Hold onto your hat – it’s about to get crazy out there. Black Friday and Cyber Monday, two of the biggest sales events of the year, are now upon us and the sales are popping up everywhere. Grab them, grab them while they’re hot!
There are certain types of products that are worth going after with all your might, whereas others can wait – for now. When you’re shopping on Black Friday, you want to laser in on the holy trinity that is:
1. Electronics
2. Appliances
3. Homeware
Why? Because this is where you’re going to get the best deals. Certain things must go to make way for their successors – and you could be the owner of those certain things for a tiny fraction of the price! Really folks, sales don’t get much more exciting than this.
As the Christmas season descends with the force of a thousand festive blizzards, here’s where you should be spending your money this Black Friday.
HD TVs
Of course. We’re all familiar with the image of determined Black Friday shoppers jostling through the crowds with great wide boxes. Black Friday 2016 will yield huge discounts on HD TVs, knocking possibly hundreds off the original retail price.
Your best bet is to aim for something in the mid-range, as it’s unlikely that the crème de la crème will see significant price cuts. Next year, maybe. Remember, TVs are one of the most popular targets for shoppers on Black Friday, so get in and get out early.
Tablets and e-readers
You probably know at least one relative who wants a tablet or e-reader for Christmas. They make great gifts, so this is the perfect time to buy one. To get the most bang for your buck, the same rule applies across almost all electronics – go for last year’s model. They’re still really good, and they’re drastically cheaper.
Popular tablets to go for include the Microsoft Surface 2 and the latest-but-one incarnation of the iPad. If you’re after an e-reader rather than a tablet, look at Kindle, Nook and Kobo. Cyber Monday is also a great time to find deals on e-readers, so don’t fret if you miss the boat on Friday.
Laptops
If you’re in the market for a laptop, congratulations! This is the time to get one – unless you are looking for something absurdly powerful from which to launch your plan for world domination. Mid-range laptops, which are perfect for the majority of users, are about to plummet in price.
Don’t go crazy just because it’s Black Friday – think about what you actually need. It’s a good idea to do some research beforehand and dive in with some models in mind. Good quality laptop brands include Apple, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Acer, Sony and Samsung.
Games consoles – Xbox One and PS4
Looking to buy your first games console, or perhaps make an upgrade? Then trust me my friend, this is the time to do it. Last year saw several stores selling the PS4 at a big discount with games included, with games themselves often selling for around half their original retail value. Black Friday is a joyous event for gamers.
DVDs and Blu-rays
If your film collection is looking a bit slim, this is the perfect opportunity to bulk it out, because many entertainment stores will be selling their DVDs and Blu-rays in discounted bundles. Since the advent of services like Netflix and Amazon Prime, many of us do not buy hard copies of films anymore, but it’s always nice to own some of the classics for real.
Cameras
Black Friday is the perfect time to shop for digital cameras, DSLR cameras and camera accessories such as lenses, bags, straps and SD cards. You will find great reductions at stores like Argos and Currys, so take some time to browse the best offers.
Smartphones
Look in the right places and you will come across jaw dropping deals on the last range of smartphones to enter the market, such as the HTC One, LG G3 or Samsung Galaxy Avant. Be sure to check the contract (it is likely you will have to sign up for one) for any hidden costs to check you are actually getting a good deal.
Cookware
Decent cookware can cost you a pretty penny these days, especially if you’re after a whole set. This makes Black Friday a particularly good time to seek out those delicious discounts. Whether you’re after pots, pans, knives, utensils or roasting tins, this is your opportunity to buy them for a significantly reduced price.
Small appliances
Toasters, blenders, microwaves, kettles, slow cookers, coffee makers, handheld hoovers – you name it, you can find it discounted on Black Friday. It’s worth shopping around to get the most competitive deals, but the savings to be had are well worth it. Now is the time to start smoothie making!
Vacuum cleaners
If your vacuum cleaner is looking a bit old and tired, then now might be a good time to replace it, as Black Friday discounts can bring the price of a good vacuum cleaner plummeting down. It is common for old vacuum cleaners to stop performing as well after a few years of use, so buying a new one while the price is right can be a good investment. Try stores like Dyson, Argos and Currys.
High-end clothing
It’s a bit of a strange one mixed in with all these lovely electronics, but surprisingly you can get some very nice discounts indeed on luxury and designer clothing around Black Friday. Very, Debenhams, House of Fraser and Next are all bringing their prices down, so now is a great time to kit out your wardrobe or buy something nice for a loved one.
Toys
With Christmas round the corner, stocking up on discounted toys now is a great idea if you have children to buy for. Just make sure they don’t have them already! Shop around for the best deals at Argos, Amazon and Toys R Us.
Best of luck with your Black Friday shopping, and may you find many wonderful deals! Remember that while you may not get the tip-top of the range items at discounted prices, you will certainly do very well with last year’s range, which can often be just as good. Enjoy!
