Cyber Monday and Black Friday Sales are not Worth it anymore
In recent years, the excitement surrounding Black Friday and Cyber Monday has waned as consumers become increasingly skeptical about the true value of the deals offered during these shopping extravaganzas. While the promise of jaw-dropping discounts may still lure in crowds, there’s a growing concern that many retailers are playing a clever game of smoke and mirrors. In my opinion, these days, the Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals are no longer worth it.
Why do Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals longer have the unbeatable bargains they once seemed? I’ll shed light on the tactics companies now use to make us think we’re getting great discounts. I’ll also discuss my recommendations on where you CAN DEFINITELY get great deals! And it doesn’t have to be on Black Friday or Cyber Monday!
Inflated Original Prices
One of the most common strategies employed by retailers is inflating the original prices of products before Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This practice, known as “price anchoring,” involves raising prices weeks or even months before the shopping events to make the eventual discounts appear more significant. For example, a product that was originally priced at $100 might be marked up to $150 a few weeks before Black Friday, only to be discounted back to $100 during the sale.
I really dislike this deceitful tactic and I am glad people are waking up to this and exposing these companies that do this. There’s videos all over Instagram and TikTok exposing these companies. Companies like Walmart and Target that inflate prices prior to Black Friday, only to drop them down. They do this to give people the illusion they’re getting a “bargain” (I mean the word, bargain, loosely!).
If you want to find great deals on things that will truly go on sale, look at second hand marketplaces like Poshmark or Facebook Marketplace. If you’re looking for clothing, shoes or accessories – Poshmark is an INCREDIBLE place to find heavily discounted clothes. Items are most often still brand new with tags! In todays hyper consumerism society, people are still impulse buying. Then selling at heavy discounts much later when they are strapped for cash. Apps like Poshmark and Ebay are the perfect outlet for them to recoup some cash on their purchases. And for you to reap the benefits of buying at super discounts!
Phantom Discounts
In addition to inflating prices, some companies engage in the deceptive practice of offering “phantom discounts.” These discounts are not as substantial as they may seem at first glance. For instance, a retailer might advertise a product with a 50% discount, but the original price listed is from a short-lived sale or a discontinued version of the item. This gives the illusion of a great deal while maintaining the retailer’s profit margins.
Don’t fall for these phantom discounts. Its another deceptive practice all thanks to capitalism. I strongly encourage you to take a picture or jot down the name and serial number of the product to research the product later when you’re in a calm space away from impulsively buying and having buyer’s remorse later. Always do research before buying something, especially if it is expensive and is intended to be used a lot.
I also encourage using a coupon or cash back plugin like Rakuten, or a price tracker plugin like Keepa. Rakuten is one of my favorite apps to use especially during black Friday if I’m intending to make large and/or many purchases. It helps me find the lowest price on several stores in its database (it’s got hundreds of stores it monitors) and the percentage of cash back varies. I can also confirm that you will receive a cash back check paid out every quarter.
Limited Availability
Creating a sense of urgency is a classic sales tactic, and it is often exploited during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Retailers may advertise limited-time or limited-quantity deals to pressure consumers into making impulsive purchases. However, it’s crucial to recognize that not all items are genuinely in short supply, and this scarcity can be manufactured to drive sales.
One way I combat this tactic is by using Google image search. I save a photo of a product that is supposedly listed as “limited”, and I upload it through Google’s image search feature. The results often show you the same or similar products sold elsewhere. And a lot of times you can find that same product for much cheaper on other sites. Make sure that the site is legitimate. If you haven’t heard of the website, or the website doesn’t look professional or is sloppily put together, or the price just seems too good to be true, it usually means it is and I’d stay away from it.
Quality vs. Quantity
Another aspect to consider is the compromise on product quality. Some companies might produce lower-quality versions of their products specifically for Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. While the price might seem tempting, the compromised quality can lead to dissatisfaction and the need for replacements or repairs, eroding any perceived savings in the long run.
I write a lot about this especially on designer and well known luxury brands and I have many posts dedicated towards shopping smartly when buying luxury/high end goods. If you’re big into designer inspired (wink wink ~_^), you’ll want to keep a close eye out on the price and quality of an item. Websites like Aliexpress and DHGate have a huge selection of dupes, but prices vary widely. For example, an LV wallet going for $10 is clearly not going to be top quality compared to that same LV wallet priced at $50-80. Take careful note on prices and photos and be sure to ask the seller any questions you may have (such as additional photos, what materials are used, how it’s made, etc).
If you are looking for designer inspired clothes, shoes and accessories and how to shop for them, check out my posts here on a few of my favorite designers:
Zimmermann, Zara, Bronx & Banco
While Black Friday and Cyber Monday have traditionally been synonymous with unbeatable deals, the landscape is evolving, and consumers need to be more discerning than ever. The key is to approach these shopping events with a critical eye, questioning the authenticity of discounts and doing thorough research before making a purchase. By being aware of the tactics employed by retailers to create a sense of urgency and excitement, consumers can make informed decisions and avoid falling prey to the illusion of unbeatable bargains.
All in all, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are now just another day in the shopping world with no real value when it comes to finding good deals. Ultimately, the real value lies in well-informed choices rather than succumbing to the hype surrounding these shopping bonanzas. In my opinion, Black Friday sales are not worth it!
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