Need some handy tips for Black Friday?

As Friday approaches, more and more Black Friday deals are being talked about, advertised and spread all over social media. If it is done right, there is an opportunity to grab some great deals on offer. However, if it is done wrong, it can quickly become a headache-inducing day of stress and rushing around online and offline shops.

Whatever it is you are hoping to pick up, from a tablet to a new television set – there are smart ways of tackling the madness using apps, sites and tools right under your nose:


1. Prepare yourself

Preparation is everything, so it’s a good idea to create a list of what you are looking for before the shopping craze begins. You don’t have to stick to it, because we all have those compulsive purchases, but it helps save you running out of ideas. There are also many apps such as OneNote, Apple’s Notes and Evernote that allow you to embed web links to the gadgets in question.


2. Scour your spam folder

There is a popular habit between many of us, and that is ignoring all those promotional emails pushed out by Amazon, House of Fraser, Curry’s and everyone else during the course of the year. However, on Black Friday they can actually be of some use, so it is advisable to check your spam folder or go through your inbox to find the best offers on the relevant websites.


3. Do your shopping in the morning

Getting yourself out to the shops at the earliest opportunity is highly recommended if you want to bag the best deals. From data collected by Google, the high street is busiest between 2pm and 4pm on Black Friday, meaning you can avoid all of the rush by hitting the shops earlier than everyone else.


4. Stay online even while you're offline

If you are planning on braving Black Friday shopping on the actual high street, then remember to take your smartphone with you. Smartphones can pretty much do everything now, so whilst you are looking at that television set in Argos, compare the price online to other retailers to see if you can get it cheaper anywhere else, then you can simply buy it through your mobile.


5. Use your web browser to save time

Many of us already store our site passwords and credit card details on our web browser, but if this is something you don’t do, now might be a good time to start. It saves you a great deal of time and hassle of remembering details at every site you visit, meaning you could easily miss out on a deal at the last minute. Check your browser's help section for details of how to get started.


6. Get clever with your bookmarking

Bookmarking is a very handy tool to have on your web browser as you can save links to certain categories on certain sites in advance. You can even bookmark specific products for an easy comparison to other products. When the sales begin, this should make jumping between deals in separate tabs that much quicker.


7. Be social media savvy

It is unusual for popular stores to not have social media sites these days, and most of them will use sites such as Facebook and Twitter to post their best deals in a bid to pull in more followers. Sometimes they won’t even post these deals to their websites, so make sure you’re following your favourite stores in advance on Black Friday and you’ll soon receive endless posts and updates on the deals.


8. Stock up on vouchers

Vouchers are very handy when trying to bag the best prices for your product, so why not use them for Black Friday? There are plenty of sites that will provide vouchers, however remember to read the small print to check if the vouchers will run during Black Friday, amidst all the other discounts going on.


9. Get emailed (or scanned) receipts

If you believe you will be returning some purchased products after Black Friday ends, then remember to get confirmation. Store your paper receipts in a safe place, and if you are shopping online remember to save the email. These receipts should include links to the terms and conditions and the returns policies too.


10. Stay safe out there

Wherever the crowds go, the scammers usually follow, so common sense rules will apply! Run a computer update on security, making sure you have the latest protection. Be wary of clicking on links that look suspicious, especially if you receive them through emails. One thing to look for when browsing online is the green padlock in your browsers address, which means the site you are on is safe. Plus, don’t enter any card details without safety confirmation.


Happy shopping!

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