Although holiday shopping has shifted toward online purchases over the last several years, the exhilaration customers feel from getting seasonal deals hasn’t changed. Despite pandemic challenges and supply issues, Black Friday and Cyber Monday continue going strong every year, providing great deals and generating revenue for the world’s premier tech companies.
   
Many consumers buy TVs, phones, video games, and more during the holidays because of the steep discounts available. However, sometimes a deal isn’t as good as it seems. This guide will explore the best ways to buy technology during the holidays to ensure you get the best price.
 

  

TIPS FOR GETTING A GOOD DEAL ON TECHNOLOGY DURING THE HOLIDAYS
The hype surrounding holiday shopping raises the question: is the fuss warranted or is it just a ploy to get us to spend more money? The answer is that savvy shoppers can snag amazing deals on tech between Thanksgiving Day and the Saturday before Christmas.

Various factors, including the timing of new technology releases and special sale days, make the holidays ideal to get electronics at a discount. Use the following tips to get the most bang for your buck in your quest for deals on technology.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ESTABLISHED SALE DAYS
The consensus among shoppers and retailers alike is that Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the peak days for excellent deals on technology. However, if you can’t shop on either of those days, don’t worry. A trend over the last several years is that most companies open their holiday sales online and in store on Thanksgiving Day and extend them through the following week. As a result, Black Friday and Cyber Monday have more or less morphed into a week-long opportunity for consumers.   

NEW MODELS MEAN GREAT PRICES
Companies often push new electronics in the holiday season. For those wanting the latest and greatest, this is a double benefit because new product rollouts typically come with exclusive deals. Older models also become significantly cheaper. So, if you can live without the most updated camera on your smartphone or the best TV screen resolution, you can grab last year’s tech at a discount.

The most anticipated video games and next-generation consoles usually come out in November, meaning the holidays are often the best time to obtain the newest consoles. You can also purchase games and systems from previous years at a discount because new titles take the lion’s share of attention and excitement. Plan ahead, as all of these items sell out quickly.

SUPER SATURDAY CAN BE YOUR SAVING GRACE
Between family time and holiday events, shopping over Thanksgiving weekend can be a challenge. Luckily, Super Saturday can bail out everyone who misses the deals at the end of November. Typically, brick-and-mortar stores and online retailers have Black Friday-esque deals on the Saturday before Christmas that can help you nab the best gifts without breaking the bank.

     

DO RETAILERS DISCOUNT NEW MODELS DURING THE HOLIDAYS?
The holidays are renowned for concurrent deals on new technology offered by many retailers. That said, Thanksgiving weekend isn’t necessarily the best or only time for deals on certain electronics. Keep the following in mind when contemplating a new tech purchase.

Research Your Retailer
Each retailer schedules its sales differently throughout the year. However, most companies generally target holidays for special deals and promotions. For example, although Apple usually doesn’t give deals on Black Friday—they have back-to-school specials for new laptops around July 4th and Labor Day weekend. Plus, some distributors, such as Best Buy, often offer their own deals on Apple products during the holidays, even if Apple isn’t offering its own promotions.

Go By Industry
Remember, companies usually put out new video games and consoles in November. Therefore, Thanksgiving weekend is one of the best times to get new games and systems as holiday gifts.

But while this timing is specific to the video game industry, it may not be so for other electronics, or even appliances. For example, if you want to buy a new washer or dryer, buying in September or October will get you a better deal because that’s when new models are released in that retail sector.

Don’t Impulse Shop
While you might see some tantalizing items as you walk through your favorite tech store, you probably won’t get the best deal at that particular moment. It's a good idea to step back, do your homework on a new product, and time your purchase for when you can save the most money. Buying a new gadget on the spot might be exciting, but it isn’t the best for your wallet.