Black Friday (BF) is the US’s biggest shopping day. Say no more. Here, retailers have caught on. This year, many stores have started their BF deals a week earlier. For the uninitiated, BF unfolds on the day after Thanksgiving, the fourth Thursday in November. So what did I purchase at the sale? Last week, Coles were offering a discount on their digital Amazon gift cards. It was ‘bargain berserk’. The fun lasted for three days and netted the jungle company a few million. I bought $200 worth of gift cards. I paid for an annual Prime membership, saving $40. Parking Amazon gift cards is imprudent. From now on, I’d only buy Amazon gift cards to use straightaway. I took a pass on this heavily-reduced, blue Lacoste hoodie. I nabbed two basswood blinds off eBay. I didn’t have the tools to install them. Last night, my request to cancel the order was granted. Had they despatched quickly, I would’ve been screwed. I appreciate the seller’s humility and consideration.

Tales and Timepieces

I also bought this zillenial blogger’s poetry ebook. On WordPress.com, we follow each other’s sites. I was keen on how my verses stacked up against hers. So far, I haven’t read it. I’ll discuss in more detail the perks of being a Prime member. Unlike Netflix, Amazon isn’t available across the globe. I thought of getting this Tissot Powermatic, as there was a one-day sale. However, servicing the watch would be an issue. Plus, I already have a Japan-made Seiko 5. Though more accurate than the latter, what would I do with two timepieces?

Overrated

For the past two years, we’ve maintained both OnePass and EBay Plus subscriptions. Last year, we ordered a bit from eBay. We got mobile cases, perfumes, a few CDs, two mechanical watches, and a koala design water bottle. From OnePass, it was garments, CDs, bath mats, and a digital weighing scale. eBay Plus has become stingy. The Plus vouchers are becoming impractical. The only redemption was selling your stuff online. We offloaded five items. Good riddance. For $10, it was okay value, but not great. At $20, we renewed our OnePass until September.

Amazon value

DoorDash drove me to Amazon. Stay a prime member, and the former is free for two years. That’s a $240 saving. Since Prime costs $10 a month, it offsets the membership price. You can access Prime Video, their streaming service. There’s heaps of Amazon Originals as well as other releases. On top of that, you nab three months’ free Amazon Music. Finally, Prime members enjoy same-day shipping on many products.

In the last quarter, I’ve seen that music streaming is pragmatic. Their libraries are massive. If you’re looking for an obscure song, Spotify will have it. However, Amazon has a smaller catalogue. Still, the best artists, albums, and their biggest hits are at your fingertips. You can create playlists and read lyrics while listening. Amazon also has a ton of musicians’ trivia. I didn’t renew my Spotify upon joining the Amazon ecosystem. We had a memorable three months. I synced almost all my songs, artists, and playlists from Spotify to Amazon. The process was quick and painless. Sweet. In total, I got six months free from the two music apps.

Around Oz

Seems like every store out there is dangling a BF carrot. The usual suspects: supermarkets like Coles. Myer and David Jones. Other heavyweights like Kmart and Target. Mid sized retailers like JB HiFi, Officeworks, and Harvey Norman. The Apple Store. Pharmacies like Chemist Warehouse and Priceline. Accessories stops like Strandbags. Online marketplaces like eBay, Kogan, and Catch. Fast fashion like H & M and Cotton On. Shoe stores like Hype DC…’and a partridge in a pear tree.’

Two weeks ago was Click Frenzy (CF). In recent years, the online only sale has branched out. They now include Mayhem in May, Click Frenzy Travel, and Julove. However, the Main Event remains their showpiece. Again, they featured a massive array of brands across many categories. Travel, menswear, shoes, pet stuff, bags, homewares, and technology, to name a few. CF collates these deals and directs you to the retailer, just like travel booking sites.

For me, this Black Friday was low-key. Last month, I got my new iPad and a grey case. This weekend, the device was $400 online. The case’s price dropped by $12, but I needed it right away. I got my new trimmer from Shaver Shop. I have enough clothes and sleepwear to last me a while. My sneaker collection is more than adequate. Ditto my caps and backpacks.

Black Friday 2022

Two years ago, I made more orders. I bought this Rodd and Gunn nubuck shoe and a leather kit from Myer. I purchased a Superdry hoodie and some pj’s from Catch. The former’s sizing ran small so I returned it. I ordered a cap from Rodd and Gunn. The fourth one was from iHerb, shipped via DHL.

BF offers the most generous pre-Christmas savings. In the US, BF sales are the year’s finest and provide the biggest bargains. Australia is not on par with our Yankee brethren. There is still massive savings to be had. The shopping extravaganza continues till Cyber Monday (tomorrow). The queues and demand in-store prove that we have come a long way. Gone are the COVID lockdowns and social distancing. If you’ve been holding out on scoring something, now’s the time to pounce.