Much as I hate Black Friday, I do know my way around a sale, so I think I have good information to offer. If you are going to participate in the Black Friday madness, here are some tips.
1. If your goal is to score gifts that you want at really good prices, have a plan! Make a list of what it is you’re after, and start looking. Start looking at prices now, online, so that you can get a good idea of what is a good deal and what isn’t. Know what stores are going to be offering a deal on Black Friday, and for how long. Remember, lots of stores only offer doorbusters for the first four hours of opening.
2. Have a backup plan. Say you plan on one store because of their iPad2 deal. When it’s your turn, they’re sold out, but they do have regular iPads. Do you want one? Especially with electronics, there can be lots of variations with the same product. Know which ones you want and which you don’t, so that you don’t have to make a spur of the moment decision (that you may later regret).
3. Double check a store’s return policy, especially since some may alter it for these door-buster type deals.
Uh, no thanks. Not for me.
4. If you want an item that you know is going to be a hot commodity, do your research with the stores. Find out which stores will be offering it at a price you like, and call them. Ask them how many they expect to have in stock. What will be their procedure for getting the hot items? Some stores require, that even after you wait in line all night, that once you get inside you have to go to a deli-like ticket machine and take a number. Others hand out numbers to the people in line outside. Call and ask what the procedure is going to be so that you are prepared. You certainly don’t want to be up all night, out in the cold, and then not get your gift!
5. If you don’t have a specific item or items in mind, but Black Friday shopping in your family is “just a tradition,” set a budget! Take a list of people that you still need to get gifts for, and set a budget. Do NOT let yourself get swept up in the madness of it all, and just because you watch 50 people grabbing something, you end up grabbing & buying something you had no intention of getting. Nor is it anything you need or want. It happens! I am all for recreational shopping and spending time with family, if this is your tradition. But be smart, and don’t overspend.
6. Know all the ins & outs of your expected purchase. Ask about price matching. A store may match a store’s doorbuster price, just to get you in the door that day. Can’t hurt to ask. Know if a store, for example Kohl’s–they give Kohl’s cash, $10 for every $50 you spend. Will even these doorbuster deals be eligible? If you are getting a tablet, do they require you to purchase a wireless contract as well? Find out the “fine print” as much as you can ahead of time, so that you don’t end up disappointed.
7. Don’t dismiss online deals! I’m not just saying this because I’m a Black Friday hater. It’s true! By the time in you add in a possible rebate from Ebates, discount codes from savings.com, plus maybe a manufacturer’s rebate, your time and gas to get there……..it really may be most cost effective to do this from home. In all seriousness, ask yourself if it’s worth all the insanity to save $20, $50? Maybe it is. Maybe it isn’t.
In summary, Black Friday has just evolved into just insanity. From the 1980s when parents trampled each other to death over Cabbage Patch dolls, to modern day times, when people are getting trampled over electronics. It can be fun, there are good deals to be had. Do your research, set a budget and plan ahead. And really ask yourself if this is the only time, the only store, the only deal you will be able to find on that item. Chances are, you will find similarly good deals all season long.
Good Luck!
Thanks for the great tips!