Holiday Shopping: Tips for Black Friday and Cyber Monday

November 12, 2011

We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this has to be brought to your attention: Black Friday is almost here. Now, we’re aware that this is no surprise to you, but we’re also aware that you’ve more than likely buried this information deep in the recesses of your mind. Truth be told, ignoring it won’t make it go away.

If only there was a way to avoid the crowds swarming brick and mortar stores (AKA temporary death traps), and finish your holiday shopping without the stress and possibility of being trampled by angry masses charging forward for that new gaming console or HDTV. Hmmm, if only…

OH WAIT! There is a way: Avoid the crowds entirely by shopping online! (Hey, they don’t call us experts for nothin’!)

“But what about the deeeeals,” you may be asking. Let’s just say that with the growth and advancement that online shopping has seen over the years, retailers are taking their deals to the Internet; in fact, in most cases, you’ll find better deals online than you will in the actual store. Of course, shopping with KickItBack will help you earn some of your cash back.

In any case, it’s a good thing to be prepared. So to kick off the holiday shopping season, we’re going to present you with some tips for shopping online this Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Make a List

This may go without saying, but you need to have a plan set in place before you head to the computer to start your shopping. Think of it like this: When you go to the grocery store hungry, all you end up with is a pantry full of Cheez-Its, sugary cereals, Mac ‘N’ Cheese, and Oreo cookies. But if you go shopping on a full stomach, your grocery store loot will be far more appealing to yourself and those you live with.

Know who you’re shopping for. Make a list of those you want to buy gifts for, and set a budget for each person on the list. If you start early enough, it’s easier to gradually think of the best gift for each person. The closer we get to the deadline, the more hurried your decisions will be.

Research, Research, Research

You’ve made your list and checked it twice. Now it’s time to check those names off, but you don’t want to break the bank in doing so. There’s only one thing you can do: Research. Use the Internet to your advantage to find those items on your list at the absolute lowest price possible.

But the Internet is a big, intimidating place, right? Where do you even start? Well, Google is a good start. But you could also head to KickItBack to make use of our superawesomeamazinglyincredible Products Search tool! Simply enter the item you’re looking for and click the Search button. You’ll get a list of results that includes every retailer that sells that particular item. In addition, you’ll see the price of the item, and the cash-back reward offered by each retailer. Couldn’t be easier!

Sign Up for Company Newsletters

Another great way to stay in the loop is to sign up to receive newsletters and other email announcements from your favorite retailers. During this time, newsletters are an incredibly useful tool; they’ll alert you to their newest and best deals and offers.

It’s also a great idea to “like” their Facebook pages and to follow their Twitter feeds. Heck, if they’re on Google +, head over and add them to your circle too!

If you haven’t already, sign up for the KickItBack email. We send several out every week alerting you to the best deals we see coming across our desk (well, computer screen…)! Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up-to-date on all the latest and greatest deals!

Free Shipping

One of the most underrated ways to save money during the holiday shopping season is free shipping. A lot of retailers offer free shipping when you spend a certain amount of money. It may make sense for you to consolidate your lists as much as possible to accommodate those requirements. Some retailers even offer free shipping with no minimum purchase required. Our advice: Find those retailers, and never let them go!

Take advantage of free shipping options like the ones offered by WalMart. They’ve got Site to Store or FedEx Office, Home Free, and Pick Up Today. Read more about WalMart free shipping options from the blog we posted last month.

Start Early

The best way to avoid the crowds is to start your shopping early, and gradually complete your shopping over the next few weeks. You’ll thank yourself later!

Keep an eye on our blog over the next couple of weeks, there’s much more to come! We’ll have Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, holiday travel specials, and more! Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the hottest new deals during the holiday season!

Filed under: Holiday,How To

Tags: black friday, cash back rewards, cash back shopping, coupon codes, cyber monday, holiday shopping tips