Best Friday-After-Thanksgiving Sales in Los Angeles

"Black Friday" - wasn't that a day in 1929 when the United States stock market crashed and bankrupt businessmen threw themselves off buildings? No…although I would consider throwing myself off a roof instead of going shopping! Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving - supposedly the biggest shopping day of the year.

Although shopping centers may tout the Friday after Thanksgiving as their biggest holiday shopping day, in truth Black Friday is not the highest holiday merchant sales day.

The media loves Black Friday. On the morning of November 24, television reporters will be ordered to get out there and shoot video of some "heads in malls." Frantic reporters then call malls around 9 o'clock a.m., still numb from their Thanksgiving celebration, desperate for shots of families having a true holiday shopping experience.

So shopping centers may be full of shoppers, but shoppers will probably not be getting the best bargains!

This year the Industry Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) predicts an increase in November and December chain store sales of .5 percent. But there is a "new" holiday season which you should know about, running from November through January, due to the addition of gift cards to the market. ICSC estimates that between 12 - 15% of 2006 Holiday expenditures will in gift cards sales. In 2005, 40% of gift cards were redeemed between Christmas Day and New Years Eve and 38% were redeemed by the end of January.

Prices normally drop after Christmas Day. So - hint to shoppers - consider buying gift cards or "pre-loaded credit cards" for your special someones this year! They'll be able to purchase more great stuff if you do. Almost all the larger stores have gift cards available and you may find the pre-loaded credit cards from VISA, Mastercard or Am Express websites.

But, if you are into the Black Friday shopping experience, and I know many people are, you can always go to your local shopping mall or outlet center. I don't have to tell you where they are located, just look for the mind-boggling line of cars attempting to enter or leave the parking lot. (Second hint to shoppers - wait to buy gifts until just prior to Christmas. During the past few years panicky stores have had massive storewide discounts as they count down to December 25.)

Myself, I would rather venture out to Los Angeles' bargain stores than spend Black Friday at the local Food Court. Here are a few local stores you might enjoy:

1)The Dock Downtown at 1481 East 4th St. Los Angeles (866) 771-3447 x 201. Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 6pm and Sunday 11am - 5pm. On Black Friday they will feature mark-downs storewide on home furnishings, normally discounted at 50-80% off retail.
2)Decadestwo at 8214 Melrose Ave. Los Angeles (323) 655-1960 Hours: 11:30am - 6:00pm. Features designer resale and consignment merchandise priced up to 90% off retail.
3)Crossroads Trading Co. www.crossroadstrading.com Multiple location resale outlets selling consignment items a fraction of retail. Locations include: 7409 Melrose Ave. Hollywood (323) 782-8100 Hours: Monday - Saturday Noon - 8pm Sunday Noon - 7pm; 1449-B 4th Street Santa Monica (310) 255-0500 Hours: Monday - Saturday 11am - 7pm Sunday Noon - 7pm; 12300 Ventura Blvd. Studio City (818) 761-6200 Hours: Monday - Saturday 11am - 7pm Sunday Noon - 7pm; 8315 Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood (323) 654-0505 Hours: Monday - Saturday Noon - 8pm Sunday Noon - 7pm.
4)Dexsie at 9167 Las Tunas Dr. Temple City (626) 451-0037 Hours: Tuesday - Friday 1pm - 8pm Sat & Sun 11am - 6pm. Features current and last season's overruns at 40%-60% off retail.
5)Super Home Mart at 988 N. Hill St., #101 Los Angeles (213) 628-8898 www.superhomemart.com Hours: Everyday 10:30am - 6pm. Family operated Asian home furnishing store located in the heart of China Town selling items at 20%-75% below retail.
6)Belongings at 4943 McConnell Ave. Warehouse #'s R & S Marina Del Rey (310) 913-4122 www.belongingsfurniture.com Hours: Wednesday - Sunday 10am - 2pm Features home furnishing such as those found at Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware at lower than retail. Some pieces available off the floor. The majority are ordered with a 3-8 week delivery range.
7)Lucky You!! at 12441 Magnolia Blvd. North Hollywood (818) 985-1115 www.luckyyouresale.com Hours: Monday - Saturday 10:30am - 6:30pm Sunday 10am - 4pm. Resale outlet offering 60%-90% off retail on contemporary apparel.
8)Roger Stuart Clothes at 729 S. Los Angeles St. Los Angeles (213) 627-9661Hours: Monday - Saturday 9am - 5:30pm Sunday 10am - 4pm Expensive, designer suits at discount prices.
9)The Outlet by ELS at 1532 S. California Ave. Monrovia (626) 357-8449 ext.4 Hours: Wednesday - Friday 9am - 7pm Saturday & Sunday 9am - 5pm. Large discount club style warehouse prices at 25%-70% below retail.

Of course, you may always shop online this year and avoid the crowds. Some great bargain websites include: bargainsLA.com; keycode.com; shoptopten.com; savingscount.com; and dealhack.com.

However you shop for your gifts this year, remember to be kind to the sales associates. They will be extra tired this Black Friday as more stores extend their shopping hours for you to shop even longer!