Online vs. in-store: where to score the best Black Friday deals
Black Friday will be here before you know it, and there are already some early sales and offers you can take advantage of. ‘Tis the peak season for saving money on holiday purchases, with major retailers offering some of the lowest prices of the year.
For example, many Apple Black Friday deals are already live, as is Best Buy’s Black Friday sale. There are also early Walmart Black Friday promotions going on now, with more to be added as we officially approach Black Friday.
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The good news is you don’t have to go to a physical store to find the savings. All of the above sales run both online and in-store, and with the help of a handy browser extension you can easily find the best prices.
That said, there are still a few reasons why you might want to get out of the house and head to the nearest big box store in person. What’s the difference between shopping in a physical store on Black Friday and taking advantage of the best deals you can find online? Below we will explore the pros and cons of each approach.
And for more Black Friday information, check out CNET’s Black Friday Deals live blog for the latest Black Friday bargains.
Check this out: How to shop Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals like a pro
Why you should make Black Friday purchases online
Online shopping during Black Friday offers several advantages. First, you don’t have to abandon your family on Thanksgiving or get up super early the day after to stand in line at a store in the cold. Although you will have to wait a few days for your purchases to arrive, they will be delivered straight to your home. Talking about convenience.
It also means you can shop efficiently at multiple retailers. After searching some Black Friday adsyou may have noticed some particularly attractive deals at Walmart or Home Depot or Staples, but you can’t be in more than one place at a time. However, online you can make purchases from various retailers in just a few minutes. It also means you can compare prices and ensure you get the best possible deal at the store you prefer to shop at.
In recent years, online offers have been largely identical to those in stores. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, most retailers have switched to offering their best deals online instead of encouraging people to crowd into stores, which is great for people who never liked that. Some deals are available exclusively, or at least earlier, online, with several sales starting hours or days earlier for online shoppers before appearing in stores.
Why you should do your Black Friday shopping in person
While Black Friday sales have certainly shifted to online-first in recent years, in-person shopping still has some benefits to consider. Although it’s convenient to have all your Black Friday purchases show up at your door, there can often be a delay between placing your order and actually having the product in your possession. Whether it’s for a few days or several weeks because products are on backorder, there’s nothing like getting your hands on the product you want and taking it home.
And although the number is getting smaller every year, some doorbuster deals are only launching in stores. It’s also a chance to score some of the best Black Friday deals that sold out online shortly after going live; your nearest store may still have stock to sell once the doors open on Black Friday morning.
Ultimately, the best experience comes down to personal preference and the strength of your desire to snag the most exclusive deals. Unless you really prefer to shop in person this year, the online Black Friday sales will probably be enough for you.
For more tips ahead of the holiday shopping season, check out our guides on how to do it avoid shipping costs, save on electronics And send surprise holiday gifts through Amazon?
