Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the two busiest shopping days of the year - with many people bagging some bargains as part of their Christmas shopping!
However, it can be hard to get the deals you want due to demand. Whether you shop in person or online, it's always a good idea to do some research before you buy!
A good port of call is Trustpilot, which allows customers to review websites and businesses they have ordered from. The reviews are independent and cover everything from the quality of the product to the company's customer service.
Read more: Beauty fans can get Dyson Supersonic for half price in Black Friday deal - it’s only €180
Timing is everything
The peak time for online shopping on Black Friday is 10am, according to Sale Cycle, while 8pm is the busiest time on Cyber Monday.
It’s worth logging on before these times to ensure stock doesn’t run out! For those who prefer the in person shopping experience, Google location data suggests that foot traffic peaks between 2pm and 4pm, so avoid these times if you want to steer clear of crowds.
Be prepared
If you are in the market for a certain product, or love a certain brand but can’t justify paying full price, make sure you are following them on social media and are signed up to their mailing list.
Stores often give subscribers an insight into their sales before the day itself. It is also worth setting up an account as you will have a faster checkout experience.
Save your card details so you get through the buying process before in-demand items sell out! For security reasons, it can be beneficial to use Revolut's one time card specifically designed for online shopping.
The card only works once and is subsequently digitally shredded, meaning hackers won't be able to use that card if they do somehow get the details.
However, a lot of online merchants have stopped accepting one time cards - so just double check before closing off the tab that the transaction actually went through!
Don't forget the shops
If you can’t find what you want online, in-person shops may still have stock left after their online counterparts run out.
For big ticket items like beds, couches, furniture and electrical appliances, it’s worth visiting the bricks and mortar store to ensure the products are as described and will fit in your home.
Don't be tricked
Make sure you are actually getting the best value deal for the product, and the ‘original price’ hasn’t been artificially inflated to make the ‘sale price’ look better. Do your research by noting the cost of the item you want well in advance of the sales starting.
Avoid mindless spending
It is easy to get swept away by the fantastic deals on offer, but don’t just buy something because it is on sale. It can be helpful to make a list of items you want or need before you log onto the sales, to ensure you aren’t buying for the sake of it.
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