Black Friday is less than a 5 days away. You want to make sure that you are prepared so that you can get in on the deals and not be left standing out in the cold.
Make A List:
(1) Who you need gifts for.
(2) What you're planning to buy for each.
(3) Specific sizes, color preferences, and the like for individuals on your list.
(4) How much you can afford to spend per person.
(5) How much you can afford to spend overall.
(6) Be sure to leave "room" in your budget for unexpected deals while you're out shopping.
CHECK OUT THE ADS
There are many websites that have the Black Friday ads up already. They show the actual print ad and then they will also have it all typed out. Listed are just a few and they all have the same info.
www.Bfads.net
www.blackfriday2010.com
www.BlackFriday.info
www.Black-Friday.net
PRIORITIZE
1~ Make a list of the stores and items at each store that you would like to buy.
2~RESEARCH items that you are interested in as soon as possible. No guessing once at the store.
3~ Find out which store has the most items on your list. That store will be a priority to you.
4~Beware of stores that have a limited amount of door busters. If a store has 10 items, then you will more than likely have to be 1 of the first 10 people in line.
4~Write down the times that the stores open. There will be some stores that will start their Black Friday sales on Thursday online so keep an eye on that.
5~Once you have the times the stores open and your lists, make a plan of attack of which stores to hit up first.
6~Stop or call the store to see how they will handle the big ticketed items. Will they hand out tickets or will it be a stampede.
7~Make a map of the store as to where your items will more than likely be at.
FAMILY / FRIENDS
1~ Start talking to family and friends to see if they are going to hit up any stores for Black Friday. Two years ago, my brother stood in line at Office Max while I was at Circuit City. He gave me his list and he got my list.
2~Go in groups to the same store and split up to tackle a different part of the store. Of course make a map of the store.
3~Have cell phone numbers pre-programmed in the phones.
4~Have a central place to meet up in the store or elsewhere.
VEHICLE
Thanks to Kim for reminding me of this one.
1~Have your vehicle ready. Sounds funny, but have you ever seen someone trying to fit a large item in their vehicle and it is jam packed with items that could of been left at home...like car seats?
2~ Fill up your gas tank and windshield washer fluid.
3~Your car will fill up with items, so hide as many as you can or take a break and bring the expensive items home. LOCK your car door! (thanks Kelly)
STANDING IN LINE
1~ If you are going after a big ticketed item and there are a limited amount of items, be prepared to stand or sit in line for a long, long time.
2~There is no magic time to start to stand in line for the items. Though there is a family in Florida that started 9 days before Black Friday at Best Buy....I think that they are a tad bit early. LOL
3~Be prepared with warm clothes, heater, sleeping bag, boots, folding chair, food, hot drink, tent, etc. (My first time standing in line was at Circuit City starting at midnight and I was the only one there with a heater, sleeping bag, etc. There was a lady with dress shoes...not a good choice) You can always pack up your items and bring them to your car before the store opens.
4~ Make friends with people in line with you. I say this because at my first experience, the friends that I made in line looked out for me and helped me get a laptop. (Let's say it was NOT a good experience and they have gotten smart now and hand out tickets while people are in ONE line...not a group grabbing at papers)
WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU
1~ Bring snacks, drinks, etc. to save time.
2~Dress in layers, so you can take off a sweatshirt if you get hot standing in line at the checkout .
3~Wear comfortable shoes.
4~Leave the purse at HOME and grab a fanny pack or put your money in your pocket. You need your hands free!
5~ Bring only what you need for funds...credit card, check book, cash, drivers license, coupons, etc
6~Bring a large reusable bag with you to put your items in. It isn't work looking for one of those little baskets to carry around when time will cost you savings! (thanks Kim)
PRICE MATCHING
Many stores will price match other store’s deals.
1~ Make sure to review the store’s price matching policy in detail. Each Target seems to change their policy for each store, so check with your own store. I do know that all Target's more than likely won't price match a doorbuster price, but they may price match a 2 or 3 day sale.
2~ Talk to the store that you intend to price match at before the big day.
3~ Make sure that the store you intend to price match at carries the EXACT same product as the one that is on sale at the other store.
4~Of course, bring the ads with you.
PRICE ADJUSTING
Some stores will allow you to buy a product early and get it price adjusted on Black Friday.
1~ Review the store’s price adjusting policy. You can usually find these online or call the store.
2~ Make sure you are buying the EXACT same product that is in the ad, right down to the UPC and product number. Sometimes stores will release products with unique “Black Friday” product numbers to prevent you from price adjusting, so this is a very important step.
3~If you talk to a store manager or supervisor, about adjusting, get their name and write it down in case of any problems.
4~ Don't open the item until you get it price adjusted in case they won't and then you can return it if you don't want it.
RETURNS
1~Pay with credit cards. Many stores can look up your purchase by your credit card number in case you lost your receipt.
2~Get a gift receipt in case the giftee needs to return or exchange the item you bought. Works great also if you were buying items as part of a group.
3~Return items as soon as you can to the store before the item can not be returned. Know the store policy for returns. Though many of them extend their return policy into January.
