Thanksgiving Day always finds me content and full of turkey, looking forward to paging through a stack of ads to create my Black Friday shopping plan.
I’ve compiled a short list of my favorite Black Friday shopping tips. I’d love for you to read them, then let me know what your best tips are as well! Happy deal-hunting!
Top 5 Tips for Black Friday Shopping
1. Plan ahead.
Make a list of what you need to purchase ahead of time for everyone on your list. Sticking to a plan will keep you on budget and save you time. Consider a backup plan in case in-demand items are out of stock.
2. Get smart.
Do some research with both store ads and online prices. Educate yourself with an idea of a regular price and a low price for the items you’re looking to buy – keeping in mind that the lowest prices often appear BEFORE Black Friday. Browse ads, searching for items on your list to find them at various stores the week of Black Friday. And don’t forget to check online reviews to avoid wasting money on a low quality product.
3. Beware of doorbusters.
The best doorbuster deals are very limited quantity (sometimes as few as 5 in stock per location) and your chances of landing them are slim. Most earlybird deals will be picked over and out of stock quickly (unless you want to pitch a tent outside Best Buy). This is especially true for electronics. Stores trust that you’ll find something else to purchase as long as they can lure you into the store. Either way, consider whether the savings is worthwhile. Standing outside in the cold for 5 hours to save $100 on a TV? You’ll need to decide if the time and inconvenience is worth more than $20 per hour.
4. Find strength in numbers.
Divide and conquer. Bring along a friend or two; one can hold your place in line while the others head to various store departments (or to the bathroom for a needed break!). Keep cell phones handy for last-minute changes.
5. Shop from home.
In recent years, most of the great deals can be ordered online and shipped at no additional cost. In my opinion, this beats fighting crowds and winter weather and is much less stressful. Consider filling your virtual cart before Black Friday begins and saving it so that you’re ready to go when the sale is live. And always search online for coupon codes before confirming your order. The online deals actually start in mid-November and last well through Cyber Monday (the Monday after Thanksgiving, when most retailers offer free shipping or other deals).
Lisa Davis says
I am not kidding when I say I just told Tim today that you have changed my entire way of shopping. I have some really cool things that I have gotten from your site for Christmas. Thank you so much!!!