Black Friday Buying Guide

While Black Friday was originally an American tradition, it has found a fond place in the UK.

In fact, Cyber Monday, which is the following week, is also now recognised internationally.

Many consumers wonder how to prepare for Black Friday. With an increasing number of retailers offering Black Friday deals, it's best to think about this in advance to make the most of the savings available to consumers.

With Black Friday 2019 expected to be the longest event so far in terms of how long certain sales will last, it is even more necessary to organise your plan of action for the sales beforehand. By getting a head start on preparations, you'll be able to take advantage of early deals that other consumers will miss out on.

We've put together a useful buying guide to help you ensure you are able to make the most of Black Friday and Cyber Monday offers.

When is Black Friday?

First, it's important to know when Black Friday is. This year, Black Friday will officially fall on 29 November, with some retailers having sales running ahead of the weekend. There are some things you can do beforehand to increase your chances of getting the best deals.

1. Create a Wishlist

With so many retailers providing deals, it can be a bit overwhelming and a lot of time can be spent deciding where you want to shop. Making a wish list for Black Friday, so you know what it is you are looking for before 29 November will mean you can be one of the first ones to find the deals.

We recommend starting a wish list that includes what you would like to purchase and a few retailers who you might be able to purchase the product from. That way, when the day actually starts, you'll be able to easily compare offers to see which of the relevant retailers has the best Black Friday deals.

While some retailers, like Amazon, will allow you to create wishlists to store gift ideas for both yourself and your friends and family, others will not have this option. One way around this would be to add any items to favourites or save items that you wish to come back to on the day. This is something that many companies offer as a free service on their websites.

If you'd prefer to have a comprehensive list of retailers that offer Black Friday deals, you could put together a personalised one that includes information about all the products you wish to purchase.

Whether you're looking for a new laptop, a pearl bracelet or an engagement ring for your loved one, creating a wish list will mean you don't spend precious time trying to decide where to shop on Black Friday.

2. Research Products on your Wishlist

Whichever items you're planning on buying this Black Friday, we advise you to research the items first. This will help you to ensure that you don't purchase items which aren't fantastic quality. Just because a site is offering products on Black Friday for less than the RRP, doesn't automatically make it a good deal.

When it comes to buying diamond jewellery, for example, make sure you know about the 4Cs and how they relate to the quality of diamonds. With 10% off Diamond Heaven purchases with no minimum spend during Black Friday, you'll find great deals on jewellery items without compromising on quality.

3. Put in the Hours

Whether you'd prefer to shop from when the sale starts, which is usually around midnight, or wake up really early the following morning, it's best to try and miss the Black Friday crowds as much as possible.

The same can be said for online Black Friday deals. There will be times when retailers' websites are more susceptible to crashing due to a sudden influx of user traffic. Try to time it so you aren't looking on each website at the busiest time. This may mean visiting the more prominent retailers' Black Friday sale sites at unsociable hours, such as in the early hours of the morning. It is also important to think about the time difference if you are shopping on any international websites.

4. Consider Cyber Monday

While some retailers will provide the same offer across Black Friday and Cyber Monday, others may choose to distinguish between the two.

This year, Cyber Monday falls the week after Black Friday, on 2 December. However, which deal works out better for you may depend on which retailers you wish to consider and which products you're looking for.

Cyber Monday deals may be when a site-wide offer is available, with some retailers using Black Friday to concentrate on providing competitive prices for their tech offering.

5. Beware of Fraudsters

At a time of year when so many sales take place, there will be a number of scams that you need to avoid.

If any website asks for your bank account details, offers suspiciously low prices for a product or doesn't seem to have any contact details, it's best to find an alternative option. You should also be wary of sponsored ads on social media sites, as certain ones may not be genuine and may be known to sell fake items.

If you're unsure of whether a particular site or deal is legitimate, it's better to be on the safe side and buy your desired item from an authorised seller. At Diamond Heaven, we pride ourselves on providing reliable customer service and value for money. We are also a Member of the NA. Our jewellery is independently tested and hallmarked to ensure quality and to offer peace of mind to our customers.

Whether you're looking for a stunning pair of diamond earrings or a sophisticated diamond pendant featuring your favourite gemstone, we offer competitive prices without compromising on quality.

From 8 November to 30 November, we'll also be offering a 10% discount as part of Black Friday build up. Simply use the code CYBER10 at checkout, which entitles you to enjoy this exclusive discount with no minimum spend required. If you'd prefer to visit our Birmingham, London, Manchester, Glasgow or Cardiff branches, we'll also honour the discount on purchases made in-store. Just present your discount code email to an experienced member of our team.