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Black Friday and Cyber Monday: 10 Tips to Score HP's Best Tech Deals
Two of the most anticipated shopping events of the year are coming once again - Black Friday and Cyber Monday! Not only do they signify the beginning of the long-awaited holiday season, but the deals you can find on your favourite gadgets make them heaven for tech enthusiasts.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals offer a chance for anyone to upgrade their digital arsenal - but the key is to score the best deals.
Why preparation is key
You can bet there will be throngs of people vying for the best Cyber Monday tech deals and Black Friday sales. The best way to save your time is to plan ahead to make your experience an enjoyable one.
The importance of planning in advance
HP engages in the best shopping events of the year, and the most efficient way to find the most remarkable deals on what you’ve had your eye on all year is proper planning. In the case of shopping, planning is a necessity.
Your plan should include setting a budget, a list of priorities and products you’re looking for, and the location of where to shop. Let’s break it down further.
Set a budget
You’re going to see your fair share of incredible discounts, which makes it so difficult not to overspend. It’s crucial to give yourself a set budget in order to avoid impulse buys. Not only do you protect your time, but you safeguard your wallet as well!
Setting a budget is a good piece of advice for many aspects of life, even for your month-to-month spending. It can also lead you to prioritize the products or tech categories that matter most to you.
Create priorities
Speaking of prioritization, focus on what you’re looking for without getting sidetracked. Create a list of all the products you’re searching for in order of importance. Zero in on the items you’ve listed and only those ones so you don’t get distracted.
Know when and where to go
Giving yourself time to browse around is the ultimate temptation. Looking up your top brands' best Cyber Monday tech deals can give you a better opportunity at snagging the best products. Some retailers can kick off their hot deals a week beforehand while others may wait till the day.
Research where products are available and when the deals start will help you make informed decisions and give you ample time to find what you’re looking for.
The pitfalls of unpreparedness: missed deals, impulsive spending, stock shortages
The consequences of not being properly prepared for both shopping events could involve missing deals and stock shortages. Let’s take a closer look at what the pitfalls entail.
Missed deals
There are tons of limited-time deals that retailers only present during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, whether they’re online or in-store. Most of the time, we see the most coveted deals going first, so there is a limited window if you don’t do your own research (DYOR) beforehand.
You can avoid the feeling of regret if you happen to miss out on something you’ve been looking forward to all year with just a bit of prep.
Impulsive spending
Knowing that some of the deals you’re seeing are only available for a limited time could also push many people to make unnecessary purchases. However, this won’t be you if you have a clear plan and list of priorities. It will be more difficult for you to get sidetracked. You can successfully avoid purchases that don’t align with your needs.
Stock shortages
The next pitfall you can avoid if you’re well prepared are stock shortages. Hot products often have a limited supply, but you can get your hands on one if you do prior research. You may have to settle for “second best” if you miss a deal. Sometimes it can turn out fine, but there is a chance that these products could become long-term setbacks in terms of quality.
10 tips to score the best deals
How do you find the best Black Friday tech sales? What about Cyber Monday tech deals? Here are our top 10 tips to set you on the right track.
Research early: Understand products and pricing
Some of these tips are reiterations of points we’ve mentioned, but we really can’t stress enough the importance of doing your research early. The research should involve understanding the products you have on your radar and the pricing. How much of a discount are you getting? By knowing how much the products cost before the sale, you can quickly identify worthy discounts.
Understanding the products can also give you a clearer picture of whether the investment is truly worth it. Is it really something you need?
Set a budget: Avoid impulse buying
Researching the initial price and sale of a product can also help you set the correct budget to avoid impulse purchases. It’s so difficult to avoid the discounts that will be everywhere you look, so establishing a clear budget will be paramount to safeguarding your wallet to make sure you don’t break the bank. It will also encourage you to prioritize the important products and stay within a limit.
Subscribe to newsletters: Early bird offers from tech companies
In preparation for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, you can subscribe to tech newsletters to keep your eye out for some early bird deals. As we mentioned, some companies start their deals in advance. By subscribing to weekly or monthly newsletters, you could gain a competitive edge over the other shoppers. It’s all about the strategy!
