As the official start to the holiday shopping season, Black Friday (which now begins Thursday evening) offers shoppers amazing and unheard of deals on the latest electronics, toys, clothing, tools and appliances. As you search for deals, refine your shopping lists and plan your attack, use these tips and tricks to get the most out your shopping trip.
Make a list. Don’t try to browse on Black Friday. Shoppers, low-prices and sought after items make this almost impossible. It is much easier to navigate the crowded stores when a plan is in place. Make a list of ‘necessary purchases’ and ‘maybe purchases’ to make shopping as stress-free as possible.
Compare prices. After completing your list, check into the price of each item. Competing stores have similar merchandise, especially the season’s hottest items. Check online and in flyers before committing to a purchase.
Always read the fine print. Oftentimes huge discounts and sales come with fine print. Whether it’s ‘exceptions may apply,’ ‘only 100 available’ or ‘until noon,’ fine print information tends to get overlooked. To make sure you understand all the rules of the road, don’t forget to read everything in flyers and ads.
Set a budget. Anyone who has ever been Black Friday shopping knows how easy it is to get caught up in the holiday shopping crazy and the deals. Don’t this year. Keep your wallet in check by setting a budget and you won’t go overboard.
Don’t buy something just because it is a good deal. Doorbusters and discounts are great things, but that doesn’t mean the items need to be purchased. Question whether they are really needed to ensure impulse purchases don’t happen.
Bring store ads. Many stores participate in ‘price-match’ meaning if another store advertises an item at a lower price, they will match it. If you only plan on hitting a few stores, this can be a wonderful tool. Proof is needed though, so take all your Black Friday ads with you. Always remember, not all stores will price-match for all items.
Bring (some) cash. Even though credit and debit cards are wonderful purchasing companions, swiping often holds up lines, especially on busy days like Black Friday. Many stores will even offer ‘cash only’ lines to ease headaches and keep lines moving. Be your own personal judge. Don’t carry your entire budget with you, particularly if you are planning on spending hundreds of dollars. Bring enough cash to make your life easier, but don’t bring so much that you are worried about carrying it on you.
Dress comfortably. A lot of people, reaching for items and speed walking to get coveted items mean you want to feel your best. To be as comfortable as possible, dress appropriately for your trip. Most importantly, wear comfortable shoes and don’t carry a big heavy purse with you. You will thank yourself when you collapse into bed.
Don’t go alone. Bring a friend along to go to different sections of a store or even completely different stores at the same time. You can take turns standing in those long lines for the most sought after items. More importantly though, someone will then understand how upset you are when the person in front of you gets the last one of that special item you wanted. Set a time to meet back at the food court or the car to head out for some much needed coffee or breakfast.
Online shopping may get you better deals. Going to malls and stores with hundreds, maybe thousands of shoppers may seem like a daunting task to many. If it does and you want to avoid the craziness that is Black Friday, many stores offer similar deals on their websites. ‘Online exclusive’ deals may also make the purchase even sweeter. In addition to online Black Friday deals, don’t forget about Cyber Monday and all its special discounts.
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