If you’ve never shopped on Black Friday, you need a strategy before you even leave the comfort of your home and jump into the shopping frenzy the day after Thanksgiving.
Here are some tips before you head out of the door:
Don’t go overboard
Determine ahead of time how much money you’ll be spending, and make a list of the people you need to shop for. It’s easy to get caught up in the competition when shoppers are barreling down the aisles with their full carts trying to beat you to the best deals. Leave your credit cards at home to avoid impulse buys.
Create a shopping strategy
When the Black Friday sales fliers arrive in your newspaper days before, determine what door busters and other sale items you want to buy and start at the store that advertises the best prices. It is most helpful to bring your own shopping posse with you, either friends or family who are willing to get up early with you and hunt down other deals while you are stalking another door-buster.
Door busters aren’t always the best deals
The purpose of the door-busters is to get you into the store. Unless you’re persistent and willing to stand in line for a long time, you may not even get the opportunity to buy all of them since each store only has a limited number of these products available. The chain stores often use off-brand electronics with shockingly low prices as Black Friday enticements. If you shop around between Thanksgiving and Christmas, you may get an even better deal on the same item, like a flat-screen television.
Be patient
It’s so easy to get swept up in the moment and buy items you don’t need or that family members will be returning anyway the day after Christmas because they didn’t want them either. Spend wisely and take your time.
Dress in layers
Many stores won’t open their doors until the moment their sales begin, and you may end up waiting outdoors for a long time. Be prepared. Wear comfortable shoes and appropriate warm clothing, including hat and mittens, because you may be waiting outdoors longer than you expect. You may need rain gear, depending on where you live. Dress in layers so that you can take the outer layers off inside the busy store. The check-out lines will be long, too, so pack snacks and water.
Charge your smart phone
Stay connected to friends shopping at nearby stores or to get the scoop on great buys from your Facebook friends. You’re standing in line anyway; you might as well make the time count and multi-task.
Get there early
Even if you decide not to stalk the store parking lot at 3 a.m., it’s a good idea to get there as early as you can in order to attempt to get the best deals. This is why many shoppers go with an entourage; it makes the morning more fun.
Stay home and shop online
If bracing the cold and Black Friday crowds doesn’t appeal to you, don’t go! Instead, you may find many great deals online if you search for them.
