How to bag the best deals this Black Friday

Black Friday is one of the biggest shopping events of the year, so it’s easy to feel the pressure to grab every “bargain” you see. But not every deal is as good as it looks, and buying at the wrong time can mean missing out on the best offers.

However, with a little planning and a little research, you can make sure you’re getting real savings and stretching your cash further.

When to shop for the best deals

Black Friday isn’t just one day anymore. Many shops start their sales early, sometimes a week or more before the big day. So, if you wait until Friday itself, you might miss out on some of the best offers.

thinkmoney's resident consumer expert Vix Leyton said: “Black Friday’s turned into a week-long endurance event. Some deals drop early, some peak on Cyber Monday. Tech tends to be cheaper at the end, fashion and beauty at the start. If you can hold your nerve for a few days, you might see an even better price. Just don’t blink too long and miss it completely if you have things in mind.”

It’s also worth joining mailing lists and downloading store apps. Many shops give early access to subscribers, so you can grab deals before they sell out. Others send special voucher codes to new subscribers that can give you an even better deal.

Planning ahead means less stress and more chance of getting what you really want at a great price.

How to compare the best deals

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of Black Friday, but not every deal is a real bargain. Before you click “buy,” take a few minutes to compare prices and check if you’re actually saving money.

Price comparison tools are your friend when it comes to making sure you’re getting the best offer out there. Google Shopping, Price Spy and Idealo can show you prices from different retailers in seconds. If you’re set on a particular retailer, ask if they'll price match if you find a lower offer somewhere else.

It’s also worth checking what you get for the price. Some retailers offer features like extended warranty and longer returns windows which can make a higher price worth it even without the price match on offer.

How to get the most out of your Black Friday shopping

If you’re going to splurge this Black Friday, you might as well make the most of it. Cashback sites and loyalty cards, along with discount gift cards are a great starting point.

Vix says: “If you’re going to spend, make the system work for you. Use every loyalty scheme going – Nectar, Tesco Clubcard, Boots Advantage, Superdrug Health & Beautycard – because alongside the loyalty prices, those points can stretch surprisingly far, especially around Christmas when they often run double-up or bonus events.”

There are other ways to stack up savings too. Cashback sites like TopCashback and Quidco can make it easy to get some money back on your spend. And if you have a thinkmoney SmartPlus account, you could save up to 30% across hundreds of retailers when you shop with PlusSave.