Black Friday Shopping

It will come November 28^th this year, the threshold of a day opening to the Christmas or holiday season. People will descend upon various stores, hungry for deals they won't be able to get at any other time of the year. Some of these people are seasoned experts, well versed in Black Friday language. They know where to go, what to get, and how to get it blindfolded. Others may be new and fumble around. This article is for both-over the years, the stores have changed their game, and you need to be aware.

So how do you do it?

Know the game. Here's how it's played, and how you can win.

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I know: do I really have to? Well, if you're looking to find the real bargains, then yes, you should. Not every store on Black Friday is as friendly as they might seem to its customers by way of sales, so to catch the best deals with the least leg work, you should do your research. This consists of many things, including:

Sign up on various Black Friday information sites. There are a few websites you can sign up on to get up-to-the-minute updates on companies whose ads are either leaked (it's happened already this year with Ace Hardware) or released for the general public. These sites include:

http://www.bfads.net
http://www.blackfridayads.com
http://www.blackfriday.info

Sign up on the sites, check out the ads, and start making your lists.

Be aware of pricing. When you get these ads, research the prices. You can do this at home. The sites most often suggested for such research is bizrate.com, www.shopping.com, www.pricegrabber.com, and www.consumerreports.com. Know that some stores employ sneaky methods to get you to think you're getting the best deal when it's hardly the case. This includes marking a price far above what it ought to be, only to mark it back down to price and call it a "sale," other retailers have been said to add on expensive warranties you don't need, or software and accessories. Know what each item should cost and research to ensure it really is the best price available on the market.

Be aware, also, of the quality of the item you're eyeing. A $300 laptop may seem like a dream deal, but if the laptop itself has less-than-stellar reviews, you could end up paying for it later in more ways than one. Again, visit sites such as http://www.epinions.com and http://www.consumerreports.com to get the reviews and pricing for your research.

Set a budget. Decide now what you're going to spend and keep to it. Remember: you're only saving money if you're buying things you were going to get in the first place. Don't buy something just because it's an amazing deal and you'll "find someone to give this to." Know your limits and stick to them.

Get to know each store's return and price-match policy. A lot of Black Friday enthusiasts will tell you (or might not) that they buy an item they know will be a Black Friday item a week early; then, on Black Friday, they return the item for a price-match and get the difference in price. There are stores that will honor this, but increasingly they are wising up to the trick and won't allow such strategies. Call the store ahead of time, speak with Customer Service or a manager, and ask them what their Black Friday return and price match policies are.

Make a list of the stores that offer a price-match guarantee and go to the store with the highest price for the item you want. This will probably cut down on the number of stores you head to, and you'll get the price you want anyway. The stores want your business, but they're not counting on your preparation.

Start collecting coupons. Some sites, such as Circuit City and Best Buy have an online newsletter where they will periodically send or offer coupons. Oftentimes, they'll have some at the store as well. Keep on top of it and know that, if you play your cards right with what's known as a "triple play" (sales, coupons, rebates), you could even get paid money at the register.

If you really want to, you could search online for deals and coupons. Just type in the name of the store and "coupons" or "discounts" and see what pops up. Be aware, though, of the expiration date.

Find a babysitter and a shopping partner-in-crime. Do it now-you don't want to be stuck with the kids come Black Friday. Besides, having them up before sunrise will result in grumpy children, and you need as little to worry about as possible. Leave them home with your husband/wife or friend.

...Then find someone to go with you. This "someone" should be a friend you have fun with and who is just as much into this idea as you are. You'll want your group to be small enough to communicate with quickly and effectively. You don't want any more confusion than may be already present.

Friends are helpful in many ways once the big day arrives. They can hold your place in line while you use the bathroom, you can split up the list to better ensure everyone gets what they want, or they could hold your place in the checkout line as you get everything. Those checkout lines can be rather long, so this isn't such a horrible idea. It's best to get in, get out, and get moving to the next store with the best deals. A friend can also keep you on task and away from buying items that aren't on your list that you really don't need.

When the Ads Do Come Out...

Get your lists organized. Trisha Tillotson, a Black Friday enthusiast and mother of two, suggested shoppers "make a detailed list of [what] you want to buy for everyone on your Christmas list. Then make a separate list with each store, time they open, and must have hot buys that you want to be sure to get. Once I get the list completed, I usually go through it again to prioritize which sales I want to hit first. This usually ends up striking out a few stores."

Make sure you don't lose those ads. If you think you might, keep a copy in your car, purse, etc. The ads do and will come handy once Black Friday rolls around.

