7 Rules: Conquering Black Friday
November 23, 2011, By Kasie Baltes 0 comments
It was 4 a.m., and I was cold, confused and more tired than I can even begin to explain. Maybe because I was still feeling comatose from all the turkey I ate a few hours prior, or the fact that it was 4 a.m. and every non-lunatic was still sleeping in their bed.
That would be the normal thing to do, but no. Every Friday after Thanksgiving, hysteria strikes, making it okay to shop in the wee hours of the morning. Not only is it "okay," it's expected—from me anyway. Expected to get the best deals, expected to get some major shopping done and to have some fun in the process. But every year the same thing happens. It's not fun. Far from it. It's like a battle zone. People running, grabbing items they're not sure they even want, just because it's on sale. I end up spending money, forgetting what the hell I was looking for in the first place.
Black Friday can get the best of us. It can make people a little crazy, and make them forget what the holidays are really about—but if you want to try your luck shopping on the biggest shopping day of the year, check out these seven rules.
1. Do your research
Know where the best deals are and what time you need to be there to get them. Websites such as BlackFriday.info leak Black Friday ads from all the main stores. From Office Max to Sears, this website lets you know what the specials are. So do your research, check out a few online sites and if you find out that something you need to buy is significantly on sale, you will know where to find it.
2. Have a plan
Black Friday shopping is complete chaos. Without a plan you end up wandering through aisles wondering whose idea it was to get up at the crack of dawn. Know what you are looking for and what aisle it is in before stepping foot into a store. Most holiday specials can be found at the front of the store, but for specific items such as electronics, know where they are typically stocked. This will cut out time and stress from this shopping trip.
3. Conquer a large store in a group
If you plan on shopping at a large store like Target or Walmart, I suggest going to the store with a couple of other people. With a few people you are able to gain more ground and get your hands on more items at once. There may be items you want in electronics and in the toy section; separate the group and conquer.
4. If not available, ask for a rain check
If certain items are out of stock—talk to a store associate to see if you can get a rain check on the item. If the store does offer rain checks, you will be able to purchase the item once it is back in stock at the special price advertised on Black Friday. Most stores will not offer rain checks, and are on a first-come, first-serve basis, so be aware of store policies and offers.
5. Double-check prices at checkout
Although stores will have advertised prices for Black Friday, there are times when the item will not ring up correctly at check out. To ensure you are getting the best deal, know how much the item is before checking out, and check the cash register's price as you ring out.
6. Be friendly
Sounds a bit obvious, but I'm very serious on this rule. There are hundreds and thousands of store associates who gave up time with their loved ones on a holiday and missed sleep so they could help you buy gifts. Keep that in mind when you are shopping, no matter how tired you are.
7. Move onto the next store, quickly
First off, if you plan on visiting more than one store on Black Friday, I applaud you. It is a very busy day, which also makes traffic as hectic as being inside a packed store. Once you get what you need from the first store, move on. Don't go aisle to aisle thinking you might have missed something. There will be other days to do that. You are most likely on a deadline for the best deals, so get what you need, and move on to the next store.
