How to make the most out of your Black Friday splurge »

How to make the most out of your Black Friday splurge

There’s no doubt about it: Black Friday fever has well and truly taken over the nation, surpassing even the frenzied rush of the Boxing Day sales. For many, it’s the perfect opportunity to stock up on Christmas gifts, while for others it’s a chance to grab that swanky new feature piece or shiny appliance. Whether you’re planning to brave the crowds in person or fill your online shopping cart, these tips will help you nab the best bargains and make the most of Black Friday.

Go in with a plan

We’ve all been guilty of impulse spending at times, and retail sale events are fertile ground for snap decisions. But is it really such a steal if you didn’t need it in the first place? To get the most bang for your buck, know what your budget is and have an idea of what you’re looking for ahead of time. If Black Friday is when you get the bulk of your Christmas shopping done, make a list of everyone you’re buying for and jot down some ideas of what each person might like. Been hanging out to buy a big ticket item on special? Get ahead of the game by looking up things like brands, models and typical price tags so you can recognise a great deal when you see one.

Research, research, research!

The allure of so many sale tags can sweep the unprepared bargain hunter off their feet, leaving them at risk of shopper’s regret after the excitement has worn off. It may seem tedious compared to the fun of snatching up discounts, but taking the time to research thoroughly before the sales hit can ultimately save a lot of time, money and stress.

The early bird gets the bargains

You can plot your shopping itinerary in advance and get in before the crowds by being data savvy. Most retailers will be gearing up for the year’s biggest shopping event with ads across their websites, socials and email newsletters, so take note of which markdowns match your wishlist in advance. Some shops even have a ‘pre-sale’ sale, so keeping on top of the marketing can help you get in early.

Genuine deal or sneaky rip-off?

There’s nothing worse than snapping up what looks like an awesome discount, only to realise later that the markdown was actually miniscule. Even worse, unboxing your new item – or watching a gift recipient open it up – to find it’s as cheap in quality as it was in price. Before the sales start, get a feel for the regular price of the products you’re eyeing off. If there are a few brands or models available at different price points, head to some quality review sites to see what others have said about them.

Safety first

Many parents take advantage of Black Friday sales to splash out on baby and children’s goods, including big ticket items like cots, prams, swings and play equipment. It’s especially important when buying for little ones to research the safety of the product first and check that it meets any relevant Australian safety standards.

Tips for online shopping

Surfing for sales on the internet has its perks – like not suffering a Black Friday black eye in a throng of enthusiastic shoppers – but there are some caveats. Below are some helpful hints to ensure your online shopping experience has a happy ending, and doesn’t lead you down the path of regret.

When adding items to your cart, check that the website you’re on is showing Australian dollars, or use an online currency converter to ensure you don’t get a shock at the checkout.
Be aware that international (and even domestic) shipping rates can become staggeringly high, to the point of negating any savings you may have made from an item being on sale. Look out for the shipping costs before committing to a purchase.
Shipping times across Australia have been affected by the pandemic, meaning that some items ordered during the Black Friday sales may not arrive in time for Christmas. Where possible, try to get an estimated shipping date before purchase, and be prepared for the possibility of disappointment if your goods don’t make it time to be put under the Christmas tree.
It’s all too easy for scam artists to put up a convincing website, so make sure you’re on a legitimate retail site before parting with your hard-earned cash. The website url should have https at the beginning, along with a small lock symbol. If you’re unsure about the credibility of a site, look for reviews on a dedicated review site, and run it through a search engine to see what information you can find about it. Always remember that if a bargain seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Are you ready to start shopping?