Should You Wait Till Cyber Monday to Do Your Holiday Shopping?

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Thinking of holding out until Cyber Monday to load up on holiday gifts? Read on to see why you may want to rethink that strategy. 

The holiday season is right around the corner. And if you’re not so thrilled about that, you’re not alone.

For some people, the holidays are synonymous with stressful travel and too many parties for their own good. And then there’s the gift-giving aspect. Even if you’re a generous soul who enjoys showering the people in your life with presents, finding the right items at the right price is no easy feat.

This year, you may be thinking of waiting until Cyber Monday to do your holiday shopping. If you’re someone who generally prefers to shop online, that logic makes sense. Cyber Monday also tends to be loaded with deals, so waiting until then might result in saving money you can then add to your savings account.

But while holding out until Cyber Monday might seem like a good plan, here’s why you may want to rethink it.

1. You might pass up better deals along the way

You might assume you’ll snag ultra-low prices if you wait to do your shopping on Cyber Monday. But a lot of retailers are already offering great deals now. Target, for example, recently had a major sale.

Many retailers have price-matching programs in place so that if you buy something in early or mid-November, you can get refunded the difference if there’s a better deal to be had later that same month. So if you’re worried about jumping the gun, stick to retailers that offer this option — and hold onto those receipts.

2. You run the risk of the products you want selling out

Maybe you have kids whose wish lists include some of the most popular toys of the season. If you wait until Cyber Monday to scoop those items up, you may find that they’re already sold out. Or, you might have to pay a premium to snag them because at that point, you’re more desperate.

If you know you want to purchase a sweater for your Uncle John, then sure, by all means, sit tight until Cyber Monday. Chances are, there’s going to be inventory left. But if your child wants the hottest gaming system out right now, stop what you’re doing and start comparing prices.

3. You might get a better sense of the products you’re buying if you purchase them at the store

Maybe you’re hoping to buy your niece the perfect party dress, or you’re looking for a high-quality building block set for your nephew. It’s not always easy to determine what you’re getting when you buy items like these online. Going to the store might help you feel more confident in your purchases.

Of course, it’s common for online retailers to have reasonable return policies. So if you buy something on Cyber Monday that isn’t what you think it is, you’ll generally have the option to send it back. But by then, it’s probably very late November or early December and you’ll be in a rush to find a replacement. Why subject yourself to that stress?

There’s nothing wrong with planning to take advantage of Cyber Monday sales. But think twice before you decide you’re basically going to wait until the Monday after Thanksgiving to get the bulk of your holiday shopping done.

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The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Maurie Backman has positions in Target. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Target. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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