Cyber Monday was introduced by the National Retail Federation back in 2005, and since then, it’s become one of the biggest shopping days on the calendar. The first Monday after Thanksgiving can be a great day to work on your holiday shopping with deals on everything from clothes to appliances to tablets. But with so many offers available, scoring a sweet price on Cyber Monday isn’t always so simple. Let’s look at some ways to help ensure you save money on Cyber Monday deals this year.
1. Sign up for retailer emails before Black Friday
If you want to know about Cyber Monday deals ahead of time, consider signing up for promotional emails from your favorite retailer. Sometimes, cyber Monday deals might not be advertised until the last second, sometimes not even until after Black Friday. Retailers are likely to promote deals directly to their most loyal customers via email. Sign up for these emails before Thanksgiving to make sure you’re on the list.
If you’re worried about overloading your inbox, consider setting up a separate email account just for deals and promotions, or using filters in your primary inbox to keep your important messages from being buried. You can always unsubscribe if you keep getting emails from a brand you rarely buy from. Most promotional emails feature an unsubscribe button at the bottom of the message, and some email services will let you unsubscribe from a retailer’s promotions in one click.
2. Find coupons automatically and track prices
Technology has made it easier than ever to find coupons and deals, especially around Cyber Monday. If you’re a Citi® cardmember, you can use the exclusive Citi Shop℠ browser extension to apply eligible coupons at checkout automatically. You can use the extension on retailers across the web and receive savings in the form of a credit on your next statement.
Don’t forget to use a price tracker to stay on top of how good that Cyber Monday discount really is. Some retailers may use tricky tactics like raising prices right before a sale to make the discount look deeper or touting how a price is “ending soon” to drive impulse buys without actually offering a discount.
3. Follow your favorite brands
Following brands and retailers on social media is a great way to stay on top of Cyber Monday deals. You might find exclusive coupons or limited-time giveaways that aren’t announced anywhere else. Also, keep an eye out for independent social media accounts and ecommerce websites that post deals from across the web. These accounts make it easy to find discounts on a wide variety of goods without having to keep track of multiple different websites.
