American Consumer Credit Counseling provides six tips on how consumers can best navigate Black Friday and Cyber Monday
Boston, MA – November 25, 2019
Some consumers love the thrill of shopping for deals on Black Friday with the crowds, while others prefer to enjoy Cyber Monday from the comfort of their home. Although Black Friday and Cyber Monday have some of the best deals of the holiday season, it is essential that consumers are realistic when spending. To help navigate the holiday shopping season, national nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) provides tips for shopping on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
“It is important for consumers to have a plan before approaching Black Friday and Cyber Monday,” said Steve Trumble, President, and CEO of American Consumer Credit Counseling. “Having a plan and knowing your budget helps consumers avoid the temptation to overspend. Take the time to do your research, make a list and only buy what you need.”
According to a study by Finder, 86 percent of American consumers are planning to participate in Black Friday and Cyber Monday – 12 percent more than 2018. Although more consumers plan to shop, it is expected that overall spending will drop $3 billion from 2018.
ACCCC helps consumers have a successful Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
- Budget – All those impulse and “but it’s just $2” purchases add up quickly. Consumers should budget before they hit the stores or the internet to ensure they don’t dig themselves into a financial hole.
- Research – Consumers should take the time to research products they know they want to purchase during Black Friday and Cyber Monday in advance and take note of the prices on a couple of different websites for the baseline price. As the discount announcements come out, go back to these websites, and see who is offering the best deal.
- Return policies – Don’t get caught up in the moment and get fooled by the deals. Consumers should ask about the return policy before making their purchase. Knowing this information comes in handy – especially when shopping for gifts for family or friends.
- Hidden costs – Deals, mainly Cyber Monday deals, can look amazing until consumers start adding up the hidden costs, such as shipping, taxes, and other hidden fees to the total price. Consumers should read the fine print and review all charges before purchasing.
- Compare and contrast – Many stores will offer price matching. Compare prices of the same product at several different retailers. If consumers find a better deal at another retailer, they should see if the store will offer a price match.
- Get there early – Black Friday deals usually start early in the morning and can end as early as 10 am. The biggest and hottest items typically fly off the shelves quickly, so consumers should get there early so they don’t miss out.
ACCC is a 501(c)3 organization that provides free credit counseling, bankruptcy counseling, and housing counseling to consumers nationwide in need of financial literacy education and money management. For more information, contact ACCC:
- For credit counseling, call 800-769-3571
- For bankruptcy counseling, call 866-826-6924
- For housing counseling, call 866-826-7180
- Or visit us online at ConsumerCredit.com
About American Consumer Credit Counseling
American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) is a nonprofit credit counseling 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to empowering consumers to achieve financial management through credit counseling, debt management, bankruptcy counseling, housing counseling, student loan counseling and financial education concerning debt solutions. In order to help consumers reach their goal of debt relief, ACCC provides a range of free consumer personal finance resources on a variety of topics including budgeting, credit and debt management, student loan assistance, youth and money, homeownership, identity theft, senior living and retirement. Consumers can use ACCC’s worksheets, videos, calculators, and blog articles to make the best possible decisions regarding their financial future. ACCC holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and is a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling® (NFCC®). For more information or to access free financial education resources, log on to ConsumerCredit.com or visit https://www.consumercredit.com/debt-resources-tools/
