Somewhere between American Thanksgiving and Christmas come a couple of the most hectic days of the year. Yes, I’m talking about Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This year is certainly going to look different. As we all try to navigate a world where we must constantly be mindful of physical distancing and wearing masks, it means that we also have to adjust our expectations around our shopping experiences and re-evaluate how we choose to take advantage of the best sales from our favourite retailers. With the majority of shopping being done online these days, Black Friday and Cyber Monday may look a bit different but it can still bring great savings if you’re able to make a plan and prevent yourself from getting overwhelmed. I’m going to share my tips for how to set yourself up for success, survive both days, and hopefully get yourself some awesome items along the way.
Before you log on to find the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, you need to prepare yourself mentally for the madness ahead. It’s important to remember that all sales are intended to ensure that consumers spend more money than they intended. Companies do this in various ways but in the end, it’s done by making the deals as appealing as possible.
So, even though the deals may look spectacular and impossible to ignore, you’ll want to get specific on what you need before you even think of adding items to your cart. I’ve found that the most helpful way to do this is to write down a list of all the items you’re looking to buy, the retailers that provide them and then using that as your guide through the sales pages of your preferred retailers. This will help you stay on track and remain mindful when you see other deals that are just calling your name.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday Tips
Make a list of all the retailers that sell the items you’re looking for and the Black Friday Sales
If you’re looking for a specific product and you know that multiple retailers sell it, make yourself a list of each shop so that when the time comes, you can easily navigate the sites to find yourself the best deal. Doing your research in advance will ensure that you don’t overlook any of the options for that specific problem.
Download and Shop with the company’s app
Technology is our friend in this case because many retailers have created apps that streamline the online shopping experience by making it easier to navigate and pay for your orders. So go ahead and see if apps are available, this way it won’t matter where you are, as long as you have a wifi signal you’ll be able to participate in some of the biggest sales of the year. Some retailers are showing previews of their Black Friday sales on their apps!
Once you’ve downloaded the apps you’ll need, consider turning on the notifications for those different apps. This means that it’ll almost be impossible to miss the deals because the app will send notifications right to your phone. You’ll get the latest updates on the upcoming sales and won’t miss out on whatever it is you’re searching for.
Set up accounts for quick check out
If a retailer doesn’t provide an app for download, that’s okay, you’ll just need to navigate their website from another source, like your laptop. Regardless of if you’re using an app or a browser to purchase items, make sure that you set up accounts with the different companies to make your shopping experience that much quicker.
By creating an account (instead of checking out as a guest) you’ll be able to enter your email address, mailing address, and even add your credit card information in advance. Again, timing is key when it comes to Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping because if you’re not as quick as another customer, your items may be out of stock before you know it.
Sign up for the company’s email list
You may already know which retailers you’re going to check out first when Black Friday rolls around. If that’s the case, do yourself a favour and sign up to their email list so that you will receive email notifications for when the sales start. Not only will this help you prepare, but companies often send additional discounts or exclusive early access to sales. So, adding yourself to the company’s email list means that you’ll also receive notifications for other sales throughout the year, not just for Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Add items to your shopping cart in advance of the sale
If you’re anything like me, you like to be prepared in advance. If this is the case, I suggest looking through the company’s website for the items that are the most appealing to you. When you find an item that you know you’ll want to purchase over the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, go ahead and add it to your cart right away.
Sure, it may seem a little silly to have your items waiting in your cart before you’re even ready to click ‘buy’, but there’s a method to the madness. By having the items ready and picked out in advance, by the time the sales go live, you’ll be ahead of the game and purchasing your favourite items while other shoppers are still browsing.
Check and see if your favourite retailers have apps available for download. These days we’re all about convenience and making our lives as simple as possible. This often means that we don’t want to have to go through the hassle of sitting at our laptops all day to find the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.
Remember, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are all about finding the best deals and saving yourself money. But that doesn’t mean that the first website you come across will have the best price for the products you’re looking for. Be prepared to put in a little extra work and research so that you can make it all worth your while.
Here are some of my favorite retailers with Black Friday Sales and Discount Codes:
Modcloth 30% off Site Wide
Pat McGrath 25-30% off Site Wide
Rachel Zoe 20% off – PS20
Splendid 10% off – SAVE10
Urban Decay Cosmetics up to 50% off Site Wide
Need some inspiration? Check out my Wardrobe Essentials and Lemon’s Holiday Gift Guide