Black Friday got its name from the spike in sales after a retail slump of eleven months of losses. This recovery was referred to by retailers as being pushed “into the black”. In the pre-Internet days, US retailers would refer to “doorbuster” deals, as shoppers would force their store doors open. The holiday has mostly skipped South Africa, until a huge surge of similar doorbusting experiences began around 5 years ago – leading to similar injures as those seen in the US.
However, one doesn’t have to get in harm’s way to get a deal. In fact, many of the deals have already started in the online-only space, from Takealot’s Blue Dot Sale to Incredible Connection’s early deals.
With the biggest discount holiday coming up tomorrow, we’ve gathered the best tips (and deals) one should look out for this Black Friday.
FNB – Stay within your means
Although FNB has a strong credit facility for its clients, it’s warning customers to be prudent in a downgraded economy.
FNB CEO Jacques Celliers says: “Year-end presents consumers with temptations to overspend, but it is prudent to keep one eye on budget plans for 2020. Those who have funds can still capitalise on opportunities such as Black Friday to make once-off purchases at lower prices, however it’s important to remember that the festive season period is very long.”
Visa – Careful how you shop
Payments giant Visa has outlined five tips to make sure consumers get what they purchase this Black Friday. Scammers have kicked it into high gear, so following these tips can make one less prone to being scammed.
Avoid open public Wi-Fi
Although many South Africans connect using public Wi-Fi, buying a little bit of data could save users from a lot of headaches later on. Only connect to Wi-Fi networks that have a password to connect, otherwise it could leave one’s information vulnerable to other users on the network.
Don’t click on ads
Many websites are pretending to be well-known retailers, and “spoof” a similar looking website to steal card information. To stay safe, rather visit the retailer’s website by typing in the URL or visit their app to verify the deal.
Buy from places you know
Check with friends if they have used the online service and had a good experience. There will be many fly-by-night stores opening shop for Black Friday.
Look out for HTTP and HTTPS
Legitimate retailers will always use HTTPS, a secure version of HTTP, to keep you safe. In the address bar, depending on the browser, it will show a locked lock or say “Not Secure”. Never shop at sites that say not secure in the address bar.
Keep your phone handy
If your bank hasn’t set up SMS alerts for transactions and 3D Secure approval, visit it now to activate it. Even if you aren’t shopping this Black Friday, keep an eye out for transactions, as cyber criminals will attempt to hide transactions they make among the transactions you may be making.
OneDayOnly – Get prepared in advance
Matthew Leighton, spokesperson at OneDayOnly.co.za, has come up with five of the tips for getting ready this Black Friday:
Know your websites
Leighton says: “Familiarise yourself with the website the day before– that means pre-logging into the website of your choice and for the extra-attentive, pre-loading your payment details. That way you can focus all your energy on the deals on the day.
Pull an all-nighter
“Our sale is from midnight to midnight. 00:00:01 is when we officially ‘open our doors’ and sales continue until stocks run out or midnight rolls around. Hit the caffeine and try stay up until midnight. You are automatically guaranteed to be one of the first to see the deals as they go live.
Make a shopping list of items you want
“A shopping list always helps – it’s a great way to keep track of what you want so you’re not wasting time.
Pre-load your payment details
“The longest part of the checkout process is completing your payment method which can be pre-saved beforehand. It just means you can go from browsing to checkout as quickly as possible.
Check out or miss out
“This is the biggest day for deals and if you think that Samsung 65″ UHD TV will still be there when you return, you need to rethink your game plan. Having an item in your cart does not secure it. You need to check out or miss out.”
Visit the next page to see our shopping list of deals for Black Friday.
Our Shopping List
Movies – Ster Kinekor
Deals start now for Black Friday only
Watch a movie for R45, with a small popcorn and soda combo for R25 at any Ster-Kinekor cinema (excluding D-BOX, IMAX and Cine Prestige). That’s R70 to kick back with popcorn and a drink and watch enthralling releases such as Knives Out, Playing with Fire, The Good Liar, 21 Bridges, Charlies Angels, Black & Blue, Doctor Sleep and Ford vs. Ferrari.
Tech – Incredible Connection
Most deals have started for online only until 1 December
With the majority of Incredible Connection’s deals already available now, one can shop now for special prices on online deals. Our personal favourites include:
- R700 off Apple AirPods at R2,299,
- R5000 off the Samsung Galaxy S10e (Dual SIM) at R9,999, and
- R1300 off an Xbox One S 1TB with an extra controller at R4,699.
