take a look at their deals so you can plan your purchases accordingly.
Participate in Loyalty Programs and Email Promotions
If you haven’t already, consider signing up for the rewards programs offered by your favorite stores. This may or may not involve applying for a credit card, so your credit will need to be in good shape. If you use Target’s RedCard, for instance, you’ll enjoy $40 off your next purchase once approved and will save 5% off each subsequent purchase. Stores like Kohl's also have free loyalty programs that help you save just by having an account. Kohl’s is a store that offers in-store cash rewards toward every dollar spent and 5% off each purchase. Their cardholders can save 7.5% on each purchase and enjoy access to exclusive monthly savings and more.
Signing up for email promotions is another great way to get immediately notified of upcoming and limited-time promotions. Be sure to get on these email lists well before Black Friday so you stay in the know.
Follow Brands on Social Media
Some stores have special offers that customers can only find out about through their Instagram or Facebook accounts. Stay in the loop with your favorite brands by giving them a follow so you’re the first to hear about these offers and the first to know about flash sales and Black Friday offers.
Check Return Policies
Knowing the store policies where you shop is crucial. If you end up needing to return or exchange something for a different size and didn’t read the return policy in advance, have removed the tags, or have waited past the refund period, you’ll have wasted money on a product that doesn’t work for you. It’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid buying something “just in case” with the intent to return it.
Check Price-Match Policies
Some well-known stores offer price-match policies, which means if you can show the cashier that another store has beat their price, they will honor it and give you the better price. This can be incredibly beneficial for your budget during the holiday season. Know which retailers honor price-matching and their specific terms. Some stores that are known to price match include:
- Best Buy
- Kohl’s
- Walmart
- Target
- Dick’s Sporting Goods
- JCPenney
- Nordstrom
- GameStop
- Ulta Beauty
Coupon Policy on Black Friday
It’s a good idea to know which retailers accept coupons on Black Friday. You can get additional savings on already-steep discounts at the stores that do. Coupon stacking is accepted at these well-known retailers and others on Black Friday:
- Bath & Body Works
- The Home Depot
- Walgreens, CVS & Rite Aid
- Kohl’s
- Dick’s Sporting Goods
- Ulta Beauty
Buy Any Size
If your preferred size is out of stock for an item you want, consider buying a different size and exchanging it later. This strategy ensures you secure the deal without missing out. But again, be sure to know the return and exchange policy beforehand!
Start Early in the Morning
Black Friday shopping is a race against time, and the early bird often gets the best deals. Set your alarm and head out early to beat the crowds and secure the most coveted items. Doing so also ensures you can find the right colors, sizes, and dimensions of the products you need instead of facing empty or heavily rummaged displays.
Buy Extra When You See a Good Deal
Great deals tend to come and go in a flash. So, if you find a sale on something you use often or need for multiple people, grab a few more so you’re stocked up and can maximize your savings.
Don’t Forget to Send Mail-in Rebates
Some products come with mail-in rebates that can provide additional savings. For example, Kohl’s offered a mail-in rebate worth $10 for those who purchase a Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 6100 toothbrush and send the rebate form by September 24, 2023. Don't forget to send in the required documentation to claim these rebates.
Shop in Unlikely Places
When deciding where to go Black Friday shopping, drugstores and home improvement stores probably aren’t the first places that come to mind, but don’t overlook them! These unlikely places frequently have surprising deals on items that are worth checking out. For example, if you’ve been dying to get that new smart fridge your spouse wants, Home Depot can offer you hundreds of dollars off and free delivery during Black Friday sales. If it’s smaller-ticket items you’re after, CVS Black Friday specials can help you score extra savings on health products, children’s books, beauty supplies, and more.
Black Friday After Friday
Black Friday sales don’t always end right after November 24th. So, if you couldn’t find all the items on your list by the actual holiday, find out which stores extend their sales for an extra week or more so you can go back and find what was out of stock. This is also a great way to avoid the crowds and give the stores time to replenish their inventory. Cyber Monday is also becoming as big a deal as Black Friday, so don’t miss out on all the online deals that day!
Tips for Buying Big-Ticket Items
The tips we’ve discussed above also apply to big-ticket items, but here are some additional tips for Black Friday to help you stretch your money on those pricier items.
Buy on Black Friday
We’ve mentioned that you don’t need to shop on Black Friday proper to take advantage of the deals, but with bigger-ticket items, you’ll usually find the best of the best deals on this day. Items like TVs, PCs, laptops, and appliances are heavily discounted on November 24th, making it an opportune moment to upgrade your electronics or household appliances.
Know How to Shop for Derivative Models
Those who truly know how to shop on Black Friday understand the value of derivative models. A derivative product is a unique model of an existing popular product pushed to the market for a limited time and only for Black Friday. Manufacturers like to do this to give a new model number to an existing product or make changes to a current model in order to reduce the price. These models may have minor differences but can still offer exceptional value. For example, a TV may be made with one less HDMI port or have lower-quality components to reach that reduced price.
To identify derivative models, search for the model number. If your search only turns up Black Friday ads for the product and it doesn’t have reviews, you’ve found one. Just make sure you know what exactly has changed with the derivative model so you can decide whether or not it’s a good deal.
Don’t Fall for the Lowest Price on Just Anything
On Black Friday, everyone is looking for the lowest prices. Yes, there are amazing deals, but some retailers offer prices too good to be true if they’re trying to get rid of an older model or a lower-quality product. Make sure you read reviews, specifications, and product descriptions to make sure you get what you were looking for.
Ready, Set, Save!
Now that you know how to find the best Black Friday deals, this year promises to be a shopping extravaganza like no other. With these comprehensive Black Friday shopping tips, you'll be well-prepared to make the most of this annual event, whether you choose to shop online or in-store. Remember to plan ahead, set a budget, and stay informed about store policies to ensure a successful and money-saving Black Friday shopping experience. Happy shopping!
