Black Friday, here we come! Photo: Flickr, Peter Hilton
Thinking of hitting the mall for Black Friday while the rest of us lazy shoppers snooze the morning away? Don't forget your armor; it's a scary world out there. We've got tons of tricks and tips to help you get through the day -- unharmed and rich with savings. Ready?:
1. Dress appropriately.
Sure, you want to show off your new 3-inch heels, but unless you're going clubbing on Black Friday, leave the stilettos at home. Instead, opt for comfortable flats that will bring you through the long haul -- after all, this day is not for the faint at heel!
2. Preparation is key!
Your boy scout son is nodding his head right about now. Stash a few granola bars, antibacterial soap, baby wipes, Band Aids, and whatever else you might need for any miscellaneous mishaps that may occur along the way (Diet Coke? Flask? Taser?). The last thing you want to do on your way to scoring a $5 microwave is stop for a snack break.
3. Scout the scene.
Check out any unfamiliar stores a few days before Thanksgiving so you can make a beeline to the items you're coveting. Talk to sales associates to find out where special door busters will be placed. Strategy is everything.
4. Know your sales.
Bring sale ads with you for clarification and extra in-store coupons, or in case you hit an extra grouchy associate that you'll need to defend yourself against. Many stores will price-match, but you can't get the deal without the coupon!
5. Be fierce.
Black Friday is the Olympics of shopping. Leave uninterested spouses or slowpoke children at home and bring teenagers who can run fast and aren't afraid of a good bribe.
6. Park it.
Never waste time circling a parking lot four times to get a spot by the door; it only wastes time. Instead, park in the first spot you see and walk off all that turkey you ate the day before!
7. Calm down.
The term "door busters" isn't meant to be literal, so let's all band together to experience a stampede-free Black Friday. After all, a $10 DVD player isn't worth a $900 dollar ER visit.
8. Divide and Conquer.
Bring a few (fast!) friends and find out what their needs are. By shopping together, you can hit different areas of the store and meet back at the checkout faster than you can say "Black Friday."
9. Focus.
Shop only your advertised necessities that you've prepared for. Each moment you spend picking out regular-priced underwear will lessen your chance of scoring that $50 computer.
Follow our handy Black Friday guide and breeze through this year's holiday shopping. And remember -- it's OK to pick out a gift for yourself. 'Tis the season!
geneskillet3,11-23-2009, 2:17PM
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Unknown,11-23-2009, 2:29PM
For all those out there who ARE shopping- please do not bring those children who run fast. It only makes things worse! People see them running, and then greed takes over- and they feel the need to run. And then everyone becomes completely senseless.
1. Don't expect your "add matching" to get honored everywhere. The unnamed store I work in does not. So don't freak out about it if the store you are in doesn't. It isn't worth it to miss the item by trying to save a couple of bucks at the another store, and finding they are sold out.
2. Stores are keeping extremely low inventory of everything, (EXPECT IT!) especially because of the economy. So unless you are the one of first 20 people in line (even maybe), that huge, unbelievable priced item is going to be sold out, and sold out FAST. Please, please, please don't take this out on the innocent associates. If it were up to us, we would order 100's of whatever it is, and we would love to make you happy. But we just work here. (not to mention the 12 hour day on black Friday)
3. Bare in mind- even if they are sold out on an item, a lot of stores have online order, and MAY be able to order the same item online for you through the store, at the same price (or try to honor it). All you have to do is pick it up at the store in a week or 2. (but DON'T expect it to get shipped to your house unless you want to pay shipping charges). And it WILL be on time for Christmas. Just remember- online does get sold out eventually too.
4. Please be patient- and EXPECT to wait a LONG time. I don't understand why people become some impatient expecting to get immediately helped on the busiest shopping day of the year. We will get to you eventually- just like EVERYONE ELSE.
5. If you have other, usual stuff to do that day- save it for another day. I see people who come in to stand in line for almost an hour, and becoming upset because they're "not here to shop," they just need 5 batteries changed on their 5 watches that were sitting in a drawer for 10 years. Save it!
6. If you are buying fine jewelry, a lot of stores actually have a pre-buy going on(usually starts a couple of days before). They put a hold on your card for the item you want until the big day, when the sale goes through, and you can pick it up any time the day of the sale, or after that day, and avoid the crowds. So go in a couple of days before, and pick it out. Just remember- stores are very limited to how many they can reserve out (they have to keep enough around for the BIG DAY). But come early, and ask. It makes life easier, and you can sleep in.
