On the day after Thanksgiving — commonly known as Black Friday — thousands of shoppers will descend on local stores several hours before sunrise. Yes, the day after Thanksgiving is still one of the busiest shopping days of the year even though retailers have been trying to lure shoppers throughout the month, holding “Black November” and other events before and after the big shopping day.
Maybe you’re planning to join up with the joyful throngs this year. If so, the following seven tips can help make your day memorable, saving you money and aggravation as you shop.
1. Plan It — You may have several shops in mind to visit on Friday morning, but aren’t certain how you’ll cover them all. That may not be so difficult to do especially if stores have staggered openings. For example, in my area Kohl’s will be opening at 3 a.m., Target at 4 a.m., and KMart at 5 a.m. Plan your shopping trip accordingly to be at the stores you want to visit early.
2. Early Specials — Some stores hold Black Friday specials at different times of the day. For example, early bird specials may be held until 12 noon, but additional specials kick in later in the day to get you to come back for more.
3. Bring a Calculator — Keep your spending under control by tracking your purchases as you go. The only way to do that is by calculating your purchases. If you have $500 to spend, then a calculator can help you stay within your budget.
4. Limited Availability — Consumer laws require retailers to let shoppers know if specials are available in limited quantities. If you get to the store and the item is sold out, ask for a rain check to secure that low price if offered. But, be careful — replenishments may arrive too late to ship or give for Christmas.
5. Save Receipts — You may end up with a collection of papered receipts by the time you finish shopping on Black Friday, so make sure that you don’t lose your proof of purchase. Some items may be reduced further after the holiday, which means you could get the difference refunded to you. Ask the retailer about their return policy — most will give gift recipients 14 to 30 days after Christmas to make a return or an exchange.
6. Use Credit — The temptation to overspend when buying with credit is a big one for some consumers, but using a credit card can offer you valuable consumer protection by card providers in the form of money back guarantees on your purchase. Stay disciplined — buy what you want now, but pay off your full bill in December.
7. Shop Online — Often, you can get the same specials by shopping online. Some retailers make Black Friday price specials available on Thanksgiving Day, giving you a leg up on people who are heading to the store. Free or discounted shipping may be available too.
Of course, if going to the dreadful mall is the antithesis of a fun shopping experience you can always wait to the following Monday — Cyber Monday — to shop online for deep savings.
Adv. — Shop online at NBuy Shopping Plaza! We have more than 5,000 retailers features on our website, offering deep discounts on Black Friday, Cyber Monday and throughout the year.
Photo Credit: Robert Proksa
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