5 Tricks To Conquer Online Black Friday Sales In Nigeria

Black Friday! This year, November 27th has been marked out by most online stores in Nigeria for the mind-blowing annual shopping event.

Originally known as an American holiday, the shopping tradition seeped its way into Nigeria a few years ago and has since become one of busiest shopping days of holiday season. Online shops like Jovago, and Jumia have already started their discount extravaganza, with all kinds of pre-Black Friday sales and promotions ready to lure you in with the latest “must-have” deal.

No doubt, a lot of people are looking forward to this mega online sales event, but there are a few that are a bit hesitant to join in on the spree, as they consider the whole experience overwhelming and have no clue as to how they can go about it successfully. For these set of people, Jovago.com, Africa’s No. 1 hotel booking site comes to the rescue with a list of 5 tricks that will help anyone get a taste of the deal haven tagged ‘Black Friday’.

Engage in prior research
A certain way to get the items on your list is to check out the online stores beforehand and do a bit of pre-shopping investigation to ensure you know how its website is structured – categories, sorting, checking out, payment procedures, e.t.c.

Many of the e-commerce websites already provide a list of the products or display the discounts they will be making before the sale begins and so exploring the e-shop allows you to check out where items are located so you know exactly where to go on Friday morning. Prior research also gives you a chance to compare prices of the items you really want between the different stores.

Understand the store policies before you make purchase
Ensure you understand the store’s sale policies. Some shops have separate policies forBlack Friday than would normally apply on regular days. Consider policies on returns, use of coupons and price adjustments. Also, find out if you can buy and pay later or you necessarily have to pay online via credit card or other money transfer programs.

Most stores usually highlight these policies before the sales begin, that way you can refrain from making purchases at the store if you find the policies unfitting or unfavorable. Many of these online stores also list their phone numbers in case you want to call in for better clarifications.

The early bird eats the worm
Shopping online offers a completely different experience from shopping in-store. In-store, you can jump lines, steal from another person’s trolley, bribe attendants, hide products or even haggle; however, online, the computer does the trading on your behalf and the only way you can get ultimate advantage is by showing up early.

Arriving early opens you up to more options and gives you the opportunity to have your transaction processed early as online sales run on a “first come, first serve” basis. Also, some stores offer extra savings and give-aways such as free airport pick-ups to early risers. While others give gifts and special coupons to those who log on early to the store.

Divide and conquer
While you are online shopping for the items on your list, it is important to note that other people are also online trying to get their hands on the same product as you. And in cases where the item is limited in number, you might lose out on your chance in buying that item if you are tied up purchasing other items before it.

While this situation is unavoidable with online purchases, it can be curbed. Recruit a friend or two to assist with your shopping for the day. Divide the list so that each person has specific items to buy. Each friend logs on to the shop’s website on different computers and buy whatever item is on their list. This saves time and increases your chances at securing all the deals you are keen on getting.

Utilize relevant apps
Most times shopping with the store app rather than directly from their website online might be much more advantageous. A lot of stores offer certain hot deals exclusively to their app subscribers as well as unique voucher codes, and so, using their app offers the user a wider shopping spectrum and gives a unique advantage.

There other apps that might be helpful to the Black Friday shopper in Nigeria, these apps are mostly phone apps which can help you figure out which stores have the best deals as well as price comparison apps which help you compare prices in various stores before making purchase.