As for knowing what time each store opens, you can find out that information either by calling the store itself or visiting www.blackfriday.info . This information comes in handy as to prioritizing which stores to hit first. Some 24 hour Walmart stores allow their customers inside but don't allow for any purchasing until a specified time. Others close for a few hours while the employees prepare. Know what your stores are up to!

On Thanksgiving Week...

Get everything you have so far organized. Have a separate list for each store, complete with ads and information you'll need. Become its friend. Some Black Friday enthusiasts actually create maps of each store they intend to visit and mark down where everything ought to be so they can have a "plan of attack" for expediency.

Speaking of, call the stores you're interested in visiting and inquire as to the expected quantity of the hot buys you're eyeing. This will help you to prioritize. While you're on the phone with them, ask a store employee or manager for any tips unique to the store. Do people often hide stuff? How early should you arrive? Do they hand out "tickets"? Door busters? How aggressive can their shoppers be?

Some suggest hiding the items you want a week early to assure you get them. This is a consideration but know that some stores are onto you, and some also take careful inventory of each item before the big day. It will not bode well if you are caught.

Lastly, make sure plans with babysitters and friends are finalized. Also be sure to clean out the car to make sure you have space for all the gifts you'll be putting in it later.

Thanksgiving Day

Charge your phone! Cell phones come in rather handy when you need to quickly and easily communicate with your friends who are in various areas of the store.

Get that Thanksgiving Day ad! Know that some of the best Black Friday deals aren't made public until Thanksgiving Day-or even Black Friday itself. Pour over it and make any last minute changes or additions to your list. Hopefully by now you know what each store policy is, what time it opens, etc, so you can make these changes easily.

Thanksgiving Night

Feel like staying up all night? Many deals are made available at midnight-so get on the computer and check. The less stuff you have to buy at the store, the less of a hassle you'll be dealing with.

Black Friday: 3 A.M.

Use the bathroom before you leave. Yes, if you have a friend they can help hold your place in line, but you don't want to be in the middle of it all and have to use the bathroom.

Why?

Stories abound online of people who've left their carts outside the store bathrooms only to have their merchandise stolen. It happens.

Consider ditching the purse. Some sites suggest you leave this at home, as its one less thing to lose or have stolen. It's up to you, though. You can always just place your driver's license, credit/debit cards/cash in your pockets.

Dress accordingly. You know what the weather will be like. Dress in layers so that, when the weather warms up, you can ditch the jacket.

In Line at the Store

You made it! Some shoppers use this time to play cards, listen to their iPods, eat, etc. Other shoppers, however, advise that you use this time to make nice with the other people in line. You may need their kindness later.

Get your ads out, too. Remind yourself of what you're getting and what it costs. Having the ads with you not only helps for reminders, but they're also important in the case of a dispute. A post on www.dealtaker.com related a story where store clerks claimed a customer needed a special coupon you could only receive in the mail to get the deal. This obviously wasn't the case as the item was advertised in the newspaper. When the customers spoke with the manager and showed him the ad, they got the deal.

Why did the employees lie? They were holding the items for friends and were subsequently fired.

Having the ads with you is also good for when you're at the cash register. Make sure the items ring up as advertised, and if they don't, speak with a manager. Sometimes little things are added onto the price (warranties, etc) and you don't find out until you're paying for it.

Getting in the store.

Grab a cart, or don't grab a cart? Depends on how much stuff you intend to get. If you're only in to get one or two things (depending on the size of the item), then leave the cart alone. Some shoppers insist it slows you down and cuts into your mobility.

If you do decide you need a cart, get one ASAP: they disappear quickly.

Be nice to the store employees. Offer a smile or a piece of candy. A little kindness can go a long way, and they may be privy to some information that you might want or need-such as where some things may be hidden (some shoppers visit the store early and hide items for themselves).

At the Register...

Again, watch the price of each item as its rung up. Ensure you get any gift receipts, and/or the receipts themselves. You or your loved one may need them later-many stores are tightening their post-Black Friday return policies.

And Lastly...

Be careful. Shoppers aren't the only ones out on Black Friday looking for a deal. Make sure you leave valuables out of sight and lock your car doors. You don't want the stuff you've worked and planned so long to have a thief steal it.

If You Strike Out...

There's always "Cyber Monday"-many retailers offer some superb deals on their websites the Monday following. Coupons work here, too-do a search for coupon codes. Remember, too, if you're a member of an auto club, such as AAA, you're entitled to some discounts right away anyway.

With these tips, even a novice should have a successful Black Friday. Good luck and have fun!