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What Deals To Avoid on Black Friday?
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For savvy shoppers, it’s an opportunity to score big on big-ticket items like laptops and mattresses. However, caution is required when deal hunting. Not all discounts are as deep as advertised. Follow these tips to find the genuine bargains.
For savvy shoppers, it’s an opportunity to score big on big-ticket items like laptops and mattresses. However, caution is required when deal hunting. Not all discounts are as deep as advertised. Follow these tips to find the genuine bargains.
Research Top Models and Prices
For electronics especially, advance research is key. Review laptop specs like CPU, RAM, storage, graphics, display quality, and battery life. Shortlist models you’re interested in and note regular prices at major retailers. This gives you a benchmark to assess Black Friday deals against. Focus on reputable brands like Dell, HP, and Lenovo for performance and reliability. Be wary of lesser-known brands touting unrealistic discounts.
Similarly, study specifications for mattresses like materials, firmness, cooling features, motion isolation, and warranties. Take time to personally test mattresses in showrooms if possible. While a 50% off deal may be enticing, it’s pointless if the mattress is unsuitable for your sleep needs.
Set Price Drop Expectations
What kind of discounts can you realistically expect? For laptops, 20-30% off is typical for current-generation models from top brands. High-end laptops may see steeper price cuts, around 40% off in some cases. Budget laptops under $400 are less likely to be deeply discounted.
For mattresses, discounts range from 20-50% off. Brands like Purple and Casper often offer their biggest savings. Even higher-end mattresses like Tempur-Pedic sometimes offer discounts up to $500 off. Just don’t expect 70% off deals which are usually too good to be true.
Compare Across Retailers
Don’t just look at deals from one retailer. Check all major stores both online and offline. Go beyond big chains to check companies like Dell and Lenovo which offer direct laptop sales. Use price comparison sites to find the best price on a specific laptop or mattress model. For example, the HP Spectre x360 may be $200 less on HP’s website than at BestBuy.
Sometimes you can stack additional coupon codes for extra savings on top of Black Friday pricing. Just be sure to compare final checkout prices, not just advertised percentages off.
Should You Wait for Cyber Monday?
For online purchases, Cyber Monday brings a new round of digital-only deals. However, the best laptop and mattress deals typically sell out fast on Black Friday. Usually Cyber Monday is more focused on apparel, toys, beauty, and smaller electronics. It’s better to buy must-have big-ticket items on Black Friday when stock is highest. Electronics and mattresses may have limited leftover inventory for Cyber Monday.
In-Store vs Online
Braving Black Friday crowds is a rite of passage for some shoppers. Others prefer shopping online in their pajamas. Assess whether the in-store experience is worth it to you for specific products. Electronics and mattresses are bulky purchases you may need to transport home. Getting items delivered saves this hassle.
However, online inventory sells out extremely fast. If you want a specific laptop or mattress model, going to the store increases your chances. You can personally inspect items for any defects before purchase. Returns and exchanges are also easier done in person.
Avoid Impulse Purchases
The hype and urgency of Black Friday sales can lead to impulse purchases you may later regret. Stick to your research-based list of target items only. For mattresses especially, don’t let pressure from sales associates steer you toward deals not matching your needs. Take your time, don’t succumb to FOMO, and walk away if deals don’t live up to expectations. Patience will be rewarded.
Beware of Hidden Costs
Watch for add-on costs that could negate great bargains. There may be shipping fees for online orders, sales tax charges, or mandatory warranties and installation fees for certain mattress deals. Factor these into the total cost before deciding if the deal is worth it.
Track Price Histories
Use price tracking tools like CamelCamelCamel for Amazon items or the browser extension Honey. This helps you assess whether items are at an all-time low price for Black Friday or if they were cheaper at other times of the year. Don’t assume all deals are the rock bottom price.
Stack Savings Strategies
Can you combine Black Friday deals with other savings for extra value? Look for laptop and mattress deals that also offer rebates and gift cards on future purchases. Use Rakuten to get cash back from select retailers. See if any credit card points or store loyalty rewards can be applied. The more you can stack, the sweeter the deal.
Enjoy the Savings
Approached carefully, Black Friday is the best time to purchase substantial home items like laptops and mattresses – ones that traditionally don’t see steep discounts at other times of the year. Follow these tips and happy deal hunting! Let us know what great savings you uncover in the comments.
