6 Tips to Make the Most of Cyber Monday Deals
1. Think about the people.
It's easy to get distracted by all the low prices, but focus on the end goal. "Prepare a list of who you're shopping for," says Artemis Berry, vice president of the digital division shop.org for the National Retail Federation. "It will help you stay organized and focus on the products you need."
2. Search inspiration boards.
Pinterest isn't just for daydreaming. Follow your friends' boards to get a sense of what they want. "It will help you discover specific products they may love, or may give you other ideas as you are shopping," Berry says.
3. Make deals come to you.
The huge number of all-encompassing sales ("Whole store 40% off!"), plus individual item discounts ("Buy one coffeemaker, get another half-off") can be hard to keep track of. "Sign up for email lists now for your favorite retailers and on websites like CyberMonday.com for access to the best deals this holiday and all year long," Berry says. The bargain info will be sent right to your inbox.
4. Find your favorite payment method.
Shopping online makes payment methods even more flexible, but don't trade in your trusty Visa on Cyber Monday morning. "Tools like PayPal, Apple Pay, and others may be just what you are looking for, but make sure you test them out once before key shopping days both online and in person to make it as stress-free as possible," Berry says.
5. Use online resources.
As its name suggests, CyberMonday.com knows holiday deals. Berry suggests signing up for email alerts and checking the site often. "Over 800 retailers have deals on CyberMonday.com for you year-round, but there are some especially fantastic deals you can find on the site between Black Friday and Cyber Monday."
6. Double-check shipping dates.
When attempting to make multiple purchases, it's easy to rush through the transactions. But with Christmas right around the corner, shipping dates are important, so go slow. "Most retailers will provide you with multiple shipping options and will give you a date range for when the product should arrive," Berry says.