Top Need to Know Tips and Advice for Cyber Monday

You’re probably familiar with Black Friday, but do you know all about Cyber Monday?

Compared to the decades-long tradition that is Black Friday, Cyber Monday is a relatively new tradition to America’s biggest shopping weekend. Coined by Ellen Davis of the National Retail Federation and Scott Silverman, this special shipping day was created by retailers to encourage people to shop online. Cyber Monday made its official debut on November 28, 2005.

Despite a humble beginning, Cyber Monday has become the online equivalent to Black Friday. This day offers a way for smaller retail websites to compete with larger chains.

Ever since that first Cyber Monday, stores both large and small have worked to drive consumers to their websites. Contrary to the popular wisdom that Black Friday is the best shopping day of the year, it turns out that some of the year’s best deals are found the week after Black Friday - and they’re all online.

Scheduled directly after the Black Friday weekend, Cyber Monday 2019 occurs on December 2. You don’t need to wait to know what you can expect, though. As with most other retail holidays (such as Black Friday, Labor Day, and Valentine’s Day), you can expect to start seeing advertisements, email promotions, and other outreach a few weeks before.

Why Shop On Cyber Monday Instead?

In our busy world, convenience is king, and these days, Cyber Monday delivers all the conveniences you’ve come to love.

First, there are no crowds or bad weather to deal with. Late November and early December can bring beastly weather, so this alone is a definite plus!

Also, you no longer have to worry about missing out. Recent trends have shown that many stores have the same sales online that they have in the store. In addition to that, if you’re shopping online, it’s easy to comparison shop products and different retailers to make sure you’re getting the best prices and the best products. It’s much harder to do that in store on Black Friday!

In the past, additional costs like shipping and handling were a deterrent, but now, most larger retailers offer free shipping.

Also, thanks to the power of the internet, you can get even better deals by using online coupons in addition to discounted sale prices.( Check out some of the best deals here!)

Finally, if you do head out on Black Friday, but you find that a lot of the deals you wanted were out of stock, you can get a second chance by looking for the same deal on Cyber Monday.

What Are Some Of The Best Deals Expected Cyber Monday 2019?

In order to best answer this burning question, we’ve crunched the data for you. Given the recent history of sales on Cyber Monday, it’s a good bet that electronics like 4k HDR TV’s, Sound Bars, Nintendos, Amazon devices (such as Echo), smart home devices, and smart watches will see huge deals this year.

You can also expect steep savings on home products such as Instant Pots, coffee makers, and vacuums. If apparel is on your wishlist, have no fear - clothes and shoes are often discounted on Cyber Monday, too.

Tips and Advice for Cyber Monday

If you want to get everything on your list, there are a few things you need to know.

First, be prepared. Some websites might run a bit slower during peak shopping times, so don’t get frustrated. In order to combat this, it helps if you know what you want before browsing. Figuring out what you want to buy beforehand and sticking to your list can also lessen impulse shopping (which can be a major budget buster).

Next, research ahead of time by reading online reviews – or go to the store days earlier to check out items before holiday crowds show up. Make sure you’re shopping at trusted retailers and that the deals are sound so you don’t wind up getting taken advantage of.

Finally, be careful not to overspend. Retailers want us to spend as much as possible that day, so make sure that the “discounts" on your purchases are real discounts by checking the prices on other websites. (This is really easy on Cyber Monday because you can comparison shop multiple stores at the same time.)

Whether you decide to brave the crowds on Black Friday, or sleep in and enjoy the convenience and ease of shopping on Cyber Monday, it’s easy to overspend by buying more than you planned.

Save yourself the stress by watching for the best deals, using online coupons, and employing your best judgement so you can spend and enjoy your holiday season in the wisest way possible.

Happy Cyber Monday, and happy shopping to you!