Is waking up at the crack of dawn for Black Friday as much of a tradition for you as Thanksgiving is? If so, there are a few things you should keep in mind to make this year's day of scoring great deals safe and successful...
Do Your Research: Make sure you do a little homework before the big day and know what really is a deal and what's a scam. Prices get hiked up and quality falls by the wayside to get shoppers in the door. Remember it is about the stores making money after all right? Some big stores even buy appliances and electronics with a slightly different name or number preventing you from comparison shopping. So remember to compare features on these items and not names.
Avoid Shoppers Remorse: Don't let the excitement of all the flashy, shiny sales get the best of you. Have a list of what you need to get, what you want to get, and what you wish you could get (if you find a super, killer deal). Put them in order of importance and stick to it.
Shop Sober: If you are preparing to head out at midnight or three in the morning maybe re-thinking that last glass of wine at Thanksgiving dinner might be a good idea. This is an obvious statement if you are driving, but even if you are in the passenger seat having a clear head to better avoid coming home with a pile of 'stuff' that made you say, "what was I thinking?" or " I spent what?" might not be a bad idea.
Don't Forget Your Coupons: I think this one is self-explanatory.
Stay Together: Keep track of the people you're with. If you are planning to go your own way or happen to get separated agree on a non crowded meeting place and time in case you don't hear your phone ring or your battery dies.
Observe Your Surroundings: We have all heard of people being trampled during the frenzy of Black Friday events. Be aware of your surroundings and try to stay away from the people with the 'sale crazy' eyes. You may not get the free gift for the first 50 people, but at least you will be able to walk out of the store without assistance.
Be Safe: With all of the gifts and money and people in a frenzy you should take extra precautions while shopping. Don't leave your purchases out in the open or under a blanket in your car while you go for more. Keep everything locked in the trunk. Try to park under a street lamp and lock your car as soon as you get in. Also, be aware of your credit card and cash at all times. Don't walk away from the counter stuffing things into your wallet. Get everything settled before you move on.
Reduce Your Load: Find out what's better to wait for Cyber Monday to purchase online, and what is better to get in a brick and mortar business.
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I will forever hate that "the Friday after Thanksgiving" is now forever known as "Black Friday." SOOOOOOO festive. :(
It's a con!
Definitely a con. The only way to win the game is not to play.
patrick: I've been told the Friday after Thanksgiving is also "Pie for Breakfast Day," which is pretty much as festive as it gets. : )
I'm not doing Black Friday. I'm doing Small Business Saturday.
I am totally on board for "Pie for Breakfast Day" but it seems this year all of AT is shilling for Black Friday. Get a grip, people. Hideous name, hideous "tradition." I guess for those who choose to go, let the tramplings begin.
@ Ruth, GREAT idea (i never shop big box or high street anyway),
and @ charlotte- yes! why is AT and posters/ shilling for this horrible consummerist "tradition"!?- definitely something that needs to die out sooner rather than later. (ASAP)
a con to be sure.
I've always hated (and avoided) Black Friday. What bothers me even more is that it's spilling back into Thanksgiving Day. I'll be observing either Buy Nothing Day (Nov 26) or Small Business Saturday (also Nov 26). I'm definitely on board for Pie for breakfast Friday too!
If you've got to shop on "Black Friday" go out and spend you hard earned cash at a local shop or with a local crafts person!
@Citygirlincountry,
wow, that was not racist at all.... True many manufacturers are based in china (most people who work in factories works under terrible conditions) but in the 21st century people refer to chinese nationals as well... Chinese. the word you used is victorian, orientalist, and racist. not cool at all.
@Jin, perhaps you're not cool as you think you are. I was not talking about the chinese people. I was merely making a comment about what the other posters didn't have the balls to say. Buy local? Small business? The "Chinaman" I was referring to in my "JOKE" was any corporation, entity, or person who has moved their company to China for the sole purpose of exploiting cheap labor of those people who are working in those horrible conditions merely so they can make an extra buck. I'm not old enough to remember when that term was used as a derrogatory remark. If I wanted to be a "racist" I could have thought of a lot worse words to use than that. I find it highly offensive that you not only directly called me a racist but also two other derrogatory remarks , since you personally don't know me then you have no right to slander me. I also find it very interesting that Apartment Therapy would use this as an excuse to remove my comment. For a web site that clearly touts itself as free thinking and liberal they sure do rely on a lot of advertizing bucks from the big corporate retailers and designers. I think that is who I offended, not the chinese people. Hypocrites!
@ citygirl,
i'm chinese and what you said was racist, sorry to tell you. "Chinamen" is extremely deragatory, derived from victorian racist language used in countless bills against chinese immigration to the Americas. I completely agree that Chinese manufacturing is highly problematic, I never shop at big corps, big box stores, I don't buy furniture that was mass produced; however use the opportunity to learn something.
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