Top 10 Black Friday shopping tips

Posted on Nov 21, 2011 in Top-10's | 0 comments

Black Friday is known as the busiest shopping day of the year, but for good reason.  Not only does it officially inaugurate the Christmas season, but many stores offer large discounts on particular items.  Electronic items are generally at their lowest prices of the year on Black Friday.

In recent years, Black Friday sales have started earlier and continued throughout the weekend, including Cyber Monday, an online-only shopping event.  If you’re like me and don’t want to get up at the crack of dawn the day after Thanksgiving, then make sure to look out for Cyber Monday deals.

Look up ads before Black Friday- Most stores will release specials a few weeks before Black Friday.  Some of the best resources are the comprehensive Black Friday-focused websites such as bfads.net, www.blackfriday.info, http://www.amazon.com/Black-Friday-After-Thanksgiving-Sale/b?ie=UTF8&node=384082011, and www.theblackfriday.com.   Many stores are also giving their Twitter followers and Facebook fans a heads-up on Black Friday deals, as well as exclusive coupon codes.  Start following your favorite stores on Twitter and “like” them on Facebook now so you can track the deals leading up to Black Friday.

Shop online first- You don’t always have to leave the house to find the best deals.  Sometimes the best deals are only a mouse-click away. Many stores offer the same deals online and even offer free shipping.  Be sure and check when online Black Friday sales begin because some online sales start at midnight on Thanksgiving.

Bring ads with you- Many stores have a lowest price match guarantee but you must be able to prove it.  Even if they don’t advertise it like Wal-Mart does, many stores will match you if you can prove that their product is cheaper elsewhere.

Compare prices- Many smartphones have apps such as ShopSavvy, PriceGrabber and Red Laser- all of which are free- that help you compare prices.  With a smartphone you simply use the camera to scan a products barcode, wait a few seconds and see where it’s the available for the lowest price.  To save yourself time and energy you should look up and compare prices before you go to an actual store.

Shop close to home- It is definitely not worth driving all over town if prices only vary by a couple dollars.  For those highly sought-out electronic deals, most major brands vary by only a few dollars from chain to chain.  Also, don’t be afraid to ask for them to match the price of a competitor, but be prepared to prove it.

Only shop the deals- Focus your time and energy on the exclusive Black Friday deals, and don’t worry about the rest of your Christmas shopping.  Buying things not on your list can lead to impulse buys and overspending.  Things will continue to go on sale throughout the Holiday Season so just focus on the big-ticket items and save the rest for later.

Know the store’s return policies- Check the store’s policies before Black Friday because that can determine where you go.   Even if you know a store’s general return policy it might be different for Black Friday specials. Most stores are shortening the amount of time you have to return an item and some might have restocking fees.  Even if you don’t plan on returning an item, always keep your receipt.

Look for bundled deals- Many stores will combine two or more items in a specially priced holiday package.  Make sure that you check out each item’s individual price before buying the bundled deal, especially if you were not originally planning on getting everything offered in the package.  You can save a lot of money this way, but it also is a great way for stores to trick you into buying things you don’t really need.  The most important thing is to do your research.

Check out QR codes- Many stores are now engaging shoppers with smartphones through quick response codes.  These barcode-like graphics can be displayed on newspaper and magazine ads, on packaging and even on websites.  QR codes are read through a QR reader app.  Be on the lookout for stores that are targeting smartphone users with special deals and offers through QR codes.

Sign up for e-mail alerts-Many stores use email alerts to provide incentives for frequent customers and generate store loyalty.  Signing up for these alerts gives you a heads-up on upcoming promotions as well as exclusive customer discounts.