Black Friday - Tips To Make It Work For You
Black Friday can be a day to get out and find some fantastic deals and officially kick off the holiday. However, for many, it can be a nightmare. If you plan on getting out and hitting the stores, here are some things to keep in mind:
1. Plan Ahead. Take a look over the ads and decide where you want to begin your shopping excursion. Be sure to bring along your shopping list and keep it updated as you find those items you are looking for. Try to lay out your game plan so that you aren’t back tracking all over the city and can save on time and gas.
2. Have a backup plan. There could be hundreds of people eyeing the same product as you. So, be prepared for the fact that when you get to the store, what you want may not be there. It pays to have a secondary plan of action as to what to purchase or another way to find your item (i.e. on line, another store, etc).
3. Bring an extra dose of patience. Remember that there are thousands of people out looking around for great deals along side of you. There will be long lines, product sell-outs and unfortunately, many impatient people. The more patient you are, the more enjoyable your day will be. Also be very kind to the store personnel. This day is crazy for them too and they are dealing with a lot of people, so give them an extra smile and thank you and it will be greatly appreciated.
4. Keep your eye on the prize. There is not any gift that is worth kicking, scratching or clawing someone’s eyes out to get to first. The holidays are not about the perfect gift. Rather than focusing on what to give, try to keep focus on the real meaning of the holiday that your family celebrates.
5. Be safe. Remember that there are a lot of dishonest people out on this same day preying on non-suspecting consumers. Keep your purse or money always in site and be sure to securely lock up those packages out of view before heading to the next store. You will also want to be sure any electronics, such as cell phones or GPS, units are put away and not visible to anyone who may pass by your vehicle.
If you can’t handle crowds or get easily flustered in these situations, then it would probably be best for you to stay at home and catch some on-line deals on either Black Friday or Cyber Monday. If you do brave the long lines, traffic backups and mobs of people, remember these 5 steps to make your Black Friday experience a good one! Happy Shopping!!