Black Friday Shopping Checklist

22 items · Personal Finance · Easy difficulty · 2 hours

Plan Black Friday and Cyber Monday purchases: a list and budget, price notes, return policies, safe payment, and tracking orders after the sale.

• List what you actually need or plan to give

  Put each person's name next to their gifts.

• Set a total spending limit

  Include shipping, tax and any buy now, pay later installments in the total.

• Give each item on the list its own price cap
• Note the current price and model number of every item

  A screenshot with the date works.

• Set price alerts or add the items to store wish lists
• Check which stores you will shop and when their sales start

  Many stores start online deals before Black Friday, some of them weeks before Thanksgiving on November 26.

• Read each store's return window for holiday purchases

  Some stores extend it into January and some exclude sale items. Know which before you buy.

• Check whether the store gives a price adjustment if the price drops later

  Many policies exclude Black Friday and doorbuster prices.

• Sign in to your store accounts and update the shipping address
• Decide which card you will pay with

  In the US, a credit card gives you stronger dispute rights than a debit card if an order goes wrong.

• Type store addresses yourself instead of clicking links in deal emails or texts

  Scam emails and fake shop sites often copy real Black Friday offers.

• Check an unfamiliar seller's reviews and contact details before paying
• Compare each sale price with the price you noted
• Confirm the model number matches the one you priced
• Add up the cart against your spending limit before checking out
• Ask for gift receipts on anything you are giving
• Save every order confirmation in one email folder
• Note each delivery estimate next to the item on your list
• Pick store pickup or a delivery signature for expensive items

  A package left on a doorstep can be gone before you get home.

• Cross items off the list as they are bought
• Open and test anything that might go back before the return window closes
• Check your card statement against your saved orders

  Dispute a charge you do not recognize or an order that never arrived as soon as you spot it.

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