Black Friday shopping tips

Love it or loathe it, there’s no escaping Black Friday as it becomes an increasingly prominent date in most retailers’ sales schedules. 

When is Black Friday 2024?

This year, Black Friday falls on 29th November and bargain hunters across the UK will be looking to grab themselves some of the best Black Friday deals. If you’re venturing to the shops, here’s our guide on getting the most out of the day and avoiding shopping stress!

Research the products on offer at Black Friday sales beforehand

You don’t want to be running aimlessly from one shop to the next, unsure about what you want or where to get it. A few days before you head out to the shops it’s always best to do some research. 

Firstly, make a list of things that you would like to get, for example, a new winter coat, games consoles for the kids, a kitchen mixer, perfume for Mum, etc. Then go online and have a look at the brands or items you’re interested in. Check out the reviews of the products and make a note of the current price. This will all come in useful on the day!

Be cautious of lesser-known brands on Black Friday

There are plenty of tempting bargains on Black Friday, but just because a TV boasts 4K and HDR on the packaging doesn’t guarantee it will match the picture quality of household names.

We’re not claiming that every unfamiliar brand is subpar, but there’s a reason some brands are household names while others only appear during sales. 

Sign up to Black Friday retailer updates

Make a note of the retailers that sell the items you’re interested in and sign up for email updates or follow their social media pages. They will keep you in the loop about the products that are likely to be involved in their Black Friday promotions. Use all this information to come up with a hit list.

Don't get stung by parking fees

Savvy shoppers book trains for Black Friday. Going by train is a far less stressful alternative to driving into town, fighting for the last parking space and then spending an extortionate amount on parking for the privilege. If you’re looking for cheap train travel, you can make good savings if you journey during off-peak train times, which are generally between 9.30 and 15.30 on weekdays and after 19.15.  

Black Friday technology deals

If you’re in the market for tech, understand the product lifecycles. Most gadgets, like smartphones, TVs, and tablets, are updated annually, meaning you only have to wait a year for the next exciting release.

Major tech companies will do their best to entice you to buy their latest model, but last year’s device can still be perfectly suitable and is much more likely to be discounted.

Black Friday price matching policy

Check if retailers will match prices. Stores like AO, Currys, Euronics, Halfords, Hughes, and John Lewis have price match guarantees, while Richer Sounds will even beat the lowest price you find by £10 on items priced between £300 and £1,000.

Additionally, even retailers without explicit price-matching policies may refund the difference if you inquire about a price drop shortly after your purchase.

Black Friday returns policy

If you’ve purchased in store, you can only return non-faulty items for an exchange or refund if the retailer has a returns policy. While most shops do, they’re not legally obligated to.

Shopping online provides greater protection: you have 14 days from the delivery date to cancel your order and an additional 14 days to return it for a full refund.

Many retailers extend their return periods leading up to Christmas, which is useful for gift purchases. Be sure to check whether the policy offers a full refund or just store credit or an exchange.

Black Friday deals online

If you’re shopping in-store this Black Friday, don’t forget about online retailers. With a data connection on your phone, you can browse Currys and Amazon simultaneously.

Access to websites allows you to compare prices and ensure you’re getting the best deal while you shop in store.

Shop early Black Friday deals

In recent years, many retailers have begun offering deals a week or two before Black Friday, even starting in early November.

If you’re waiting for the actual day to hunt for bargains, keep in mind that the best deals - especially on high-demand items - can disappear quickly, and some products might already be sold out.

Don't impulse buy on Black Friday

Head into the shops armed with your hit list and don’t stray from it. 

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and buy something that seems too good a deal to ignore. Back home, that juicer you thought you would use every day, or those boots in a colour you weren’t sure about, are the purchases you’re most likely to regret.

Make sure you're getting a Black Friday bargain

Research by Which? found that 87% of the Black Friday deals they investigated were available at the same price or even cheaper at other times of the year. Only 13% of the products they tracked were actually at their cheapest on Black Friday. So how do you know if you’re getting a good deal? 

If you’ve done your research, you’ll know the price that the product usually sells for. Some shops will tell you the price history of the product, so make sure to read the price labels before making your decision. 

Use your smartphone to cross-reference the price of the product in other stores. A quick Google Shopping search will tell how much the item is elsewhere, or download an app like PriceSpy, which also tells you the price history of an item, so you can see how much of a discount you’re really getting. 

Don’t let the Black Friday stress get to you

Shopping on one of the busiest days of the year can be taxing. 

If it’s getting a bit too much, go for a coffee and take a breather. Or zone out of the hustle and bustle by plugging in your earphones and listening to your favourite uplifting music. 

For endless queue stress, try taking some long, calming breaths – in through the nose and out through the mouth. 

And finally, if you’re feeling stressed and hassled, just call it a day. Is getting £100 off that HDTV worth your sanity?

Don’t forget about Cyber Monday

Traditionally, Black Friday was meant for in-store shopping, while Cyber Monday focused on online deals. Nowadays, more money is spent online on Black Friday than in physical stores, but Cyber Monday is still worth your attention.

Some retailers, especially those specialising in tech, will offer discounts on laptops, desktop PCs, printers, and more. If you didn’t find what you were looking for on Black Friday, continue checking over the weekend and into Monday for additional deals.

Travelling to the Black Friday sales

Now that you’re fully prepared for Black Friday, all that’s left to do is to get there with ease. See our Christmas train times guide for further information about how to easily book your train tickets this Christmas period.

Contact our friendly team if you have any further questions.