Consumer Reports Offers 12 Tips for Getting the Best Holiday Shopping Deals
The holiday shopping season is on, and as of November 1st the ads and store decorations have come out in full force. Hopefully you’ve been thinking about what gifts you can and want to get, given your budget. And you have a good plan for paying for these gifts! To make planning easier, layaway has made a big comeback with Walmart, Kmart, BestBuy, Marshalls and other retailers trying to “encourage” consumers to spend more.
James Willcox at Consumer Reports, just wrote an article with 12 tips for getting the best deals on Black Friday (the Friday after Thanksgiving, in case you didn't know) which is in less than three weeks. Following these tips will keep you somewhat immune to the shopping frenzy and hopefully within your budget plan.
1. Check out the ads before Black Friday comes. Many retailers give shoppers a hint of what is to come on Black Friday. You can check several websites: bfads.net, blackfriday.info, theBlackFriday.com and BlackFriday@gottadeal.com and to narrow your search for the best deals. In addition, Consumer Reports blog will be posting updates on the deals they see.
2. Go online first to scope out the deals that major retailer sites - like Amazon, Best Buy and Walmart - are offering the week of Black Friday. If you shop online, many times you can get specials and free shipping that add to the savings.
3. Sign up for email alerts. Many retailers are using email alerts to encourage customer loyalty and offer exclusive sales and bonuses. You can also find out if the item you want is in stores for pick-up only or can be shipped.
4. Check out QR codes. You’ve probably seen some “Quick Response” codes in magazines and catalogs which are snazzy new barcodes that can be read by cell phones with QR code apps. These codes give information on the product, coupon codes, special deals and video links. Many merchants are going to be using these codes to attract shoppers who are buying through their mobile phones.
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