Tech – Apple Products at iStore
In-store only from 29 November to 1 December
iPhones, MacBooks and Apple Watches are on special this Black Friday, with most of the deals falling into the contract range. Our personal favourites include:
- R1500 off the Apple Watch Series 3 38mm at R3999.
- Just over R600 off the iPhone 6s 32GB on Vodacom uChoose Flexi 175. The total contract instalments come to R5364 including Vodacom benefits, while it costs R5999 upfront.
- Just over R400 off the iPhone 8 64Gb on Vodacom uChoose Flexi 175. The total contract instalments come to R9576 including Vodacom benefits, while it costs R9999 upfront
Tech – Takealot Blue Dot Sale
Deals have started until 29 November
The Blue Dot Sale is Takealot’s spin on Black Friday and comes with some impressive deals. Our personal favourites are:
- R1500 off a Fitbit Versa fitness tracker at R2,499,
- R150 off a Microlab Power Air wireless charging mat at R199, and
- R4100 off a Huawei P10 (Dual SIM) at R3,899.
Tech – Acer South Africa Online Store
Starting 29 December until 2 December
Acer has dropped the price of its high-performance computers this Black Friday. Our personal favourites are
- R20000 off the Predator Helios 500 (Intel i9) at R34,999,
- R4000 off the Nitro 5 (Intel i5) at R11,999, and
- R2000 off the Acer Aspire 3 (Intel i3) for R4,999.
Apparel – Superbalist
Deals last from 29 November until 3 December
Although no deals have been released yet, Superbalist is likely to have some of the best Black Friday deals in the online apparel space.
Ride Sharing – Uber and Makro
29 November only
Uber has partnered with Makro to give users up to R50 off 2 Uber rides when requesting a ride to and from Makro store between 27 November – 1 December 2019 using promo code MAKROBLACK5DAY.
Gaming – Bethesda
Various digital platforms on 29 November
Game developer and publisher Bethesda is discounting its games by up to 75% at digital storefronts, including Bethesda.net, Steam, Microsoft Store, PlayStation Store, and the Nintendo eShop. From Bethesda.net,
- Doom has been discounted by $14, from $20 to $6,
- The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim has been discounted by $20, from $40 to $20, and
- Fallout 4 has been discounted by $42, from $60 to $18.
Travel – TravelStart Flights
Promotion runs on 29 November
Air tickets have also been discounted when one books through TravelStart. The most affordable one-way routes start at:
- R399 from Joburg to Durban
- R599 from Cape Town to East London
- R999 from Joburg to Cape Town
Remote Agriculture – Fedgroup Impact Farming
Promotions run from 29 November to 2 December
For a limited time, Fedgroup is offering bundles of one solar panel and 20 blueberry bushes, valued at R11 000, for R1 000 less on the Impact Farming App. Only 1400 bundles will be made available, so get in early while stocks last.
Gaming – Nintendo
Promotions run from 29 November to 2 December
Nintendo is having its own Black Friday specials where the items aren’t discounted, but include freebies to the value of up to R1000.
Our favourite deals are:
- Purchase a Switch (R5999) or Switch Lite (R3999) console as well as a game valued at R999, and receive a bag, hat/beanie, shit, and a Nintendo Labo free with it.
- Get the booster bundle by picking up two Nintendo games valued at R999 each and get a free Hori Pad controller with it.
- Get a Nintendo Switch console for R5999 and get a free Nintendo Labo free with it.
Tech – Cellucity
Promotions run from 29 November to 2 December
Cellucity has some impressive discounts on audio accessories this Black Friday. For the full set of deals, visit https://cellucity.co.za/black-friday/.
Our favourite deals are:
- R900 off Sony WH1000XM3 noise cancelling headphones at R4999
- R400 off an Amazon Echo Dot 3rd Gen Speaker at R1099
- R600 off Plantronics BackBeat Go 600 headphones at R899
Tech – Samsung Store
Promotions run from 28 November to 2 December, only at Samsung Stores.
Samsung is going big on deals in its Samsung Stores this year. If you’re in need of a new TV, tablet, or kitchen appliance, the Samsung Store will probably provide one of the best Black Friday deals available.
Our favourites are:
- R10 000 off a 65” QLED Samsung TV (Q60R) at R14 999.
- R500 off a 50L Samsung Mirror Microwave at R1 699.
- R2 000 off a Galaxy Tab A 10.1 at R3 999.