Black Friday Shopping Tips for Custom Home Products (Don't Miss These!)

Tip #1: Order Way Earlier Than You Think

This is the big one that trips people up every single year. Black Friday deals on custom products are awesome, but here's the catch - you're not getting your stuff on Black Friday. You're ordering on Black Friday, then waiting for production.

Custom cushions typically take 2-3 weeks to make and ship under normal circumstances. During Black Friday through Christmas? Add another week, maybe two. Everyone's ordering at once, and production schedules fill up fast.

According to shipping data from USPS, package volumes during the holiday season can increase by 60% or more. That means delays are pretty much guaranteed, not just possible.

My advice? If you need custom items by mid-December, order them on Black Friday. If you need them BY Christmas, honestly consider ordering even earlier and just taking advantage of any early-bird deals that might pop up.

Tip #2: Know Exactly What You Need Before the Sale Starts

Black Friday moves fast. Really fast. The good stuff sells out, popular fabrics go on backorder, and if you're sitting there on Friday morning trying to measure your chairs for the first time... you've already lost.

Do your homework now. Like, right now. Measure whatever furniture you're buying cushions for. Write down the dimensions. Take photos. Figure out which colors work in your space. Maybe even browse fabric options and narrow it down to your top three choices.

When Black Friday hits and that 40% off deal goes live, you want to be ready to check out in minutes, not hours. Trust me on this - every year we see people lose their cart items because they took too long deciding.

Tip #3: Understand What "Custom" Actually Means for Your Timeline

Here's something that confuses people - they see "40% off" and think it works like buying a regular product off the shelf. But custom means made-to-order. Nothing exists until you order it.

Once you place your order, here's what actually happens:

1. Order Processing: 1-2 business days for order review and confirmation
2. Fabric Cutting: Your specific fabric gets cut to your exact measurements
3. Assembly: Sewing, filling, quality check - this is where most time goes
4. Shipping: Standard shipping is 5-7 days, expedited options available

You can't rush steps 2 and 3 without compromising quality. And honestly, you don't want us to. The whole point of custom is that it's done right.

Some companies offer "rush production" for extra fees during Black Friday. Whether that's worth it depends on your situation. For us at Rulaer, we max out our production capacity during the sale period, so rush options might not even be available.

Tip #4: Focus on High-Value Items, Skip the Small Stuff

Look, 40% off is 40% off, but the discount matters more on expensive items. A $30 cushion at 40% off saves you $12. A $150 custom bench cushion at 40% off saves you $60. See where I'm going with this?

If you've been thinking about investing in quality custom pieces - like custom bench cushions, large deep-seat sets, or anything oversized - Black Friday is when you pull the trigger. The bigger the original price, the bigger your savings.

Smaller, cheaper items? You can probably find decent ready-made alternatives that work fine. Save your Black Friday discount for the stuff where custom really makes a difference.

Tip #5: Read the Fine Print on Returns and Exchanges

This is super important with custom products. Most companies - including us - have different return policies for made-to-order items versus ready-made stuff. And it makes sense when you think about it - we can't resell a cushion that was cut to your specific chair dimensions.

Typically, custom products are final sale unless there's a defect or we messed up the order. So you really, REALLY need to get your measurements right the first time.

Some questions to ask before ordering:

• What's the return policy for custom items specifically?
• What happens if I input wrong measurements?
• Are there any restocking fees?
• How do exchanges work for custom products?
• What qualifies as a "defect" versus "buyer's remorse"?

According to consumer protection guidelines from the Federal Trade Commission, companies must clearly state their return policies, especially for custom or personalized items. Don't assume - read the actual policy.

Tip #6: Consider Buying Covers Separately for Flexibility

Here's a smart move not everyone thinks about - if you already have cushions that fit your furniture but they're looking worn, just order custom covers instead of whole new cushions. It's cheaper, and you can swap them out seasonally.

Our custom covers are designed to fit standard cushion inserts, and during Black Friday they're 40% off too. You could order covers in multiple colors and switch them up throughout the year. Spring colors, fall colors, holiday colors - whatever you want.

This strategy also makes maintenance easier. Spill something during Thanksgiving? Just wash that cover. Way simpler than dealing with a whole cushion.

Tip #7: Don't Sleep on Outdoor Cushions for Indoor Use

Plot twist - outdoor cushions aren't just for patios. The fabrics used in quality outdoor cushions (like our outdoor line) are often more durable and stain-resistant than indoor fabrics.

If you have kids, pets, or just generally chaotic dinner parties, outdoor-grade fabric on your dining chairs might be the move. It's water-resistant, fade-resistant, and way easier to clean. Nobody said outdoor fabric has to stay outdoors.

Tip #8: Set Up Alerts and Add to Cart Early

Most companies announce their Black Friday deals in advance. Sign up for email lists, follow on social media, whatever it takes to get notifications when the sale goes live.

Better yet - add items to your cart beforehand. Not all websites will honor cart prices if you added things before the sale started, but it saves you time when the sale goes live. You can just update quantities and check out immediately.

Some practical prep steps:

• Create your account and save payment info (securely) ahead of time
• Add desired items to wishlist or cart
• Enable push notifications from the store app if they have one
• Set a phone alarm for when the sale starts (time zones matter!)
• Have your measurements and notes ready in a document you can reference quickly

Research from Shopify shows that Black Friday deals often sell out of popular items within the first few hours. Being prepared means being first in line.

What to Actually Expect on Black Friday 2025

Let me paint you a realistic picture of what Black Friday shopping for custom products looks like. It's not like walking into a store and grabbing stuff off shelves.

Websites will be slower than usual because of traffic. Checkout might take a few tries. Customer service will be swamped with questions. Your order confirmation email might take longer to arrive than normal. This is all standard.

The companies that survive Black Friday year after year are the ones that plan for this chaos. But as a customer, you should expect some friction in the process.

None of this means don't shop Black Friday sales - absolutely take advantage of them! Just go in with realistic expectations and a solid plan.

Final Thoughts: Is Black Friday Worth It for Custom Products?

Short answer: Yes, if you're planning ahead and know what you need.

40% off custom furniture pieces is genuinely a great deal. We're talking about products that'll last 5-10 years if you take care of them. The savings are real, and if you were planning to buy this stuff anyway, waiting for Black Friday makes total sense.

But don't force it just because there's a sale. If you don't actually need custom cushions right now, or if you're not prepared with measurements and decisions, it's okay to wait. There will be other sales (though probably not 40% off - that's pretty rare for custom products).

The people who get the most value from Black Friday custom product sales are the ones who've been watching and waiting. They know exactly what they need, they've measured everything twice, and they're ready to click "buy" the second the sale starts.

Be that person. Do your homework now, and when Black Friday hits, you'll be ready to score some seriously good deals on products that'll make your home better for years to come.