By Linsey Knerl
Today, we're going to continue our discussion on how to score the best deals on Black Friday (it is coming up, after all.) We’ll give you everything you need to get shopping.
How to Get the Best Deals on Black Friday
You’ve already listened to our earlier podcast on how to plan for Black Friday, you’ve visited the deals sites, and you’ve got a pretty good idea of what you want to buy (and from what store you plan on buying it from). What’s next? A lot of preparation. Our tried and true tips for getting geared up for a marathon day of shopping are good year after year (and we’ve even included a few special tips for this year’s holiday season.)
Black Friday Tip #1: Get the Newspaper
The first step in prepping for Black Friday is to buy the Thanksgiving Day newspaper. Seems like a no-brainer, but even with all the scanned copies of ads available online, we still like to see the original, print copy in our own little hands. Not only does that allow you to see all the store offerings in your area, but you won’t have the dreaded task of using all your printer’s ink cartridges to get them in a form that you can easily shuffle, circle, and make notes on. Once you have the ads for stores you are interested in shopping from, start marking! Circle any and all items that catch your eye so you can carefully compare all the items you’ve circled later.
Black Friday Tip #2: Price Compare
Most retailers will be offering similar, if not exactly the same, hot deals, so your deciding factor on where to shop will be price. I like to pull out a few 3 X 5 index cards and assign each card a store. Then I write down the items with the lowest price on the corresponding store card. If you plan on shopping for several items at the same store, you can break the cards down further by department to help you in your organization.
Black Friday Tip #3: Make Note of the Time
Now you need to double-check your store flyers to see what time each store opens—many stores offer their hottest sales (often called “doorbusters”) very early in the morning. Make a note of the start of each sale on every store card, and organize the cards, putting the stores that open first at the top of the stack. (You’ll want to hit these first.)
Black Friday Tip #4: Start the Night Before
Your best laid plans will actually take place the night before, when you should lay out your clothes, get your wallet/cash/credit cards ready, and put your note cards (and a healthy snack bar or breakfast treat) where you can grab them the next morning. In many areas of the country, it will be cold at 4 a.m., so plan to dress warmly, but in layers. (Conversely, it will be rather toasty waiting in the checkout line behind 50 other shoppers, and you’ll want to be able to strip down when needed.) This is also the best time to convince that reluctant friend that you need them to come along on your little adventure. After all, what’s shopping without a wingman to help drive, hold your place in line, and spot the special merchandise?
Your best laid plans will actually take place the night before, when you should lay out your clothes, get your wallet/cash/credit cards ready...
Black Friday Tip #5: Hit Them Early
The next day, it’s shopping time! Head to the first store on your list, and get there plenty early! If you’re fortunate enough to be one of the first in the door, you can head directly to the areas that are offering the best deals. Many of the doorbusters will be placed in the aisles for easy access. Don’t forget to grab a cart (these can go quickly), and don’t be afraid to enlist your friend to hold the cart while you spread out and grab items on your list. When heading to the checkout lines, be aware of the need for any extra receipts you may need for redeeming rebates, and ask for gift receipts for easy returns.
Additional Black Friday Shopping Tips
Here are some additional quick and dirty Black Friday shopping tips:
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Don’t forget to check online! Many of the items you’ll clamor for in-store will also be available for convenient ordering from home. Check out the online sales the night before to see if you’ll even need to leave home for the crowded stores. Remember to factor in shipping charges and availability before you give up your in-store opportunities, however. If you buy something in-store and then find it cheaper online, you can always return your purchase using that receipt we told you to get!
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In light of last year’s tragedy involving a Walmart store, new security measures may be in place at your favorite retailers. Though these measures won’t change how early you’ll need to arrive at the store, they may save you time. A representative from Walmart confirmed that the limited stock merchandise will be offered at various “hubs” around the store, each staffed to assist customers lined up for products in an orderly fashion. The benefit of this arrangement? Once 50 customers line up for an item with only 50 units in stock, for example, the remaining customers will be told they can go ahead and shop for something else. (Time saved, indeed!)
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If you really need it, don’t wait until Black Friday! Limited quantities of popular items may make shopping early worth it--even at a higher price. If someone in your life has their heart set on a best-selling gadget that may not be in high-supply, buy now for peace of mind later.
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If all else fails, employ price-matching! Walmart reps have already confirmed that they will match any competitor’s ad price for identical items, so if the thought of going to 5 stores frightens you, just stick to one!
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Take time to rest, eat, and use the bathroom. This is such a simple tip, but in the busy shuffle of shopping, it’s important to stop and take care of yourself. While you’re at it, extend some hospitality to your fellow shoppers. It’s the holiday season, after all!
This has been an episode of Dealista’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Getting More for Less, brought to you by Wise Bread, a personal finance blog that helps you live large on a small budget.
