Top Black Friday Tips: How to Get the Best Deals This Shopping Season

Above all, consumers looking to make the most of Cyber Weekend need to go in with an idea of what they need, rather than purely browsing, and should still shop around. Ultimately, it's only a deal if you need it, so it's worth starting your wish lists now to easily track what's been discounted when the day rolls around.

Black Friday deals start earlier and earlier as retailers work to outpace their competitors. With significantly smaller budgets to go around, they will be pushing their margins to the limit to secure your spending.

Don't be bamboozled by big flashing money-off signs and deep discounts; sometimes, all is not as it appears. Just like year-round sofa sales, there are tricks to make deals look more compelling than they are, so having a sense of what things normally cost will keep you on track.

There are still huge savings to be made, and you might be surprised by where you find them. Look outside of electronics and you could score great deals on everything from mobile phone contracts to flights. These Black Friday tips can help you shop smarter and save more.

A shopping centre during the festive season (Image:Unsplash)

1. Sign Up and Save

With deals starting at varying times throughout the month for Black Friday, shoppers should sign up for newsletters from their favorite retailers to gain early access to discounts and VIP slots. You can even sign up for a 30-day Amazon Prime Free Trial to access their early discounts but remember to cancel if you don’t want to continue. This simple tip can help you snag the best deals before they sell out.

2. Make Smart Decisions

Regardless of whether it’s Black Friday or not, always check an item's value for money. Review the price history of a product and compare RRPs to ensure you're getting a true bargain. As seasoned Black Friday shoppers know, some unwanted stock gets pushed during the sales event, so be wary of exaggerated discounts that may not be worth your money.

3. Stack Discounts

Check for discount codes to add on top of existing deals for extra savings, such as free delivery or additional gifts. Look for ‘deal extras’ on items that retailers are price-matching. For example, brands like AO, John Lewis, Currys, and Argos may price-match, but you can decide where to buy based on extras like extended warranties, free delivery, or bundled perks such as music and TV subscriptions.

4. Keep Payment Details Updated

With lots of people looking for deals and items going out of stock quickly, add products you plan to buy to your online basket in advance to grab them ASAP. To speed up the checkout process, ensure your saved payment details and delivery address are up-to-date.

5. Get on the Apps

Apps like HotUKDeals enable users to set keyword alerts, such as Xbox, fashion, TV, or LEGO, to receive instant notifications for new deals. Some deals expire quickly, so users can access offers as soon as they are posted by the deal-sharing community. This tip helps you navigate the flood of offers and stay focused.

These Black Friday tips will prepare you to make the most of the sales while ensuring you score genuine savings on the items you truly want.