Steffie Price, is a 30 year old influencer, deal hunter and Black Friday expert living in New York.
Growing up in the golden age of Black Friday, I would go to the mall with my parents at midnight to stand in line for my favorite stores.
A lot has changed.
Everything is online now and the days of shoppers being trampled in Walmart are hopefully behind us. But my enthusiasm for the affordable holiday remains as great as ever.
And over the past twenty years, I’ve perfected the art of Black Friday, and I’m sharing my tricks and tips here to help others find the best buys, too.
Steffie Price, 30, is an influencer, deal hunter and Black Friday expert living in New York. Here she shares her best tips and tricks for getting the best deals and ensuring no buyer’s remorse.
Everything is online now and the days of shoppers being trampled in Walmart are hopefully behind us. But my enthusiasm for the affordable holiday remains as great as ever.
1. Be patient
Black Friday sales start earlier and earlier every year.
Brands are trying to maximize their revenue, and it’s easy to get sucked into the 15 or 20 percent off banners that pop up in the weeks and days leading up to the big day.
But those early discounts are a trap. The best deals are always released on the day itself or on Cyber Monday (December 2).
I consistently see discounts increase by another five to fifteen percent on Black Friday. So, as a rule, and unless you’re worried something will sell out, wait.
If you’re really into it, you can put all the items you want in a basket and then check regularly to see if the discounts increase. If they do, you’re ready to click ‘buy now’.
2. Cut out the middleman
Usually it’s best to shop directly from a brand, rather than through a department store (though see my next tip for an exception to that rule).
Say you like a beauty brand offered by Bloomingdale’s, you’ll likely find a better deal if you go directly to the brand’s website, because it’s direct to consumer and you don’t have to pay any middlemen.
The only thing you need to remember is to check the shipping costs. Most brands offer free shipping these days, but occasionally smaller stores don’t.
Once you know exactly what product you want, use ‘Google Shopping’ to compare prices and then go for the cheapest product – as long as it comes from a reputable website! Reviews or ‘Trustpilot’ are a good source to check if a site is legitimate.
3. My secret weapon: price matching
This is one of my favorite tips when shopping at Nordstrom because the department store promises that the price will match its goods.
For example, if Nordstrom offers a brand that also has a Black Friday sale on its own site, and their discount is better, you can go to Nordstrom’s “customer chat” feature and request a price match.
Say something like, “I’m a loyal Nordstrom customer, can you adjust the price?”
4. Sign up to stay ahead
I sign up for text notifications from all my favorite brands. That way, I get real-time notifications when they offer discounts or special add-ons like a free gift with purchase.
It means I don’t have to waste time constantly checking their Instagram accounts or websites.
Some brands also offer additional discounts when you sign up for their text message alerts or mailing lists.
I sign up for text notifications from all my favorite brands. That way, I get real-time notifications when they offer discounts or special add-ons like a free gift with purchase.
My secret weapon: price matching. This is one of my favorite tips when shopping at Nordstrom because the department store promises that the price will match its goods.
5. Set a strict budget
It’s easy to get sucked into the Black Friday madness and buy every shiny thing that pops up on your screen.
But it’s just as easy to wake up the next day to an overwhelming sense of buyer’s remorse, and a stream of packages in transit that go straight into the returns pile.
Planning ahead is key to avoiding disappointment.
Make a list of all the things you want, and also make sure you have one strict budget so you don’t go overboard
Rank the items you want from “most essential” to least. As you work through the list, you can update your total expenses. Once you reach your maximum budget, force yourself to stop – no exceptions.
6. It pays to use credit – and shop online
If possible, it’s best to use credit cards that offer cash back rewards, especially if you’re a big spender.
I would also say that an online experience is always less stressful.
Websites have access to a brand’s entire warehouse stock, so you can see the full range of sizes and colors of items available.
If possible, it’s best to use credit cards that offer cash back rewards, especially if you’re a big spender.
Still, I will still go shopping in person that day – largely out of tradition – but I won’t go crazy. Shops can be chaotic, so I definitely won’t bother trying things on – the changing room queues will be hellish!
Please note: you can always return items, unless stated otherwise. If you are unsure, please contact a staff member.
7. Bonus Tip…
Now’s the best time to buy gift sets: they’re already bundled at a lower price, so you can score high-quality products at a fraction of the actual cost.
Have fun shopping!