Shopportunist
Serving up a list of hints on how to take advantage of the best Cyber Monday deals./
Don't close that weary wallet just yet. There's been a dizzying surge of deals over the last several weeks, and sales have spilled beyond Black Friday, but we will still see some significant savings on Cyber Monday.
Unlike its sister shopping holiday, Cyber Monday sales tend to be shrouded in secrecy with many retailers keeping their best buys in the can in order to amp up anticipation. So, before you log on, you'll want to do some legwork. Here are some tips to help you down-and-dirty deal-slingers scoop up the best bargains and save:
Do: Sign up for emails and follow your favorite retailer on social media. Cyber Monday sale details will drop last minute so sign up for all your favorite retailers’ emails. That way, offers will be delivered directly to your inbox. Also, head to Twitter, Facebook and Instagram because a lot of retailers, especially smaller stores and independent shops, will promote flash sales and special savings to loyal social media followers.
Don’t: Leave money on the table. I laud cashback websites a whole lot, and for good reason. You’re going to spend money, you may as well earn some while you do. Cashback sites link to retailers' e-commerce stores via a shopping portal and let you earn back a percentage of the money you spend. Topcashback.com, Rakuten.com and Retailmenot.com are a few of my favorites.
Do: Explore travel deals. We could all use a vacation and Cyber Monday is one of the best days to bag rock-bottom discounts on big city trips and tropical respites. Many major hotel brands and global tourism groups, like Iberostar, Riu and Sandals will offer special savings on packages well into 2021. Visit booking sites like Expedia, Hotwire and Booking for fleeting offers and be sure to scour flight sales at some of the major carriers, including Southwest, Jetblue, United and Hawaiian Airlines.
Don’t: Wing it. Have a plan. Make a list in advance of the items you are searching for (either for gifts or yourself ) and know your price point. When you see so many great deals online for a limited time, it can be very tempting to start adding extra things to your virtual shopping cart — and overspend. If you have an idea of what you are looking for and
how much it regularly costs, you can easily decide if you need it and if you're getting a deal.
Do: Shop local when you can, especially now as many area businesses continue to struggle in the wake of the coronavirus. Many independently owned shops, restaurants and services providers will offer special deals, as well as gift wrapping, free shipping and contactless curbside pickup. Visit retailnewyork.com, an online portal established by the Retail Council of New York State that provides exposure to small businesses. Also, be sure to explore Etsy. The marketplace features handmade products and unique gifts created by crafters throughout the world, including the Capital Region. Search by city or town to hone in on products made close to home.
Don't: Spring for fitness equipment. Anything and everything you might want for your home gym will appear as deals on Cyber Monday. But, wait just a bit. In January, these items will get marked down again for the New Year's-resolution crowd. The one fitnessrelated item you should buy on Cyber Monday? Fitness-tracking wearables and watches.
Do: Download a browser extension. Rather than trying to compare prices and hunt for coupon codes, use a browser extension and price-comparison tool like Honey, Rakuten, Retailmenot Dealfinder or Capital One Shopping to easily set up price-drop alerts, automatically apply coupon codes and cash back offers and compare competitor pricing.
Don’t: Spend more to reach a free shipping threshold. If you’re tempted to tack a few things on to your order just to save on shipping, you could end up spending more in the long run. Seek out a free shipping code, opt for in-store pickup or shop elsewhere.
Do: Look for deals on experience gifts and online courses. Sites like Groupon often offer deep discounts on Cyber Monday. Groupons for experiences like spa visits, rope courses and meals out make great gifts, and Cyber Monday is a great day to find even bigger discounts than usual. Online educational subscriptions and continuing-education courses often drop in price on Cyber Monday. So make a list of courses you're interested in, sign up for emails from the providers and watch for deals. You could save hundreds of dollars. If you have a snow enthusiast at home, scope out regional ski resort websites for flash sales and Cyber Monday specials.