Get the best deals on Black Friday

Updated



Black Friday hits on November 27th, but if the morning of the 27th is the first time you think about it, then you're not going to get the best deals. Whether you end up missing the biggest bargains or buying something that turns out to be a horrible mistake, you'll kick yourself for not getting organised and building the ideal Black Friday strategy with our seven steps.

1. Create a wish-list
Waiting to see what is on offer is a terrible idea. You need to start with a shopping list. If you're going to be sure of a good deal, this needs to be detailed - down to the exact make and model, size and colour, title and format.

You should also prepare a fall-back item or two (or three) and do just as much research on those items, so you are prepared if a store runs out of stock.%VIRTUAL-ArticleSidebar-black-friday%

2. Do your research in advance
Check online for the best possible price you can get on every item on your list. This should be the most you are willing to pay. You should also make a note of all the retailers offering a fairly competitive price for each item, so you know where your search should start.

3. Keep your eyes peeled
Try to find out as much as you can in advance. We have a list of the best deals we've tracked down, so stay up to date with that list. When stores release their adverts, check through for the deals on offer - even if it's not a store you would usually shop at.

If you have a particular favourite shop, make sure you check their website and social media feeds regularly, as increasingly this is where they will release details of their sales.

4. Start early
A number of companies are planning to launch deals for the whole week leading up to Black Friday. Others have tried to get a head-start by launching pre-Black Friday offers. It's well worth checking these deals, because they may be good enough bargains to be worth snapping up well before Black Friday hits.

5. Decide whether to go online or hit the high street
If you are very keen on one item, you might want to join the scrum for a doorbuster. In that case, make sure you know when the store opens, and get there well in advance. Weigh up how long you are prepared to queue for against how keen you are for a discount on a particular item. It also makes sense to ask in store where the deals will be - are they in their usual departments or in a specific spot near the front of the store?

While you are queuing, don't forget to keep checking your phone for good discounts you can snap up online.

If you're after less dramatic discounts on a wider range of things (and items from more than one store), it's going to be a far less painful experience from the comfort of your sofa. Prioritise all your items. The best deals will go fast, so list them in the order you are going to hunt them down. And be prepared for the possibility that items will run out or websites will be overwhelmed, and have an alternative place to go for your shopping. These things do tend to happen on Black Friday.

6. Don't buy on impulse
This is where the vast majority of disasters strike: people have done all their research, then see a juicer with an 80% discount and buy it. It's only when they get home that they realise they could have bought it elsewhere for less - and in any case, nobody wants it. If it's not on your list, don't buy it.

7. Take care
If things get too busy or stressful, just stop shopping and go home. No bargain is worth risking injury for.



5 Ways to Save More on Black Friday
5 Ways to Save More on Black Friday

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