Black Friday Super Shopping Strategies

Monday, November 22, 2010

For some families, devising a plan to win the best bargains on Black Friday has become as much of a Thanksgiving tradition as mom’s mashed potatoes and Aunt Peggy’s dreaded green bean casserole. Whether headed to Main Street or the mall, here are some surefire tips to make the most out of the official kick-off to the Christmas shopping season.

1. Making Your List, Checking It Twice

Black Friday is the big leagues, and there’s no room for dilly-dallying. Start with a list of who you need to buy for and what you’re planning to buy them, consider the place(s) you’re most likely to find it and the store’s locale. At the end of the list, make a mental note of what shops are near one another so you can make the most of your time when you pound the pavement.

2. Get a Leg Up

What used to require a dining room table full of store circulars can now be done with the click of a button thanks to a ton of websites like Black-Friday.net, which allows users peruse all the predawn deals from major retailers. Carefully note all “Doorbusters” deals as some retailers limit bargains to certain hours while others extend them all day. Crosscheck your shopping list with limited bargain hours and prioritize accordingly. (Insider’s tip: print out ads of where you plan to go––they’ll come in handy in the unlikely event the item rings up higher and there’s a dispute over the promotional price.)

3. That’s The Ticket

Big ticket items, including TVs, laptops and other electronics, and the season’s hottest must-have toys and gadgets, are usually the first to sell out. Access your priorities––while it

may sound good to save 40% on outerwear, but it may come at the price of losing out on a better get. (Insider’s tip––some credit card companies offer warranty coverage when an item is charged on their card that may be better than the store offer extended service agreement. Look into your credit card perks like these ahead of time.)

4. There’s No “I” in Team

Power shopping in numbers has its privileges. Teamwork can help cover more territory in less time, so if there’s a some smaller gift items you want at a store that a pal has at the top of their list, write out what you would like (with sizes if necessary) and provide cash in advance (Insider’s tip: make your Thanksgiving more enjoyable by making your ATM withdrawal tomorrow or Wednesday––machines may well have lines on Black Friday or worse, run out of cash).

5. Bag It

Good things come in small packages, but small packages can easily get lost––especially when you’re lugging around a lot of loot. Bring along a reusable tote (they’re just about everywhere nowadays) that you can sling over your shoulder and tuck away smaller bags.

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