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Black Friday Shopping Tips
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The day after Thanksgiving is commonly known as Black Friday,
one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Stores will
release enticing ads to lure the hordes of shoppers who are
chomping at the bit to get the best deals. If you're one of
those brave souls who plan on setting your alarm and venturing
out into the wee hours of the morning to fight the crowds, there
are several things you can do to not only survive Black Friday,
but have fun as well.
Decisions, Decisions
First of all, if you value your sanity or are somewhat frail,
consider staying home and leaving the chaos to others. Many are
simply content to choose less hectic days to go Christmas
shopping, sales or not. Weather may play a part in the
retailers' success, but just how may people will be out and
about is difficult to determine. Don't count on avid shoppers
staying in bed if the snow is flying and winds brisk.
Be Organized
Peruse the ads carefully and devise a plan of action. Be sure to
read the small print because some sales may only apply to
certain hours of the morning or day. You will need to set your
priorities and make a schedule. Sometimes you will be forced
to sacrifice one thing for another because you can't be two
places at once. In that situation, consider the price and
availability of the items lest you make a wrong decision and end
up with neither. Furthermore, lists are crucial. The more
orderly the lists, the more likely you are to get the goods.
Scope It Out
All's fair when it comes to getting the next hot gadget or gift.
If you want a bit of an edge, check out the stores in advance to
find out where the items in the ads are located. Sometimes
though, stores will keep the most wanted items in the back to
prevent people from hiding them the night before, then returning
to retrieve them when the Black Friday sale is on. Still, you
can get a general idea if you know where similar items are
located. Also, take a look at the end caps because they're prime
areas for sale items. Ones that are being cleared will soon have
new merchandise.
Buddy System or Solo
Taking a friend has it's benefits but sometimes it can be a
hindrance. You will need to decide if it's more important to
have a buddy to talk to in the lines or perhaps choose the first
store. If you do go with a friend, make sure have the same
agenda! Once you're out, cell phones are handy for communicating
provided that you have a signal inside the store. Regardless,
it's wise to have a meeting place to reconnect and prepare to
move on to the next store.
Survival Kit
Lines, lines, and more lines. Consider yourself out in the
wilderness. You will need a means for survival. Take a purse or
handbag that is comfortable to carry but a bit larger than
average. This will allow you to take along some acetaminophen, a
bottle of water and something to eat.
The bottle of water doesn't need to be full, just have enough in
it to quench your thirst (you do not want to take frequent
bathroom breaks.) A candy, breakfast, or granola bar will give
you a burst of energy and sustain you until lunch. Getting up
early enough to have breakfast before you leave the house is a
wise strategy to ward off hunger and crankiness.
Shop Online
You can beat the crowds altogether by buying gifts online. Cyber
Monday is typically a big shopping day online right after Black
Friday, however, there are also great deals the weekend before.
Check the home pages of your favorite Internet stores for ads
and look for coupons offering savings. Shopping early gives
plenty of time for the items to arrive and many stores will give
you free or discounted shipping.
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