7. If it IS fine jewelry you are buying- keep in mind, unlike anything else in the store- they rarely keep a large inventory on anything. On most NORMAL SALES of the year, even a highly advertised item, they'll probably have 3, at the most, in backstock (again, not OUR choice) and on the rest of everything, sometimes 1 in backstock, or a lot of times, 0(for unadvertised items). If it were up to us, we'd change it. But understand- we don't own the store. And that is for regular times of the year. The GOOD news is- if it's a huge item for Black Friday- they actually DO send us a lot of stock- but keep in mind, a "lot" is still not enough for everyone, and we are usually sold out of the huge deals VERY early on (you are fighting 100's of other people for the same deals!). Don't expect it to be there if you are an afternoon and especially an evening shopper. For a rule of thumb, if an item is over $100, expect us to still have a low stock. (So for that gorgeous wedding ring you were planning on getting in the add, we probably have less than 4). If we're sold out, though- don't feel like you've missed it. Again- a lot of stores can order it, you just have to wait a week or 2 (sometimes 3 if it's popular) to pick it up. That's it. It will be here for Christmas. So don't get mad if it's gone. And if you don't like it when you actually see it in person, you CAN return it.
8. Just to repeat it- KNOW what you want AHEAD of time- while you are debating, someone else is buying it.
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KT,11-23-2009, 2:39PM
Go shopping people! It gets everyone in the Christmas spirit! We do it every year, get up at 4 and home at 9. It gets the Christmas season started with a bang! And I don't want to hear anyone complain about all the walking and still being full from Thanksgiving day eats! I am running a marathon Thanksgiving morning and still braving the wonders of Black Friday shopping!
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BMW power,11-23-2009, 2:43PM
heres my gameplan
stay the fuck home.
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amy3e,11-23-2009, 3:10PM
There are some more great shopping tips and unique gift ideas at Celebration Ideas Online. Also some really fun, free Thanksgiving and Holiday games you can play with your family when you are not shopping.
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blogger,11-23-2009, 3:36PM
People should boycott merchants who cheapen our most important civic holiday with this Black Friday nonsense.
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ruben,11-23-2009, 3:44PM
I Cant wait for the adrenaline rush that goes along with the huge savings, some may talk bad about Black Friday but I love everything about it, one day out the year to go crazy. Just watch your stuff like a hawk cause it will be ripped from your basket trust me Ive done it before :o)
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John,11-23-2009, 3:47PM
I think I'll grab my video camera and go down to Walmart and film the lunatics trampling each other while they are in the holiday spirit.
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Vinnie,11-23-2009, 6:21PM
Here's a website with some great gift items: www.VinTheCandleMan.Scent-Team.Com Happy Thanksgiving!
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Andrea,11-23-2009, 6:00PM
I am not sure why Black Friday is such a large debate..If you like it go if you dont stay home why is that so hard to grasp? I personally love it ,but I wont be going since I have to get up bright and early and enjoy a full of work ! No day off after thanksgiving for me ! As for those that complain about the economy what are you talking about ? Lay off the credit cards and live within your means like paying cash or not getting it and you wont have the economy to worry about ..credit cards equal I cant really afford this ,but im buying it anyway...just something to think about next time you whip that CC out and nah its not easier than paying cash . I have never held a line up a 100 dollar bill that was delined ! geez!
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melanie,11-24-2009, 12:15PM
Hi me and all of my friends have been going shopping on black friday for over 20 years.The best thing to do is start at walmart bring all of your ads because they will match everyones prices including doorbusters sales.All you have to do is get there early get the stuff you are going to have them match then check out ats soon as they open the register.
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Tara V,11-24-2009, 2:11PM
On more tips for surviving black friday, I recomend going to see Zombieland.
Best tips will be cardio! and doubletap.
Bless be this merry season :)
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Sal,11-24-2009, 4:20PM
How many people have tried hiding overnight in the store they want to buy hot deals from?....I think one could hide in an under counter area in most Target, Walmart and Sears stores....just take a jug to pee in and an alarm that vibrates not rings to awaken you....pick a counter near the department your "Black Friday Door Buster" item will be located and get there first.....
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Brad,11-14-2010, 6:07PM
it's amazing to me that people thrive on black friday. Im a christian but i perfer being called defender of the faith of the lord jesus christ. I do not participate in worldly material activities like black friday. it's said to hear about people fighting for toys, games, tvs , and other products of this world if i may also kill each other over it. My point is are lives are but vapors here on earth and material things mean nothing in the kingdom of GOD.
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