We’ve all heard horror stories about Black Friday, with shoppers going bargain mad once a year. With so many people after the same deals, we know it’s easy to get frustrated – whether you’re browsing online or in-store.
Looking for ways to come out on top? Then take a look at our Black Friday survival guide! Our team have put together their very own tips and tricks for Black Friday shopping, where being prepared is key. Read on to find out more.
Our Black Friday Survival Guide
To get the top deals, our best advice is to prepare so you know exactly what to look for on the day. If things go to plan, you’ll get just what you want at a bargain price.
Escape the madness in a flash with our preparation advice, and conquer the crowds on the day.
Ready, set…
1. Want or Need? Plan Your Budget
First things first, plan what you need to buy. Set aside spending money and priority buys for Black Friday, so you know when to stop. It’s not worth missing out on a dishwasher worth hundreds of pounds for the sake of a discounted plate set!
Although it sounds obvious, shoppers can get carried away. By planning your budget and list of items, you’ll have the motivation to focus only on the important deals that drop in your inbox. Remember: a bargain isn’t a bargain if it doesn’t meet your exact requirements.
Jason is a keen in-store shopper, and has a top spending tip:
“My top tip for in-store shopping is to withdraw your maximum budget in cash so you can’t overspend. Using credit cards can definitely tempt you into buying more than you should!”
2. Measure Up
If you’re looking for electricals and appliances, you’ll find some of the best discounts on Black Friday. However, the number of brands and models can make it all a bit confusing. It’s worth considering specifications beforehand so that you’ll know which product is best for you. Why not check out our buying guides to give you a helping hand?
We also recommend measuring spaces to make sure the item will fit. A new Smart TV won’t look so smart if it’s crammed into the only space your home allows. In case an item isn’t what you expected, you should also check the retailers’ return policy before buying.
3. Do Your Research & Save for Later
Check out retailers’ Black Friday pages for teasers of what you can expect. Take note of Black Friday sale start times and dates – and whether they are on in your local stores.
Abi suggests making a list of opening times to plan which shops, online or in-store, you should visit first. And, if you plan to shop online:
“Save the web page of the product you like and check for reductions in the upcoming week. It will save you from trawling through a slow-loading website on the day. You could even add an item to your virtual basket in advance.”
On top of bookmarking products, sign up for retailers’ reminders to find out exactly when the deals are live. You can also track their social media profiles for updates (e.g. searching #blackfriday), and set up mobile alerts for when they post. Or, your friends and family may have insights on deals that they’ve seen advertised. It’s worth discussing the event with them to see if they have any useful advice.
If you’re in the market for a deal on the day, simply wait for emails to drop in your inbox for first pickings. However, we highly recommend planning beforehand!
4. Prepare For Christmas
Prepare for Christmas early and avoid the festive stress. Think about gifts now and save yourself time and money for upcoming months.
Why not introduce the tech lover in your life to a futuristic home cinema system? Or, make life easier for the family cook with a brand new oven or microwave. Don’t forget portable speakers for your much-loved music fanatics!
You’ll find something for almost anyone with many retailers taking part in Black Friday. With wrapping paper and ribbons at the ready, there’s no better reason to shop while the prices drop.
And, why not make yourself a Black Friday playlist? Choose some calm, relaxing tracks to stop you burning out too quickly. You could even choose some festive tracks to get yourself into the Christmas spirit!
5. Get Ready to Go
If you know where you’re going to shop, register an account and sign in before the event. Also, add your payment details so you can speed through the checkout – creating an account takes time, and websites may load slowly with demand.
If you are extra keen to get a bargain, Kate has some techy tips for you:
“You can try to speed up your Wi-Fi by placing your router in an open space, uninterrupted by walls or objects. Also, boost your computer by uninstalling programs you don’t use through the control panel”.
…Go! (And Get a Bargain)
6. Start Early
The early bird catches the worm, just like the early shopper catches the best deal! Once you know what time the event starts, set an alarm and don’t snooze, as online shops are open at all hours and some stores open early.
With Black Friday becoming more and more popular in the UK, prepare for traffic and set off a few minutes early. Perhaps even pack a few snacks and some water too. Taking regular refreshment breaks will help keep that stress at bay.
