How to beat the shopping rush of Black Friday

10 November 2020 | By Helen Wallace

If you're looking for a way to reward yourself for making it through a difficult year - and save money while doing so - then, it's time to circle 27 November 2020 in your calendars and make a note of these tips to help you make the most of your Black Friday shopping experience.

Whether you are shopping online or in-store, the Black Friday shopping rush can be overwhelming. Fortunately, there are ways to make shopping Black Friday a more streamlined and stress-free experience, with a little careful preparation before the big day. Here are four things you can do ahead of time for a successful Black Friday splurge.

Make a list

One of the biggest mistakes people make on Black Friday is going overboard when it comes to spending, buying things they don’t need simply because they are on sale. This is why making a list of the things you need - or desparately want - beforehand is a good idea. It helps you to see everything you covet at a glance, which lets you prioritise and hone in on stores that stock the items you’re after.

Register with your favourite online stores

For many people, the idea of facing the hoards in brick-and-mortar stores on Black Friday might seem terrifying. Thank goodness for e-commerce and online shopping allowing you to shop from most stores online. Signing up to your favourite stores and creating an account can also come with privileges, like early-access deals and news about Black Friday savings, giving you insider information and time to prepare.

Create a wish list

Many online stores allow their registered users to create a wish list, where they can save the items they’re eyeing for purchase at a later date. Browse the online stores you want to shop from on Black Friday and create a wish list of products you want to get at a discounted rate. Then, on the day itself, you can refer to your wish-listed products to see if anything is on special, rather than going through their entire catalogue and wasting valuable shopping time, and shopping items you don't actually need.

Set your alarm

As the old saying goes, the early bird gets the worm, and this couldn’t be more true when it comes to Black Friday deals. Whether you are going to be braving the crowds or shopping online, it’s a good idea to set your alarm and do your shopping as early as you can. While this might seem like torture, it can actually save you a fair amount of disappointment in the long run. Popular items tend to sell out quickly, so getting up bright and breezy can make your shopping experience a lot more rewarding.

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