Cyber Monday vs Black Friday
By this time of year, it's likely that your email inbox has been inundated with more deals, offers and discounts than you would ever have time to take advantage of.
Christmas is on the way and so is Black Friday, but that's not all, 'Cyber Monday' is another bargain frenzy that is worth keeping an eye on.
While Black Friday takes place on the Friday after Thanksgiving in the US (27 November), Cyber Monday happens on the following Monday (30 November).
Cyber Monday
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There are some major advantages to making the most of Cyber Monday sales. As the name suggests, Cyber Monday is entirely conducted online. This means that, unlike Black Friday, you won't have to battle your way through hoards of people to be in with a slight chance of getting your hands on something you're not even sure you want!
Instead, on Cyber Monday, all you have to do is make sure the internet's working and find yourself a comfy spot to sit in while you survey all the bargains on offer.
The best way to take advantage is to make a note of what it is that you want to buy and find out which shops will be offering Cyber Monday sales, this way you'll save yourself a lot of time and stress when it comes to tracking them down on the day.
According to the Standard, the following shops are all likely to take part in this year's Cyber Monday bargain bonanza: Amazon, John Lewis, Argos, Asda, Debenhams and Tesco.
Black Friday
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That doesn't mean the attractions of Black Friday should be overlooked though. There are likely to be bigger savings on big ticket items, and while most of the 'doorbusters' will only be available in store, there will be bargains online too.
Again preparation is definitely key if you want to be sure you get your hands on what you want. Check exactly where your items will be on sale, and what time the shops will be opening. Get there early, and consider stores that aren't right in the city centre to be in with a chance of avoiding crowds.
Luckily, plenty of retailers have caught on to the stress of pushing and barging through the crowds and are offering online sales that rival Cyber Monday. Find out more about the best Black Friday deals and how to get the best deal on Black Friday here.
