Tips To Make Sure You’re Getting the Best Holiday Deals

This holiday shopping season is sure to be full of deals and record setting sales. Stores are even opening up on Thanksgiving Day. Sales can be exciting, but they aren’t always the best deals. Retailers have a habit for advertising their “lowest price ever” only to make it lower the following week. And sometimes the best sales are AFTER Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Here are some tips to help you make sure you’re getting the best deal this holiday shopping season.

1.     Compare prices

Before you buy anything you should compare prices from different retailers. Look at all the flyers and check online. If you’re mobile savvy a great app is Google Shopper. This app is perfect for comparing prices right in the store. Just scan the barcode with your phone and Google searches the web for the item. You can then sort by the price low to high. There are many other free apps and websites that have the same functions.

2.       Be aware of the return and price match policies

Have you ever purchased something only to see a week later that the same exact item is cheaper in the same or different store?  It is important to know the store’s policies on returns and price matches. You want to make sure you have the freedom to get the lowest price. If you see a cheaper price, you should return the more expensive one after buying the better priced item. Many retailers have an official price match policy. If you can bring in proof of the lower price (sales flyer, coupon, dated price tag picture, etc.), some retailers will give you the difference. Be sure to read any and all fine print, since some deals cannot be price matched.

3.       Coupons

The best source of coupons is in weekly flyers in the Sunday paper. However, most retailers will accept coupons printed from online. Some in-store coupons are only available to people who subscribe to a retailer’s e-mail lists. There are many free websites and mobile apps that have in-store and online coupons cataloged for use.

4.       Get the math right

You’ve compared prices and have an envelope of coupons in your hands, so far so good. But coupons and sales can get tricky. Check your math and make sure you’re using the coupon that is the best deal.

What are your tips for scoring the best deals?