For some, Black Friday is the most loathsome ‘holiday’ of the year. A time all about spending needlessly and the kinds of crowds that are best avoided at all costs. For others, it’s the most exciting couple of weeks on the annual retail calendar.
Whichever side of the fence you stand on, Black Friday bargains are hard to resist. Particularly if there’s something you’ve had your eye on for a while, which could be set for a spectacular price-cut by the end of November. Electric toothbrushes being no exception to the rule, having been practically given away at rock-bottom prices over the past few years.
In a nutshell, it’s pretty simple – Black Friday brings electric toothbrush deals that are impossible to beat. But if you plan to shop for a Black Friday electric toothbrush this year, a little forethought and strategy can go a long way.
Whether you’re new to Black Friday or something of a veteran, here’s how to get the most for your money on the oral hygiene front:
1. Sign up for emails
First up, most major retailers inform their subscribers about the biggest and best deals before anyone else. Email subscribers may also be handed exclusive offers and promos not available elsewhere. So if you’ve got your eye on a couple of choice retailers, think about signing up their mailing lists. Don’t forget – you can always unsubscribe after, if you’d prefer to avoid their marketing emails.
2. Make a list
Making a list is one of the best ways of preventing yourself from losing control. If you dive into the sales gung-ho, you could end up with more than you bargained for…literally! If you’re out to buy a Bluetooth electric toothbrushand a powered water flosser, that’s all you should be buying. Not four TVs and three microwaves, just because they were on sale with 75% discounts. Make a list, check it twice and stick to it like glue!
3. Don’t take anything for granted
Always remember that the biggest and best deals advertised by sellers around Black Friday are available in VERY limited quantities. In fact, it’s not unusual for a major promo – 90% off X and Y – to apply exclusively to the first 10 units. After which, the price shoots up once again. This is why it’s important not to rely too heavily on Black Friday. You could set your sights on a £100 electric toothbrush that’s now just £20, only to find stocks were wiped out long ago. Hence, you should have a backup plan in place, just in case you’re out of luck.
4. Check prices online
Some retailers use Black Friday to make their products look cheaper than they actually are. You walk into a store, you see a £50 water flosser that’s on sale for £25 and you’re sold. Despite the fact that the same water flosser might be sold online for £20 at its everyday selling price. Bargains are great, but discount stickers can also be hugely misleading. You’ll have your phone with you…of course…so be sure to check whether or not you’re actually getting a good deal.
5. Shop online instead
On that note, you might find that the best deals on electric toothbrushes and other dental devices don’t come via the usual Black Friday sales. Instead, it’s all about Cyber Monday for these kinds of things. Though the two events now overlap quite massively, online deals and discounts often surpass those of High Street stores. Once those ‘door-buster’ deals in limited quantities are gone, you might find the High Street take on Black Friday a little disappointing. And of course, the appeal of completely avoiding the crowds by shopping online is self-explanatory.
6. Check returns policies
In some instances, retailers amend their returns policies for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Inexplicable and not exactly fair, but the way things work nonetheless. As such, it’s up to you to check the returns policies of the retailers you intend to shop with, just in case you change your mind. If there’s any sign of a Black Friday clause that makes returning goods more difficult, it’s probably a retailer to steer clear of.
7. Beware overseas electronics
Black Friday and Cyber Monday have gone global – big time. Hence, head online and you’ll find tens of thousands of retailers looking to separate you from your cash. Search for an electric toothbrush and you’ll be spoilt for choice. The problem being that those seemingly too-good-to-be-true deals from overseas sellers usually are. Particularly when it comes to unknown brands and retailers from the Far East, it really isn’t worth taking chances. Likewise, a £100 brush being sold for £10 from an overseas seller should always set alarm bells ringing. Unless it’s a brand name, model and retailer you can trust, beware bargains from overseas.
8. Stock up
If there are any other gift-giving occasions coming up, why not build yourself a bit of an inventory? As mentioned, buying just for the sake of buying is never a good idea. That said, if there’s a birthday coming up in December, an anniversary in January and so on, you might as well make a few savings while you can. One of the best things about electric toothbrushes and the like being their suitability for any recipient and any occasion.
9. Research your options
There are (literally) thousands of electric toothbrushes doing the rounds these days. All of which are not suitable for every user’s requirements and preferences. As these are technically ‘health tools’ you’re looking to buy, it only makes sense to research your options carefully. Sensitive teeth, whiter teeth, gentle cleaning, Bluetooth connectivity – there’s a perfect brush for everyone, if you take the time to find it!
10. Don’t forget the kids
Last but not least, dentists advise that kids get started with (supervised) electric brushing from as early as three years old. Hence, Black Friday is the perfect time to step-up your kids’ oral health and hygiene. They’re unlikely to welcome a toothbrush as a Christmas gift, but still…at least you know it’s for their own good!
