Plan for Black Friday Shopping

by Kay Lynn

It’s only three weeks until the shopping extravaganza known as Black Friday. Last year I shared tips on successful Black Friday shopping which we’ve used to find many bargains over the years.

Now it’s time to figure if I want to participate in 2010.  Mr. Boomer and I started talking about what we want to get in the near future.

Shopping List

To avoid buying things just because they’re cheap, make a list of what items you may buy at the right price.

We don’t have a video camera and hope the flip type cameras are a bargain this year. It would be great to film our grandson and take on trips.

The thinking is that the iPad will be the big item this year so if you want one, get ready.

Be Prepared

The sales aren’t just on Black Friday.  We bought a netbook last year at a great price during a pre-Thanksgiving sale at Best Buy.  One year later even we are surprised at how much it’s used.

After you know what your want, start scouring ads now.

Resources

It was October when I received my first email from Black Friday 2010. They change the year on their site annually so subscribing to their updates will carry over to the next year.

A similar site is Black Friday.Info.  Both sites have scans of the actual ads as well as a search database. A good feature is the ability to create your shopping list to print out and take with you.

———-$$$$$———-

The shopping day starts at 3 am for at least one store.  Will you be shopping on Black Friday?


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{ 14 comments }

Dana November 5, 2010 at 5:54 am

I’m waiting for all the Black Friday ads to leak out – then I can compare the prices. Not sure if I am going to brave all the crowds on BF though, may just try to do most of my shopping online – just want to be sure I can get the free shipping!

Kay Lynn November 7, 2010 at 5:05 am

Dana, I did my shopping online two years ago when we were in the mountains. It was great; I found everyone I wanted online wearing my jammies!

retirebyforty November 5, 2010 at 9:48 am

I can’t wait until Black Friday. I need new socks and underclothes. 🙂

Kay Lynn November 7, 2010 at 5:06 am

Retireby40, I was thinking of something more expensive, but they have clothing on sale as well :). Come to think of it, I do need some socks (where do all the mates go…..)

Mandy November 5, 2010 at 10:11 am

Arrgh … I am not a good shopper and the thought of this just makes me want to put my head under the pillow and stay there. On the other hand … I do need a new computer monitor. Mine has a narrow bright line running vertically down the screen and it’s really annoying especially since it appeared about a week after the warranty expired.

Also thinking of buying an ereader for my daughter for Christmas .. still trying to decide which is the best but I guess Black Friday might be a good day to look for this.

Kay Lynn November 7, 2010 at 5:07 am

Mandy, I think it’s time to replace that monitor! Remember to look for these things starting now. You might find a great deal earlier so you don’t have to go out with the crowds on Black Friday.

iamtheworkingpoor November 5, 2010 at 6:21 pm

Decades of working retail have sucked the holiday spirit right out of me. I’ve worked on Black Friday in several different stores. If I happen to be off there is absolutely no way on earth that I will leave my home. No deal is great enough to convince me to venture out. Besides I always wait a few years for new electronics. The price drops drastically after everyone else has bought one. 🙂

Kay Lynn November 7, 2010 at 5:08 am

Working Poor, I usually don’t get electronics when they are new either. So, no iPad for me.

Laura November 5, 2010 at 8:45 pm

I love shopping on Black Friday. My Mom is still mad @ me for what I did to her last year. Since I couldn’t be in multiple places @ the same time, while I was @ Meijer’s getting a bike for one of my boys, I sent her to Target and then over to KMart. Got everything I wanted for the price I wanted to pay!

Kay Lynn November 7, 2010 at 5:09 am

Laura, divide and conquer is needed sometimes to get everything on your list. Kohl’s is opening at 3 am this year so if I want anything there it’ll be the first stop.

Bret @ Hope to Prosper November 6, 2010 at 10:48 am

Until last year, I had never shopped on Black Friday. My wife was out of town and I wanted to get her a netbook. So, I though I would give it a try.

I got up at 5:00 AM and drove over to Wal-Mart and it was pandamonium. Every isle was packed with grumpy people, who had to wait until 6:00 AM to check out. Wal-Mart had vouchers for about three netbooks and the people who got them had waited in line all night.

So, I drove over to Sears and nobody was there. There were more employees than customers in the store. I walked right into the Electronics department, but they don’t sell computers. I guess that’s why Sears is where America used to shop.

Finally, I went home, jumped online and bought it from Dell. They had a special deal and free shipping. I got the color and model I wanted and it took about five minutes.

I am going to skip Black Friday this year.

Kay Lynn November 7, 2010 at 5:11 am

Bret, that’s the beauty of Black Friday shopping now; you can do much or all of it online. I will probably try that first before venturing out in the cold,dark early morning. (Okay, it’s not that cold in Southern California but it feels that way those of us with thin blood.)

Heather November 8, 2010 at 8:45 pm

I once got up at dawn, scored several great deals, then returned to my hotel to wake the family for our day at Disney World. Yep, I’ll be shopping on Black Friday. Wouldn’t miss it!

Kay Lynn November 14, 2010 at 12:22 pm

Heather, you sound like me! Last year, I had an early flight so made my husband go out after dropping me at the airport.

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