Let’s face it, shopping on Black Friday is chaotic. Some people find the chaos of frantic shoppers swirling around them to be exhilarating, while others will find it to be completely overwhelming. No matter which kind of shopper you are, you can take advantage of these helpful hints, to make your Black Friday shopping experience a successful one.
Do some research.
It’s time to do your homework. Take the time to look over the sales that different stores near you will be having this Friday. You can do this by looking at the newspaper inserts, or by going online and checking out the store’s website.
You are looking for key pieces of information:
What time will the store open on Black Friday?
Do you need to have a ticket in order to be allowed to purchase some of the hot items?
What specific deals does this store have that you seriously intend to purchase?
What time does the sale end? Will the sales continue through Saturday or Sunday?
Make a plan
Now that you have the relevant information, it’s time to make a plan. You might find it helpful to write yourself a note, (either on paper, or electronically), so you won’t forget your plan. What store are you going to first? What things are you planning to get from that particular store? Sticking to your plan is going to prevent you from wasting both time and money on Black Friday.
Dress for the weather
No matter where you live, it’s going to be cold outside before the sun comes up. Personally, I find that waiting in line, outside, in the wee hours of the morning, while waiting for a store to open it’s doors, makes the cold weather feel even colder! Wear layers. Wear a hat, gloves, and a scarf. Make sure your coat is designed to protect you from the temperatures you are about to experience. Don’t forget your feet! Wear warm boots, and extra socks if you think you need to. Nothing is more miserable than waiting in the cold, with frozen toes.
What not to bring
This might seem obvious, but it is worth pointing out to those who do not realize it. Young children, and infants, will not enjoy shopping on Black Friday. The chaotic environment you are about to head into is overstimulating and stressful for most adults. Imagine how scary this will be for kids!
The excitement of Black Friday causes many adults to act like misbehaving children. People push others out of their way. People try and grab things out of other people’s hands. There have been instances of crowds that stampeded into a store, causing injury and even death to the workers and shoppers around them. Do not bring your children into this potentially dangerous situation. Hire a babysitter, have your spouse watch the kids while you shop, or bring your kids to the home of a family member who will not be shopping on Black Friday instead.
Image by Craig Dugas on Flickr