How to Shop for Cyber Monday Deals
All the trips, tricks and trends you need
to know.
SHARON FEIEREISEN @MetroNewYork [email protected]
We already know the long weekend from Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday is the most popular time for holiday shopping, but it might surprise you just how popular – a whopping 50% of consumers plan to spend part of their celebration shopping, according to the shop- ping and savings site Re- tailMeNot.
“Low price is the top priority for 83% of shop- pers, followed by the lure of deals and promo- tions,” says Sara Skirboll, RetailMeNot’s shopping and trends expert.
Last year on Cyber Monday, PayPal pro- cessed $25,000 in pay- ment volume and 450 payments per second and, based on their re- search, digital spending is expected to grow even more this year.
What can you do to score the best deals?
For starters, Skirboll suggests following all of your favorite retailers on social media and signing up for their newsletters. “They sometimes will post special sales and of- fers exclusively for their followers,” she says.
Another trick, she says, is this two-step ap- proach: purchase a dis- counted gift card for the retailer you plan to shop with to score an instant average savings of 10% or more. Then, combine the gift card with a pro- mo code or digital rebate at checkout.
You’ll also want to check out sites like Cou- ponSherpa.com, which have a page dedicated to Cyber Monday coupons.
As far as what to shop for, according to RetailMeNot’s data, this year computer/electron- ics will be on average 48% off, clothing, 40% off, books, 33% off and homewares 31% off.
While you’re shop- ping, remember that the early bird catches the worm.
“Early morning sales last for a limited time due to a lower stock of inventory,” says Skirboll. “Start your shopping in the early morning if you’re looking for the best deals on specific items.”
It’s worth noting, however, that some re- tailers will have flash sales at select hours throughout the day.
As for the most trend- ing items, in the elec- tronics category, Skirboll names virtual reality de- vices like the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive and fitness apps like the Fitbit or Apple Watch.
Tamara Gaffney, the principal analyst for Adobe Digital Insights, projects Pokémon, Bar- bie, Lego, Hot Wheels and ‘Frozen’ toys as de- sired gift items this year, as well as wireless speak- ers like Google Home and Amazon Echo.
Another key tip to re- member: plan ahead.
“Shopping without a list or strategy often results in a devastating blow to your budget,” says money-saving ex- pert Andrea Woroch. “That’s because it’s easy to lose track of your spending as you see list- ings for sales.”
In addition to shop- ping with a list, she sug- gests scoping out deals on Sunday to figure out what you want to buy, then loading your cart and saving your ship- ping and payment infor- mation at the retailer’s website for quick check- out.
“This ensures you don’t miss out on any deals that are limited in- ventory and allows you to shop faster during your lunch break while at work on Cyber Mon- day,” she says.
Traveling on Cyber Monday? Don’t worry; there will be more deals to come. Mark you cal- ender on Dec. 16, Free Shipping Day, when over 2,000 online retailers will offer free shipping with guaranteed deliv- ery by the holidays plus additional savings like 20% off, says Woroch.
21 Cyber Monday Hotel Deals
Not all Cyber Monday deals are true bargains, but these hotel and trav- el deals are a sure bet. Some are nonrefundable and blackout dates may apply, so check the fine print, but if your travel plans are flexible, Nov. 28 is the time to buy.
SKIING
Austria Haus
1960s chalet-style 25- room boutique hotel in Vail. The deal: 45 percent off through April 23. austriahaushotel.com
The Inn at Keystone
Minutes’ walk from ski lifts; relax in rooftop hot tubs; the only dog-friendly hotel in Keystone, Colorado. The deal: 50 percent off all rooms, includes hot breakfast buffet. Valid through April 9. keystoneresort.com
Grand Geneva Resort & Spa
AAA Four-Diamond resort in Lake Geneva, Wiscon- sin; WELL Spa + Salon and The Mountain Top, a 20-run ski and snow- board facility. The deal: 25 percent off; first 50 book- ings receive a $25 dining credit. Valid through Feb. 28. grandgeneva.com
Silverado Lodge
Set in prime Utah ski country, most suites have fireplaces, vaulted ceil- ings and decks. The deal: 40 percent off through April 16. parkcitymoun- tain.com
DOMESTIC
Belmond Hotels
Intimate resort-style properties in Santa Bar- bara and Charleston. The deal: up to 50 percent off through Jan. 12 (Charles- ton) and March 31 (Santa Barbara). belmond.com
The Camby
This Phoenix hotel has
a boutique spa and a rooftop pool, which you’ll actually be able to use during winter. The deal: 25 percent off plus $25 credit through March 5. Code: LPR. marriott.com
Craddock Terry Hotel
A converted shoe factory in the heart of down- town Lynchburg, Virginia. The deal: 25 percent off through February 2017. crad- dockterryhotel.com
COMO Hotels
Luxury stays in two of its beachfront properties: Miami and Turks and Caicos. The deal: up to 38 percent off, plus $25 resort credit per night; valid between Dec. 1 and Aug. 25. comohotels.com
Fairmont Newport Beach
Sophisticated resort hotel located near Disney parks in California. The deal: 30 percent off stays through Dec. 31. Code: PPDL. fairmont.com
The Garland
Retro-chic North Hol- lywood hotel named after the late actress Beverly Garland. The deal: Buy one night, get the second 50 percent off through March 31. thegarland.com
Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa
The quintessential glamp- ing resort in California’s San Bernardino Na- tional Forest. The deal:
25 percent off; Marriott Rewards members 30 percent off. Valid from Dec. 9-Jan. 16. lakearrow- headresort.com
L’Auberge de Sedona
Luxury retreat nestled on the banks of Oak Creek in Arizona’s renowned Red Rock region. The deal: 30 percent off plus resort credits from $50- $325. Valid through Feb 28. lauberge.com
Loews Hotels
All properties are pet- friendly and several have Cyber Monday sales. The deal: 20 percent off best rate for stays through Nov. 30, 2017. loewshotels. com
Rancho Bernardo Inn
Don’t let the name fool you, this upscale 265-acre resort has three swim- ming pools, lush gardens and a spa. The deal: 50 percent off through Jan. 5. ranchobernardoinn.com
INTERNATIONAL
Nayara Springs
This adults-only, romantic resort is situated right in the rainforest of Arenal Volcano National Park in Costa Rica. The deal: 35 percent off a four- night stay. Jan. 1-April 1. nayarasprings.com
Landings Resort
AAA Four-Diamond all-suite resort at Rodney Beach in St. Lucia. Deal: 50 percent off from Jan. 3-April 20. Stay seven nights or more and re- ceive a $100 resort credit. landingsstlucia.com
The Palms Turks & Caicos
This 72-suite oceanfront resort sits on Grace Bay Beach, rated one of the most beautiful white sand beaches in the world. The deal: 30 percent off plus a $100 dining certificate; valid May 15-June 15. thepalmstc.com
One Aldwych
Located in London’s Covent Garden, with 25 theaters within 10 min- utes’ walk. The deal: Book two nights, get a third free from Jan. 1-April 17. Code: CYBER. onealdwych. com
GoldenEye
Iconic resort on the Jamaican property that used to be Bond creator Ian Fleming’s home. The deal: 35 percent off three nights or more, plus a daily resort credit toward dining and activities. Valid through Jan. 31. Code: ONELOVE. goldeneye.com
Condado Vanderbilt
Recently reopened, includes a lavish spa with a hammam in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The deal: 35 percent off stays between Dec. 20, 2016 and Dec. 20, 2017. condadovanderbilt.com