BLACK
FRIDAY!
Are you real? A myth? A scam?
Black Friday is a phenomenon—a fever dream of slashed prices, fast clicks, and questionable choices. It’s a day where even the most careful spenders flirt with chaos, chasing the thrill of a good deal. But here’s the thing: if you don’t have a plan, you’ll get eaten alive by marketing hype, dodgy discounts, and the lingering regret of buying something completely useless. It might not be the mythical ideal day of shopping its purported to be but hey, if you’re going to do it; here’s how to navigate the madness like a pro, keep your sanity intact, and maybe even save some cash.
SAVE DAT MONEY
1. Budget Like It’s an Art Form
Black Friday isn’t about saving money; it’s about making you feel like you are. Retailers know this, and they’re brilliant at it. If you’re not careful, you’ll end up “saving R1,000” on a TV you didn’t need and can’t afford. The only way to win this game is to set a hard limit before you start shopping. Pick a number that makes sense—one that won’t have you eating plain 2 minute noodles for the rest of the month—and stick to it like your life depends on it.
YOU GOTTA KNOOOOW!
2. The List: A Weapon of Mass Focus
Winging it on Black Friday is a rookie mistake. Without a list, you’ll spiral into an abyss of impulse buys and regret. Think about what you actually need. Be specific. Is it a new laptop? A decent pair of headphones? Shoes? 60% off a plane ticket to go to Bali, get smashed on Bin Tangs, crash a rented scooter and create an everlasting memory of sun, sea and a slight sense of shame? Whatever it is, write it down. This list isn’t just a guideline; it’s your survival kit. Keep it close, and don’t let the siren call of unnecessary “deals” lead you astray. You may think the 80% off the Garfield LMTD EDT Cellphone Cover is something you absolutely need but let’s be honest, you really, really don’t.
Something smells fishy, and it ain’t the 98% Off Deals on Snoek
3. Sniff Out the Scams
Black Friday in South Africa can be a bit of a con. That shiny “40% off” banner? Half the time, it’s just the regular price dressed up to look special. Retailers know that most people won’t check, so they inflate prices before the sale and then slap on a fake discount. Do your research. Use tools like PriceCheck to track prices ahead of time, and don’t fall for marketing smoke and mirrors.
If it feels dodgy, it probably is.
YOU GOT MAIL! YOU GOT MAIL! YOU GOT MAIL!
4. Embrace the Spam (For Now)
Look, nobody likes newsletters clogging up their inbox. But in the world of Black Friday, they’re a necessary evil. Sign up for your favourite brands’ mailing lists now—you’ll get early access to deals, exclusive discounts, and maybe even a cheeky promo code. Once the chaos dies down, you can unsubscribe and cleanse your inbox of the capitalist noise. For now, though, let the spam work for you.
HAHA WILL DELETE NEXT WEEK
5. Apps: Your Low-Key Secret Weapon
“Apps are where it’s at” said some whiteboy marketing chad called Kyle and now, hey, apps are where it’s at (apparently). South African retailers love rewarding app users with exclusive deals, pre-sales, and loyalty perks. The apps can be clunky and annoying, sure, but they’re worth it for that extra edge. Download them, log in, and set notifications for when sales drop. Once you’ve grabbed your bargains, delete them like deleting Tinder.
MORE LIKE BLACK THURSDAY…
6. Don’t Wait for Friday - Timing Is Everything
Here’s a pro tip: most Black Friday sales in South Africa start well before the actual day. Retailers love teasing “early access” deals, and if you’re quick, you can score some of the best items before the shelves (or virtual carts) are emptied. Start checking your favourite stores from the Monday of Black Friday week, and don’t be shy about pulling the trigger early if you see what you want. Many online retailers also drop new deals throughout the day, so check back during lunchtime or after work. The early bird catches the worm, but the savvy shopper might catch a price drop at 4 p.m. The best time though? Not Friday morning after 08:00 AM or even 07:00 AM, but actually 00:00 AM till 02:00. Trust me, for that extra 10% its worth it.
I PROMISE I AM REAL
7. Keep Your Cyber Wits About You
Black Friday is a playground for online scammers, and they know exactly how to bait you. Dodgy websites, fake “too-good-to-be-true” offers, and phishing links are everywhere. Stick to reputable sites with proper security (look for the padlock icon in the URL), and never, ever click on random deals in your email unless you’re 100% sure they’re legit. Watch out for IG and Facebook ads too! There are a lot of dodgy fake sites out there. Feeling unsure? Google ‘the company name legit?’ and let the internet help you make a decision. Trust your gut—if it feels sketchy, it’s probably a scam.
BUY NOW OR NEVER GET AGAIN UNTIL NEXT BLACK FRIDAY
8.Don’t Let FOMO Wreck You
Black Friday thrives on FOMO (fear of missing out) and misinformation. Every ad screams, “Once it’s gone, it’s gone!” But here’s the truth: it’s not. Black Friday isn’t actually good on Friday. Black Friday is really better on Thursday Night (12:00AM) Friday Morning. And if you miss THESE deals? Well, Cyber Monday’s just around the corner, and festive sales will be here before you know it. Don’t let the hype trick you into panic buying. Stay calm, stick to your plan, and trust that there will always be another deal.
