Black Friday is fast approaching, and you won’t want to miss out on the best deals. Friday 23 November 2018 is the date to remember.
Black Friday is just around the corner and it’s the biggest shopping day in America – but you can still take advantage of the bargains while living in Germany. Taking place after the US Thanksgiving holiday, this is the ultimate bargain hunter’s holiday. Thousands of stores across the country throw their doors open early, enticing shoppers in with massive one-off deals and heavy discounts. We’d personally rather avoid the massive crowds and shop from our couch while drinking a cup of tea – which is why we’ve brought you this: the ultimate guide to shopping Black Friday online.
So why does Black Friday matter to Germany?
Because the amazing deals are available here too! Every year, more and more Finnish and international stores are joining in on the Black Friday fun and launching some of their best sales of the year – just in time for Christmas.
What time does Black Friday start in Germany?
This is where it gets a little tricky due to international time zones. Finnish stores will likely start their sales at the beginning of the day on Friday. If you’re looking to purchase from an international retailer, you might have to pay attention to when the day starts in their country since it’s likely that’s when the sale will start too.
When do Black Friday sales end?
Black Friday sales will typically end when retail shopping hours end on the Friday. However, plenty of stores extend their sales across the weekend. Even more stores extend their sales online. If you’re worried you’ve missed out on something, it’s always good to double check which stores are extending their sales.
What is Cyber Monday?
Cyber Monday is the online version of Black Friday, with many retailers offering new or continued bargains online. Last year, shoppers spent a record $2.28bn, and this amount is expected to rise this year.
Why is it called Black Friday?
While many explanations link the name to the fact that retailers operate at a loss or “in the red” from January to November and Black Friday is the day their profits turn around (in the “black”), the name actually dates farther back than that. It began in Philadelphia, when it was used to describe the disruptive swarms of people hitting the streets in search of a bargain.
What is a doorbuster deal?
These are deals or products that are only available at certain times, such as when the doors open first thing in the morning. However, according to Mark LoCastro of DealNews, the majority of doorbuster deals will be available online at a similar (or even cheaper!) price.
Tips and tricks for Germans on Black Friday
- Do your research. Many retailers publish their deals before Black Friday, meaning you have time to consider your options and really find the best bargain. Use a site like finder to see all the best deals in one place.
- Make sure the retailer ships to Germany. It’s always a good idea to check before you get excited over a deal. That being said, you can now take advantage of Germany’s MyUS.com, which provides you with a US postal address to ship items to before having them delivered to Germany.
- Shop around. You might find a better deal elsewhere. For example, Apple is notorious for offering mediocre Black Friday deals, while other stockists selling new or refurbished Apple products might be offering a better discount.
- Don’t forget that electronics might not work. It’s easy to get caught up in the bargains. Some of the best deals in the US revolve around new TVs, but even if you buy one at a massive discount, you’ll probably need an adapter and a transformer… as well as have to deal with the higher shipping cost.