Seven ways to navigate Black Friday & Cyber Monday deals

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Vancouver, BC - November 24, 2022

Black Friday, traditionally the single busiest shopping day, seems to arrive earlier every year, with many stores already advertising Black Friday prices throughout November. Now in a post-pandemic environment, businesses are seeing an uptick of in-person purchases. Consumers are eager to celebrate in a big way.

Despite financial challenges, the majority of consumers (6 out of 10) will spend more time than last year searching and buying in physical stores, according to the latest report by the Retail Council of Canada (RCC). In fact, BC residents are most likely to have a loose budget or no budget at all (46% vs 38% nationally).

This year, BC residents will spend an average of $887 on holiday purchases, according to the RCC report. This is the highest average for a province or territory compared to the rest of the country, at $792 overall. 

While 8 in 10 consumers intend to buy gifts for others this year, 62% say their gift giving habits have changed over the years, with the main difference being that they are looking to buy more meaningful gifts for fewer people. 

“With the holiday shopping season in full swing, we want consumers to be prepared for what they may come across during Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales,” says Simone Lis, President and CEO, BBB serving Mainland BC.

“With inflation taking a bigger bite out of your budget, it’s crucial now more than ever for consumers to be aware of simple shopping hacks that can help save them money while shopping for loved ones.”

Whether you decide to shop in person on Black Friday or online for Cyber Monday, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) offers these seven tips:

Understand return policies. Online and brick and mortar store policies may change for Black Friday/Cyber Monday offers. Read the fine print before you buy. Be aware that stores may not allow returns for “final sale” or “closeout” items. Understand the return or exchange policy for the specific item you would like to purchase. Make sure to get gift receipts if you’re planning to gift the item, but make sure the item is able to be returned before purchasing.

Read the fine print. Some retailers may offer an additional percentage off the purchase, but could exclude certain deals or items such as “doorbusters.” Watch for companies boasting a high percentage off; the item may be “75% off,” but the original price could be inflated. Carefully check the price tags, terms, and conditions. Research online using a secure wifi connection to see if competitors have the item at a better price.

Sign-up for email alerts before the big day. Many stores release their best Black Friday deals and exclusive coupons to people who have subscribed to their emails. You could save simply by signing up ahead of the holiday season, and then unsubscribe afterwards if needed. 

Price check and price match before you buy. Dozens of online retailers will claim they have the best price on an item, but their offers can be misleading. Do your homework by comparing prices. Remember that the best deal may not be the real deal. Some stores will offer a price match just so they can receive your business instead of a competitor. 

Beware of false advertising and phony websites. If a company is selling the hottest item or toy of the year at a price that seems too good to be true, it probably is. Watch out for false advertising and keep a close eye on the web address in your browser. Scammers love to create lookalike websites that, at first glance, appear to belong to a trusted retailer. Make sure websites use the correct spelling of a business name and have legitimate contact information and customer service numbers. 

Use your credit card. Check your credit card rewards program for special points offers that could add up on Cyber Monday and throughout the holidays. Make purchases using loyalty programs; many major retailers offer them. It’s also best to use credit when shopping online, as you will be able to challenge the charge through your credit card company if something does go wrong. Debit cards don’t offer this same protection. Never make purchases with online sellers using prepaid debit cards, e-transfers or wiring money.

You may be able to book a great trip somewhere. While you're shopping for electronics, clothing and beauty items, don't forget to take advantage of travel deals. Airlines like Air Canada or WestJet have offered deals for Black Friday in the past where you could save on tons of destinations all over the world and get a deal on all of the airline's different classes of service. In addition, you can save on hotels and all inclusive resort packages to a sunny getaway. 

For more information on holiday tips, visit BBB.org/Holiday.

ABOUT BBB: 

For more than 100 years, the Better Business Bureau has been helping people find businesses, brands, and charities they can trust. In 2020, people turned to BBB more than 220 million times for BBB Business Profiles on 6.2 million businesses and Charity Reports on 11,000 charities, all available for free at BBB.org.