Use price comparison tools: Ensure the best price
As we evolve in the digital age, so have internet tools that make our lives easier, one of the best ones being price comparison tools. These tools help us effectively compare prices across several retailers with a few clicks. You can find the best deals much easier with the help of these resources. It saves you money, finds you the best deals, and saves a great deal of time as well.
Check for bundle deals: More products at a discounted rate
Be on the lookout for bundle deals. These are deals that outline more products purchased at a greater discount. We mentioned prioritizing and avoiding temptations, but sometimes bundle deals can be worth it. If the products included in the package align with the ones on your list, then you can potentially save a lot.
Bundle deals aren’t all about savings, they’re about convenience as well. You won’t need to look for a laptop, printer and accessories separately when they can come in a bundle at a lower price than they would individually. These deals can surely help you optimize your spending - if you’re looking for various items.
Prioritize trusted brands: Quality over unknown brands
There is a chance unknown brands may offer very alluring deals, but we’d always suggest choosing quality, trusted and reputable brands. A well-known brand usually comes with higher-quality products. Not only that, but they should also come with a more comprehensive warranty and customer protection.
Avoid doorbusters: They might not be the real deal
Doorbuster is a term given to products that are highly discounted, and they’re usually used as bait to lure you through the door. These deals are usually not what they seem and come with fine print that you should clearly read through.
Oftentimes doorbusters are not of the best quality, some may be older models or ones with very limited features. Don’t fall for the attractive price tag without looking further into the product!
Understand return policies: Ensure post-purchase flexibility
Speaking of buyer protection with trusted brands, the return policies on Black Friday and Cyber Monday purchases are of the utmost importance. If you do get sidetracked and make a few impulsive purchases, you want the option to return the items and have that flexibility.
Knowing the return and exchange policies in detail can give you peace of mind on a day that could be filled with frenzy.
Opt for online shopping: Avoid crowds and get more options
While the hustle and bustle of the shopping crowd could be exciting to some, for others it can be a headache. You can always avoid the crowds and browse from the comfort of your own home online.
You also present yourself with a wider range of products because you aren’t limited to a single retailer’s inventory or have to physically browse different stores to find what you’re looking for.
Be wary of too-good-to-be-true deals: Scams and counterfeit products
Our last tip is to be careful of deals that seem too good to be true. Unless it’s from a trusted website or retailer, it could be a signifier of a scam or even counterfeit items. Protect yourself by exercising some caution and don’t fall for incredible prices on shady websites.
Suggestions for your shopping wishlist
Want some suggestions for your holiday shopping list? We have some excellent recommendations for HP Canada Black Friday and HP Canada Cyber Monday purchases!
1. HP ENVY x360 2-in-1 Laptop (14-es0010ca)
This HP ENVY laptop is a great place to start. With its Intel® Core™ i5 1335U processor and 8GB RAM, this slim laptop and its vibrant display can meet all of your entertainment needs.
Shop HP ENVY x360 2-in-1 Laptop (14-es0010ca) Now
2. HP Laptop (14-DQ2200CA)
The HP Laptop (14-DQ2200CA) comes with Windows 11 preinstalled, 512GB solid-state drive (SSD) storage and Intel Iris® Xe Graphics that take a simple device and elevate it to the next level.
Shop HP Laptop (14-DQ2200CA) Now
3. HP Laptop (17-CN3004CA) with Microsoft 365 Personal & Wireless Mouse
The HP Laptop (17-CN3004CA) is an example of what we had in mind when we mentioned bundle deals. It comes with a wireless mouse and Microsoft 365 Personal and more you can consider adding to the package.
4. OMEN 40L (GT21-0174) Gaming PC
Calling all gamers out there to the OMEN 40L (GT21-0174) gaming PC. This PC meets the requirements of popular games you know and love including Forza Horizon 5, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, and Elden Ring. It’s a toolless design that can meet all your gaming needs.
Conclusion
There is no denying that Black Friday and Cyber Monday bring some amazing deals we never see throughout the year, and great chances to upgrade our devices. From setting a budget to prioritizing certain products, our tips will help you navigate these ultimate shopping days with ease and help you locate the best tech deals.
About the Author: Jessica Lin is a contributing writer for HP Tech Takes.