Although a relatively new phenomenon to South Africa, Black Friday has well and truly placed itself of the calendars of those whose favourite pastime is a combination of the act of shopping, coupled with the euphoria of feeling that you’ve snagged a bargain buy.
This Friday, November 27, is Black Friday, and you’ll already have seen the ads doing the rounds on social media promising you slashed prices and best deals. Now if you’re hoping the make it to the other side of Black Friday this year without blowing the budget, then we’ve got all the tips you need to successfully make the best of the day., courtesy of The Star:
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- Set goals: Before you leave the house, have a clear understanding of what it is you are looking for. Failing to plan is planning to fail, they say, and never has that been more true than on Black Friday. Bear in mind, or better yet, write a list, of what it is you are hoping to buy, what your maximum spend is on the products, and, most importantly: STICK TO IT!
- Take cash: Shopping with cash and leaving your credit and debit cards at home is the ideal way to limit your outlay and to avoid being sucked into the consumer trap of impulse buying, The Star gives a handy tip: Fasten a piece of paper around your credit card with your budget on it and subtract each time you make a purchase.
- Coupon where you can: If you’re shopping online, consider searching before you purchase for other savings that can be included when you check out, like discount gift cards and online coupons.
- Read the fine print. You may be tempted to grab an item because it seems like a good deal, thinking that should you wish to, you can simply return it later. Not necessarily! Although return policies generally don’t change for Black Friday, some retailers have been known to charge ‘restocking fees’, especially for electronics. So make sure you know the shop’s return policy before committing by looking on its website or check signage at the customer service desk.
And last, but not least:
- Don’t shop! If you’re really looking for one guaranteed way to save your rands, avoid shopping on Black Friday altogether!
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