It’s so easy to get carried away in the excitement and hype around Black Friday and its surrounding sale days, that even the most trained and focused shopper could lose sight amongst all the sales tricks and end up purchasing something they wouldn’t normally.
I myself am one that seldom purchases anything. Even if I see something that piques my interest and is selling for an amazing price, I will still, without fail, counsel myself. Asking the most important question to me, “Do I really need it?”. Yet still, when surrounded by the enthusiasm of Black Friday and having heard many amazing stories, I sometimes get this little tingle of wonder at what I may be missing out on.
Buy Three and Get One Free
Check the Expiry Date
To be honest, in the instance of fast consumables, such as food, the “buy two and get the third free” sales trick often works for me. However, there are many factors to keep in mind, and more often than not, I have put an item back after double-checking a few things. First off, check the expiry date. There is a reason why most items are pushed to sell quickly. And unless you have a large enough household or consume these things quickly, it is likely that deals like these will just end up a waste.
We Change
Secondly, remember things change. Our diets, our situations or even just our preferences change. So even an item is expensive and buying three means that you could save on the price of one. How long would three last you? Can you be sure that you will be using the same product by that time? The likelihood of the third item going to waste is often great.
For instance, once upon a time, I found high-end pasta at a very competitive price when bought in bulk. I jumped at the opportunity, thinking pasta keeps for ages and I simply couldn’t go wrong. Well, pasta does last long, but a couple of months later I developed an intolerance to gluten. And a couple of months after that my partner also stopped eating gluten. Just like that, my bargain buy became exactly the opposite. This story is particular to me and not likely to occur to many people, but it is nonetheless a good example. You never know where you will be in the future. I for one never thought I would stop eating pasta!
Clutter
Then there is the aspect of clutter. We have become a species that surrounds ourselves with so much, for want of a better word, stuff. So, before jumping into any Black Friday purchases and falling for possible sales tricks, ask yourself, “do I have the space?”. And “do I have the desire to have all my spaces filled?”. This reasoning might seem a bit odd, but before fobbing it off, really think about it. I am not trying to grasp at straws, but rather speak from what I have experienced. And honestly, I felt this aspect was something worth mentioning. Having previously been a great one for bulk buying, I never noticed the small stresses it put on other elements of my life. It’s a hard one to explain, but bulk buying, in general, can have some overlooked downsides.
To Conclude
Having said all of this, some Black Friday sale shopping and bulk buying tricks can be of benefit. So if you have really considered all the aspects, and you feel that you really will benefit, then, go for it. Maybe just plan a few questions for yourself, that are important to you, and consider them before each purchase. Have a plan, and avoid impulse buys.