Black Friday is right around the corner! The most wonderful time of the year means running to store openings, elbowing people in the face and passively aggressively ramming your cart in someone’s kneecap so they can move faster at the cash. Isn’t it amazing? All this to save 12% off something you probably don’t need anyway! Fun times right?
For most of us geeks, the most fun to be had is not during Black Friday, but during Cyber Monday, comforted by the gentle glow of our computer screen. So to help you along your quest, I’ve compiled a few helpful tips and tricks to make online shopping easier and who knows, maybe save you a few more bucks that you thought!
Make a List, check it twice
Before starting your adventure, there’s a few things we need to take care of. First, knowing in advance what you are looking for is a given. But don’t just have a general idea, actually write down what you are looking for. Don’t just write something vague, take note of the actual model and part number of the item you are looking for. Also, try not to go overboard with the list and restrict yourself to what you really need.
Check prices beforehand
Over the years, I’ve noticed a lot of retailers use Black Friday/Cyber Monday as a way to promote prices that aren’t amazing. People will assume that it’s a crazy deal because heck! It’s Cyber Monday, it HAS to be a good deal! That’s not always the case. So, roll a natural 20 on your intelligence check, and with the list you made earlier, write down the current price of the item you want before Cyber Monday. This way, it will be easier for you to judge if it’s actually a good deal or not.
Knowing (where to look) is half the battle
Knowing where to look for the deals you want is just as important as knowing what you want to get. There are many websites out there and depending on what you are looking for, many ways to get the best bang for your buck. That’s why I recommend using price comparing websites to help you in your quest to find the best rebate. Personally, I use www.shopbot.ca and www.pricebat.ca, but there are many more out there. After that, write a +1 to your internet searching skill. You deserve it!
Take a chill pill bro
Special shopping days like Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Boxing Day are not the end all of good prices. I find that if I wait only a few weeks after the holiday craze, I can get the items I want for just as cheap and sometimes even cheaper. Because let’s face it, retailers have sales all year long and that’s never going to stop. Not unlike game publishers, they like to overhype the holiday season, but the smart shopper will know better than to fall for those tricks! Add a “Ring of The Smart Shopper” to your inventory.
So there you have it folks, my survival guide for online shopping during Cyber Monday. Hopefully this will be helpful to you in some way and will allow you to gather even more loot for yourself and for your friends and family. Let the shopping begin!
