23 Nov Black Friday Shopping Tips

Thanksgiving is only two days away and that means Black Friday will be here faster than you can say gobble gobble. I’ve never participated in this “shopping holiday” but I’ve compiled a few tips to take advantage of the door buster deals. Of course you want to have a solid list and budget, plot out your shopping route and dress comfortably, but below are a few more tips to make your Black Friday excursion go as smoothly as possible.

• Is It Really a deal?

It’s easy to assume that something is a major sale if the store tells you so, but do some quick research ahead of time. That flat screen Toshiba that you’re lining up at 3am for may only be 50 bucks off the original price. Some stores honor price matches, so if a competitor is offering that flat screen for $100 less, speak to a store manager about matching the price.

• Prioritize Purchases

Toys, electronics and jewelry tend to be the first items to go. So if you’re looking for a game you promised your niece or nephew, scope that out before you go looking for a chunky cardigan or over the knee boots.

• Research Your Electronics
  

On such a hectic day, customer service isn’t exactly at it’s peak. If you need to ask a sales associate about the difference between two digital cameras, understand that you’re not going to get the attention {or any attention} you need during such chaos. Once again, do your research ahead of time on multiple products so you can make an informed decision if your first choice is sold out.

• Stay at Home

Some people just don’t have the patience to deal with crowds on Black Friday. If that’s you, shop from the comfort of your home. Some of the sales aren’t as deeply discounted, but they’re still great bargains and if you’re shopping for gift, you can ship it directly to the recipient. Some stores even have pre-Black Friday sales that are going on right now {like Amazon, Best Buy and Target} and Cyber Monday sales always offer super savings.

For a list of Black Friday sales, ads and circulars, visit TheBlackFriday.com and check here for Cyber Monday deals. For last minute announcements and sales, follow your favorite stores and websites on Twitter.

Do you plan on hitting up the stores for Black Friday? What tips would you offer up?