Black Friday sales have become a tradition for many of us. The prospect of bags full of cashmere sweaters, down-filled parkas, and soft leather boots at prices we can almost afford sounds like a fairy tale come true. But how do you make sure you’re getting the best deal possible on those special items and not just buying everything at an above-average price? Here are some tips to keep in mind when shopping this Black Friday.

Always Be Aware Of Black Friday Pricing Trends

The best way to make sure you’re getting the best deal is to know what that deal is supposed to be in the first place. Before you go shopping, check out the prices of the items you want on sale at different times of the year and different parts of the country to get an idea of how much you can expect to pay. That way, you’ll be able to tell if a Black Friday sale is a great deal or not. If you’re shopping for appliances, for example, you can use Google Trends to see how often certain appliances are sold throughout the year. That way, you’ll be able to tell if a Black Friday sale on an appliance is a good deal or not.

Don’t Be Afraid To Negotiate

If you see something you like but it’s overpriced, don’t be afraid to try and get the price down. This applies to both online and in-store purchases. If there’s a line at the checkout where you can talk to a salesperson, go ahead and negotiate the price. If you’re buying a large item like a couch or refrigerator, it’s a good idea to call a store before Black Friday and ask if they’ll lower the price on the item. If they say no, you could always try asking them to throw in a free gift card or a few months of free service on your appliances. You can also try negotiating at garage sales. Whether it’s for a couch, a TV, or just a few T-shirts, it won’t hurt to ask the owner if they’d be willing to lower the price. You may not get the item for free, but you could probably get it for a lower price than what it’s listed for.

Research Brands And Stores Beforehand

Before you head out to shop, make sure you’re familiar with the brands you’re looking for. Know which brands you prefer, as well as which brands you’re willing to skip, to help you avoid falling for marketing gimmicks. If a store is trying to sell you on their house brand, know what that brand is supposed to be similar to so you’re not getting a below-average product. If you’re buying electronics, research the store’s return and warranty policy. That way, if the item breaks during the return period, you can return it without having to jump through hoops. And if you’re buying from a store with a generous return policy, you may be able to get a better price than you would at a store with a shorter return period.

Just Walk Away

If you see a deal that’s too good to be true, it probably is. If a store is selling something at an unbelievably low price, there’s probably a reason for it. It could be a store closing and trying to get rid of all its merchandise, or it could be an online store trying to boost their sales numbers. Black Friday sales are fantastic, but you should still be careful. It’s better to walk away from an amazing deal than to get a terrible deal and regret your purchase for years. If a store is selling an item at a price that seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Conclusion

Black Friday can be a great day to save money if you know what you’re doing. Before you go out shopping, make sure you know what the normal pricing is so you can tell if a sale is a good deal or not. If you’re shopping for appliances, know which ones are similar to the one you want. If you’re buying electronics, know the return and warranty policy of the store you’re buying from. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. And if you’re shopping online, make sure you’re using a secure connection so you don’t get hacked. If you keep these tips in mind, you can make sure you get the best deals this Black Friday. Whether you’re shopping in person or online, you can make sure you get a good price on the items you want.