Top 10 Black Friday list
The Frugal Factors top 10 Strategies for Black Friday:
1. If you see it buy it! Many retailers have cut down on the quantity of merchandise this year. So, if you find a desirable item make the purchase. But, be sure you know the stores return policy. This way if you see the item again at a lower price, you can buy it again and return the first one.
2. Buy Black Friday merchandise before Black Friday. Then you can go to the store on Black Friday, walk right up the customer service desk and ask to return and re-buy the product.
There are a few key things to be aware of when doing this:
—Know the stores return and price match policy.
—Be sure you buy the exact product that will be on-sale on Black Friday.
—Do a return re-buy, not just a price adjustment – this will keep your rebates valid.
3. Before heading out for Black Friday shopping Research online for the best price of the items you hope to get. Decide which items are really worth waiting in line for! Use www.PriceGrabber.com and Amazon.com to get your base prices.
4. Divide and conquer. I you go out for black Friday be sure to do it with friends. You will need someone to hold your spot in line while you go to the bathroom. That means at least two people per store. Oh, and people PLEASE brush your teeth – I may be talking to you and bad morning breath I don’t need.
5. The day before decide who will go to which store, and what they will get. Tape the picture of the items on an index card. Be sure to ring up items separately that need receipts and different addresses for rebates. Search for online coupons – and print them before you leave home. Print a few extra and give them to people in the store (it doesn’t hurt to make a few friends). Bring your reward cards and coupons. (CVS, Best Buy, Office Depot, OfficeMax, Staples – Don’t forget your Ink Rewards checks)
6. On thanksgiving day many items may be on sale online. So, be sure to check before heading out to the store. Remember items sell out fast even online!
7. The day before, “preparation Thursday” – get all your materials ready, cards with the items you want, a list of stores you will visit and the order you will “hit” them. Have a few granola bars, and something to keep you warm. A small cushion or chair – the ground can be very cold and hard. Bring something to read, watch or listen two. Since there are two or more of you, an hour before the store opens – one of you can run all these comfort items to the car.
8. Many store will give out vouchers and hour before the store opens up. These vouchers or tickets will hold the item for you until a set time, usually 9 or 10 AM. Once you get the voucher you can move on to another store, and return later for the item. Do not browse – this is a hunting trip. Get in the store kill, I mean grab what you came for check out and move on!
9. While one of you is running through the store getting all the products, the other person should be at the register line. If you get to the checkout to quick, be kind and let someone ahead of you.
If your buying large ticket items like TV’s, Computers etc, be sure to use a credit card that offers a FREE Warranty Extension, Loss and Damage Prevention. Like THIS ONE
10. Meet your Black Friday Crew at a local restaurant – share your stories and divvy up all the purchases and receipts.
Oh, yeah – please stop hiding Black Friday Merchandise in the store, so you can find it on Black Friday – that’s just not fair!
Finally buy “The Frugal Factor” and learn how to have Black Friday everyday, all year long.