Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which fall on November 24th and 27th respectively this year, are historically the biggest shopping days in the United States.
Brands and retailers offer enticing discounts on a wide variety of items such as tech gadgets, kitchen appliances, home goods, fitness equipment, and more.
As shoppers get ready to save some serious cash during this sale season, it’s essential to know what items are really worth buying on these days.
Here’s your guide to finding those great deals alongside avoiding common pitfalls.
Items with the best discounts on Black Friday
There are certain product categories that typically see significant markdowns leading to outstanding deals. Here are some of the best items to look out for:
Tech Gadgets:
One of the most sought-after categories during Black Friday sales is consumer electronics.
Expect deep discounts on high-end laptops, TVs, gaming consoles, smartphones, cameras, and other tech devices from popular brands like Apple, Samsung, Sony, and Microsoft.
Kitchen Appliances:
Whether you’re looking to upgrade your kitchen setup or need a thoughtful gift for the holiday season, expect bargain prices on small appliances like stand mixers, slow cookers, air fryers, blenders, and more.
Home Goods:
Beautify your home without breaking the bank by taking advantage of discounted prices on bedding, bath products, furniture, and décor items.
Fitness Equipment:
Stay fit or start working towards new fitness goals by purchasing affordable gym equipment such as treadmills, elliptical trainers, exercise bikes, rowers, and weights offered at rock-bottom prices.
Toys:
Black Friday is an excellent time to buy toys, especially big ticket items like LEGO sets, as multiple retailers often provide price cuts of 30% or more on a wide range.
How to get the best deals during Black Friday & Cyber Monday sales
In order to make the most out of the shopping extravaganza and avoid buyer’s remorse, follow these tips:
- Research Early: Start your research at least a month before the actual event. This can help you organize your budget by knowing which retailers offer the best deals and discounts well in advance.
- Create a Shopping List and Set a Budget: Based on your research, create a list of specific items you want to purchase during the sales to prevent impulse buys.
- Be Flexible with Brands: Don’t be fixated on specific brands. You might find better deals on similar products from other reputable brands during the sale season.
- Shop Online and In Stores: Both online stores and brick-and-mortar locations offer lucrative discounts during Black November. To score the best bargains, keep an eye on both platforms and compare prices for your desired items. Remember that some brick-and-mortar store deals may be exclusive to their physical location while others are accessible on their websites.
- Use Price Comparison Tools: Take advantage of tools that make it easy to compare prices across different retailers. Websites like Google Shopping, ShopSavvy, and Honey can assist you in finding the best prices available.
Items to avoid buying on Black Friday
While many categories do see attractive deals, there are certain items you might want to skip during Black Friday. These include:
- Clothing and Accessories: Although some retailers offer discounts on clothing and accessories during Black Friday sales, the deals are usually not as lucrative as those offered during end-of-season sale events.
- Travel Deals and Gift Cards: During the holiday season, travel deals and gift cards may seem tempting; however, better discounts can often be found in January or even later into the new year.
- Grocery Items: Grocery stores tend not to offer significant discounts during this time of year; therefore, it is generally not an ideal time for stocking up.
In conclusion, with proper planning and research, savvy shoppers can score amazing deals on various products during Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.
Don’t forget to stick to your shopping list, compare prices across multiple retailers, and keep an eye out for valuable opportunities both online and in-store to make sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck!