If you are buying more than one item from a website, it may be worth buying the best deals quickly before they sell out. Black Friday isn’t the time to browse – get in there at lightning speed!
7. Shop Online
As long as you have an internet-connected device on your bedside, you don’t even need to get up! Mobiles are a popular choice: in previous years, IBM reported that they made up nearly half of Black Friday online sales in the UK. It’s no surprise, as you can check deals anywhere and compare prices across the web.
However, Heidi says that you need to be security conscious:
“You need to know and trust where you’re shopping. If you are shopping online and something looks too good to be true, it could well be. Protect your personal information by making sure you stay on trusted websites. Safe websites use safety certificates including a lock symbol and green highlighting in the address bar.”
8. Smarten Up
If you’ve planned ahead and know what you want, stick to your plan! Get what you need first and only be tempted to look for luxuries afterwards.
You might spot the perfect television for your brand spanking new pad and add it to your basket. But wait…you find a heavily reduced HD recorder too! You add the HD recorder after reading about it and…oh. The television sold out. You then remove the HD recorder as you need a TV to use it.
Don’t let this happen to you! It might be worth creating a checklist of things you need in order of priority so that you can navigate the store efficiently. You could also get a tech-savvy family member to help with tracking down the best deals.
Worried about what your partner or family might think of your shopping habits? Be armed with excuses! Just focus on how much money you’re saving, and this will be your final shop…until next year that is.
9. Be Patient
You should expect large queues in-store and high website traffic online, which can slow you down. Don’t cope well? Embrace the true Brit inside and don’t let anyone fault your queuing etiquette. Use that playlist we talked about earlier, escape into your headphones, focus on your breathing, and just concentrate on all those amazing deals!
Make sure you stretch regularly if you’re standing for a while, and you could even spark some interesting conversation with your queuing neighbours.
Preparation is essential, but some deals are worth waiting for – so try to stick it out! Dedication is the key to success, as they say.
But, Holly says there are a couple of things to bear in mind:
“If you do get the items you want, you’ll have to bear in mind slower dispatch and delivery times due to an influx of orders.”
10. No Time? No Worries
If you miss out on Black Friday, you’re not to panic! Cyber Monday means you can get the best deals from your computer, smartphone or tablet.
As deals are on all day, you’ll still have a chance to get in on the event if you’re working 9 to 5. Even better – items can be delivered to your door, so you can sit back and relax.
About Black Friday & Cyber Monday
What is Black Friday?
Black Friday is a yearly event in November where retailers offer huge discounts. It always falls the day after Thanksgiving in the US, unofficially marking the start of Christmas shopping.
Although the event has been dedicated to spending for decades, it only recently became popular in the UK. With £5.8bn spent between Black Friday and Cyber Monday in 2016, there’s no doubt that it is popular with savvy shoppers.
It causes a whirlwind every year, with the date marked on the calendar of every bargain hunter. As jaw-dropping discounts are guaranteed, the high street is pushed to bursting point.
What about Cyber Monday?
Online shoppers: Cyber Monday is the day for you! It started in 2005 to target online retailers, due to the rise in internet sales.
Cyber Monday falls on the Monday after Black Friday, giving you even more time to shop ‘til you drop.
It’s the obvious choice for those who’d prefer to find a bargain from the comfort of their own home, instead of battling the crowds. As the internet is open 24/7, you won’t be left out in the cold!
Euronics’ Black Friday Extravaganza
Feeling inspired by the tips above? Then why not come along to our 10-Day Black Friday event? If you’re shopping online, sign up for email alerts and be the first to hear about our best deals.
Euronics specialises in top branded electricals and appliances, so you can get quality for less. We’re offering a huge range of unbelievable discounts at our exclusive Black Friday sale – you’re sure to grab a bargain!
If you miss out on these incredible deals, don’t worry too much. Euronics has amazing deals all year long. We also offer free local delivery to UK mainland when you buy online and can even install appliances for you.
Euronics sell top quality branded appliances and electricals online and in-store. Find your nearest store today.
