Cyber Week is here, and no doubt have you planned your modus operandi for the legalised and state-approved borderline robbery of stores that comes with Cyber Week. If Cyber Week has taken you by surprise and you haven’t had time to plan ahead properly, then read on to get some quick-fire tips on how best to approach this shopping extravaganza:
1. Make a List
Make a list (don’t forget to check it twice!) of people whom you want to get gifts for, as well as any other items that you’d like to purchase for yourself. Be sure to differentiate between the things that you actually need to get and those which you would just like to have. This way you can plan your spending wisely. Once you have purchased all of the ‘Needs’ on your list, you can then see how much money you have left to spend on some of the ‘Wants’ and look through them accordingly.
2. Deciding to Shop Online or Offline
Though it purely depends on the individual whether he or she wants to shop online or in-store, there are a few points to consider if you are thinking about shopping in-store during a time such as Cyber Week. You should take into account the length of time it will take you to actually get to the stores you want to visit. Remember, there will be many other shoppers out on the hunt for good deals as well, so there could be serious traffic delays, which can waste valuable shopping time. You should also consider the physical toll shopping may take on you. Making your way through crowded department stores can be an exhausting experience. The weather and what to wear can be an issue too. As it is likely to be cold, you’ll need a warm jacket, but this could lead to you overheating in-store as they tend to have the heating pumped up at this time of year.
3. Browse Around
If you choose to take your Cyber Week shopping online, be sure to compare the prices from various different websites. Seeing as you’ll be spending less time travelling, walking from shop to shop etc., you can put that energy into doing more price research, ensuring that you’re getting the very best value for money possible. Remember, not all shops will have the same items on discount, so you should be able to find more of the items you need if you check out multiple stores.
4. Watch Out For Delivery Charges
When purchasing products online, keep an eye out for stores which offer free delivery / shipping options. Some online shops offer what appear to be great low prices, but have hidden charges in the form of expensive delivery costs. When you buy from a store which offers free shipping, you know that you’re paying the exact price that you see on the website when you click the ‘Add to Basket’ button and proceed to the checkout. Most online stores will offer multiple shipping or delivery options. The free ones tend to take a bit longer. Provided you don’t need your items in a hurry, this should work out fine, and is typically the best way to go about things. If you do need to get your products delivered ASAP, then you may need to invest in more expensive premium shipping or courier services.