iPhone 14 Plus Black Friday Deals: My Hunt for the Best Price (and My Epic Fail!)
Hey everyone! So, Black Friday. The day of deals, right? Wrong. At least, that's what I learned this year chasing that elusive iPhone 14 Plus Black Friday deal. Let me tell you, it was a wild ride. I'm usually pretty savvy – I mean, I scored a killer deal on my last laptop – but this year? This year was different.
The Pre-Black Friday Panic
I started my research weeks in advance. I knew the iPhone 14 Plus was my target – that bigger screen is just chef's kiss. I scoured all the major websites: Apple, Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart. You name it, I checked it. I even signed up for those annoying email alerts promising "exclusive deals." Spoiler alert: most of them weren't so exclusive.
My First Mistake: Trusting the Hype
Early on, I fell for a few "too good to be true" deals. Websites promising crazy discounts, "limited-time offers" that lasted for days, you know the drill. I almost bit, almost fell for one promising an iPhone 14 Plus for under $700! I almost pulled the trigger, then I did a little deeper digging. Turns out, it was a refurbished phone, and the "deal" was just clever marketing. Lesson learned: Always, always verify the seller's reputation before clicking "buy."
Black Friday Frenzy: The Day of Deals (or Not)
Black Friday itself was… chaotic. Websites crashed, deals vanished faster than you can say "cyber Monday," and I spent hours refreshing pages, my fingers aching from all the clicking. I even got a text message scam! So frustrating! Let me tell you, there is no way you can get an iPhone 14 Plus for $400. That would be an insane deal!
My Second Mistake: Ignoring Price Comparison Websites
I got so caught up in the urgency, I forgot my trusty price comparison websites. I should have used those to cross check the prices in real time. I know it sounds silly, but in the heat of the moment, I forgot about my tried and tested methods! Lesson learned: Keep your cool and use comparison tools like Google Shopping and CamelCamelCamel to see historical pricing and find the best offers across different retailers.
The Aftermath (and a Happy Ending?)
After the Black Friday dust settled, I finally found a decent deal on the iPhone 14 Plus. It wasn't the steal of the century, but it was a respectable discount from the original price at Best Buy. I paid around $850, which felt like a win considering the pre-Black Friday prices were even higher! They also offered a trade-in deal for my old phone. It wasn’t as high as I wanted, but it helped!
My Third Mistake: Forgetting About Trade-Ins!
I almost forgot about trading in my old phone! Many retailers offer trade-in programs, which can significantly reduce the final cost of your new iPhone. Best Buy offered the best trade-in price I could find that day. Lesson learned: Always check trade-in options before making a purchase.
Key Takeaways: My Black Friday iPhone Hunting Guide
- Plan ahead: Research prices, read reviews, and create a budget before Black Friday hits. It helps you compare apples to apples and will help you save more money.
- Verify sellers: Don't fall for scams! Check reviews and seller ratings before purchasing from unfamiliar websites.
- Use price comparison tools: Track prices across various retailers using Google Shopping, CamelCamelCamel, etc. It's not enough to check only the big retailer websites.
- Don't rush: Take your time, compare deals carefully, and avoid impulsive buying.
- Consider trade-ins: Check retailer websites for potential trade-in credits.
So, there you have it – my Black Friday iPhone 14 Plus saga. I hope my mistakes help you avoid similar pitfalls! Happy shopping (and happy saving!). Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below. And please share your own Black Friday wins (or fails!) – I'd love to hear them!