Cyber Week Shopping Tips

The deals are coming in hot, and you don’t want to miss any of them. Here are my Top 10 Tips for navigating Cyber Week Shopping.

For all the early deals that have already begun, check out this complete Cyber Week early deals list of your favorite retailers, which I will update daily!

Cyber Week Shopping Tips

1. Be aware of the “new” Cyber Week

Black Friday used to be the traditional start date for Cyber Week.  Now, Cyber Week begins a whole week before Black Friday!

Most retailers are kicking off their 2024  CYBER WEEK SALE on Thursday, November 28th!

Right now, there are all kinds of sitewide deals, special daily deals, and extra special Black Friday (Nov. 29th),  and Cyber Monday (Dec. 2) deals!

2. Make a List

Know in advance what you would like to buy. If you need a casual outfit or something to wear to a holiday party, read through posts, check out featured items at the retailer’s website by clicking on the links, and narrow things down so that when the deals are posted and available, you’re ready.

3. Use Promo Codes

Wherever you can, use promo codes to get an even better deal over and above what’s posted. Most stores have them listed on the front page of their site. Some retailers have done away with them altogether meaning once it is in your cart you will see the extra discount. Be sure to check.

4. Sign-Up in Advance

Cyber Week deals go fast. Save precious time by signing in as soon as possible and giving them all your shipping information, so when you are ready to buy, all you need to do is log in and go.

5. Pre-Load Your Shopping Cart

And speaking of doing things in advance, some sites let you pre-load your shopping cart before the sale begins. Take advantage of this where you can – you’ll save lots of time on Cyber Monday.

6. Save Your Receipts, Order Confirmations, and Shipping Boxes

This will make tracking delivery and doing exchanges and returns that much easier.

7. Double-Check Shipping Costs

Some, but not all, stores offer free or discounted shipping costs during Cyber Week. Keep an eye open for that. And beware of shipping ‘deals,’ an upsell technique some retailers use, promising you free shipping if you buy a certain dollar amount of items. It’s great if you need everything you’re buying, but it’s not a deal if you end up with more stuff you need or want.

8. Double Check Shipping Deadlines

Shop early to avoid delays in shipping gifts. Most retailers recommend these dates as deadlines for ordering:

USPS: The following are shipping dates and deadlines for the contiguous United States:

• Ground Advantage Service: Dec. 18
• First Class Mail Service: Dec. 18
• Priority Mail Service: Dec. 19
• Priority Express Mail Service: Dec. 21

UPS: The following are the recommended last days for shipping gifts domestically for Dec. 24 delivery:

• Ground: Check the UPS website for a quote.
• 3-Day Select: Dec. 10
• 2nd Day Air: Dec. 20
• Next Day Air: Dec. 23

Note: UPS says its service guarantee is suspended on most packages but that starting Oct. 18. Until further notice, it has made some “operational adjustments,” which include extending delivery commitment times for UPS Next Day Air from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

FedEx shipping deadlines for holiday packages

The following are the last days to ship gifts within the U.S.:

• FedEx Home Delivery, FedEx Ground: Dec. 17
• FedEx Express Saver, FedEx 3Day Freight: Dec. 19
• FedEx 2Day: Dec. 20
• FedEx 1Day Freight, FedEx Extra Hours: Dec. 23
• FedEx SameDay: Dec. 24

9. Keep your Eye on the Deals of the Day

Limited-time deals of the day are most popular at Amazon. Visit this link daily to shop the sales. I have my favorite daily deals at my Amazon shop so you can check there too.

10. If Something Is Sold Out, Check these Alternatives

If I love something that is sold out in one store, rather than give up, I check a few other retailers. Many carry the same brands, and you might have luck elsewhere. For example, I find Nordstrom and Amazon overlap quite a bit, and sometimes Zappos does too.

Over to you. Are you a Cyber Week veteran or a newbie? If so, any tips you’d care to share? Or do you steer clear altogether?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Check back on the blog all week as I bring you some of my favorite deals.