6 Tips for Cyber Monday
Thanksgiving is next week… yes, already. It seems like 2011 flew by, huh? And ask Thanksgiving gets closer, the time for Christmas shopping looms overhead. Black Friday not your thing? It’s not mine either. Too many people, it’s hard to find a parking spot, and it’s just stressful for everyone! So, instead, I like to get my shopping done on Cyber Monday!
Cyber Monday was started by websites like Amazon and eBay to encourage shoppers to chase after great deals, but to do it on a day where they wouldn’t be competing with brick-and-mortar stores.
So, how can you best prepare for Cyber Monday? Here are a few tips.
- Look at Cyber Monday sales ahead of time. Like Black Friday, there are some sales that are time-sensitive or are only available for the first however many people purchase the item. Compare and contrast what people have available. Also, make sure that they’re decent enough discounts; the sale may only be a few dollars and you may be better off waiting for another time.
- Use only reputable websites. If you’ve never heard of a particular website, Google it! There’s a wealth of information online about websites and their legitimacy. Another place you can look is the Better Business Bureau; their website keeps a listing of all of the disputes opened with most companies, and many reputable companies are registered with them.
- Make sure your anti-virus and anti-spyware software is up-to-date. I’m really careful about internet security. Probably too careful, sometimes. But, when your credit card information is going to be used a lot in one day, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Hackers can get your information through your computer, even if you’re using reputable websites as per my suggestion above.
- Keep those online receipts. Just like you should keep receipts for a brick-and-mortar store, keep the email confirmations that you get. Most websites keep these in your account information too, but it’s always best to have it on hand in case something gets lost in cyberspace. Make it easy on yourself if you have to make any unexpected returns.
- Account for the cost of shipping. . Sometimes, the shipping for items will make the sale not even worth going after, so make sure you know how much it is and compare it to the retail price of that item. Another thing you can do is just scour around and find websites that offer free shipping (like Amazon).
- Get up and stretch. Don’t sit in front of the computer all day, it’s bad for your back. Get up, get a cup of coffee or a snack, go read for a bit. If there are time-sensitive deals that you’re looking for, set an alarm for five minutes before and go do something different.
So, make this holiday shopping season a little easier on stress and your wallet. Consider going after the great deals that you can find on Cyber Monday with these 6 tips. Until Friday, spend smart, save smart!
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