Is it Black Friday or Black November? Retailers like Walmart and Amazon began promoting doorbusters the day after Halloween, and are now offering pre-Black Friday sales through the weekend for a full week before the holiday shopping extravaganza.
Meanwhile, Kmart and Toys ‘R Us are extending Pre-Black Friday perks to their loyal members: Kmart’s Shop Your Way members will have access to deals online starting on Saturday, Nov. 22, and Toys ‘R Us Reward Members can start shopping the Black Friday on Sunday, Nov. 23.
While all these pre-sales may seem like marketing gimmicks, they offer real savings and should be considered by holiday shoppers on a budget. Here are five reasons to hit the stores early and take advantage of these sales:
1. Avoid the Madness and Sleep In
According to a survey from CFI Group, 30 percent of holiday shoppers plan to spend over 50 percent of their holiday budgets during Black Friday. Doorbusters and limited-time savings create a sense of urgency that often leads people to overspending. Pre-sales won’t have the same amount of chaos an urgency, so you can make more conscious purchasing decisions and beat the crowds on Black Friday.
2. Snag Popular Items That Sell Out Quickly
The Frozen doll (and pretty much everything Frozen-related) is a hot item this year and will most likely run out of stock before the holiday shopping season is over. Plus, experts agree products on the “hot toy list” are rarely offered during Black Friday weekend. So, Pre-Black Friday sales enable you to get these gifts while you can at a discount that satisfies your budget. Just be sure to compare prices: Target and Kmart Shop Your Way members can get the Elsa doll for $29.99, while Toys ‘R Us members will pay a little more at $34.99.
3. Guarantee Better Prices by Comparing Ads
Most top retailers have already posted their Black Friday ads, so you can eliminate the fear of spending too much this weekend on something that will drop in price next weekend. Compare prices of products you’re shopping for to Black Friday circulars and pick up whatever is comparable now to get a headstart. If you can’t find a retailer’s Black Friday ad on their website, check out BFAds.net for free scans.
4. Find Deals for Thanksgiving Dinner
Hosting Thanksgiving dinner is no small feat, and having the right tools definitely helps make the process smoother. These Pre-Black Friday sales represent the perfect opportunity to pick up any cookware or kitchen appliances to help support your Thanksgiving preparation plans. For example, Walmart is offering a KitchenAid 4.5qt Stand Mixer for $229, and throwing in a $30 Walmart gift card to use toward other supplies and ingredients.
5. Spread Out Your Spending
If you planned to start your holiday shopping on Black Friday, these pre-sales are a good reminder to spread out your spending for maximum savings. Even if you shop somewhere this weekend that isn’t hosting a pre-sale, there are plenty of promotions and coupons available to cross a few items off your list at a discount. The Coupon Sherpa app, for instance, will give you immediate access to in-store coupons from hundreds of retailers, allowing you to score Black Friday-like savings without the headache.
Will you be taking advantage of pre-Black Friday sales?
Save for the things that matter
Without giving up the things you love
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