The day we've been waiting for is almost here... Black Friday! We've put together a list of tips that only the professional Black Friday shoppers know. So now you can be as skilled as the rest of us. We'll see you out there!
Start Early.
Black Friday has become more than just a day. It has evolved into something a bit more complicated. It has changed into a month of deals and savings, and even online retailers also regularly update prices throughout the iconic event.
Do Your Homework.
Only rookies head out on Black Friday unprepared. Getting ready means studying the ads—in print and online—before Thanksgiving. If this is your first time and haven’t done your homework, stay home. There really is no point if you are aimlessly walking around looking at things to buy. You will just end up getting stressed out and overwhelmed. Black Friday is for people with a game plan to grab deals.
Compare Prices.
If you see an awesome deal, check price comparison sites such as Shopping.com and PriceGrabber.com to make sure you can’t do better elsewhere. There are also some apps, such as ShopSavvy and BuyVia, that let you scan bar codes to compare prices, get discounts, and score coupons from retailers while you are out at the stores. It's helpful to look at while in those long checkout lines.
Create A Budget—And Stick To It.
Easier said than done. Black Friday sales, especially the doorbusters, were created suck you into the store so that you can buy something else. Plan ahead of time how much you want to spend on your Black Friday shopping spree, and do your best to resist random impulse buying. If you know you are loose with your credit cards, buy with cash.
Check All Store Polices In Advance.
Most of all retail stores have some sort of price-match policy. Do you research before you head out and see if you can get a good deal. Check the return and exchange policies also for Black Friday sales to make sure that the store won't charge a restocking fee for any item you bring back.
Don't Assume A Doorbuster Is A Deal.
Doorbuster specials draw people in with illusion of huge savings. This is especially true for big-ticket items such as TVs. Just remember that is it the best quality? Remember the saying you get what you pay for. If it is something you know you need to last a year maybe its ok to pay for the extra 100 for a better quality brand.
Snag Bonus Discounts.
If you are party of that group that enjoys going out during this event, GO TO THE STORES EARLY. Some stores reward early risers with extra gift cards and coupons. For example, come stores might give the first 100 people in line tickets for store credit or extra deep discounts, so be on the lookout!
Become Loyal.
Some stores have loyalty programs that offer sales and promotions to their members first, then let them earn rewards on what they buy. Sign up for Black Friday shopping alerts about upcoming promotions, coupons, and discounts. In some cases, you can even learn whether products you want are in stock or eligible for a buy-online/pick-up-at-store option that saves you on shipping charges.
Get Social.
The Facebook pages and Twitter feeds of your favorite retailers are a great way to find out about deals and promotions. Some stores will often reward customers who "like" them or follow them with special alerts to Black Friday discounts and incentives. Tweets, and social media posts are an easy way to share Black Friday shopping intel with your friends.
Divide and Conquer.
Chances are you’ll want to hit more than one store on Black Friday. Items are usually limited. Bring a friend or two and divided the lists. You have a higher success rate if you shop with a group than by yourself. Or while one person shops, another person can start to get in line for check out. Try to minimize the time you are at one store so you can hit your next store quicker. Plus, it’s more fun to shop with friends.
Be Thankful.
It is Thanksgiving after all. If you didn’t get that awesome deal you wanted, its OK! Nothing is really worth getting into a fight about. Don’t be THAT Person. And remember... Have fun!