Hey everyone, since not everyone on this forum is an experienced BF'er, lets compile a list of tips. If y'all have anything to add, just post, and ill add it to the list.
1. Eat Breakfast (don't forget the caffein) 2. Dress Warmly! 3. Fill up on gas before thanksgiving. 4. Bring a thermos of hot coffee (or chocolate) 5. Figure out what you are going to buy, where ,and when. 6. Wear comfortable shoes! 7. if you're short and weight 100lbs (twiggy-like), wear protective gear (I know I learned better last BF, thanks to the large woman who ran me over with her shopping cart and twisted my ankle) 8. Talk to fellow BFers 9. Here's a big one in my opinion...if you're intending to get a big ticket item from the front page of a Black Friday ad, you better be prepared to go down and wait starting probably in the early afternoon on Thanksgiving; if you're not willing to go that early for those big ticket items, don't bother. People are gunning for these big ticket items; in each year I've gone, I've seen people line up before me even at like 8 o'clock at night, they stay there till the tickets for items are given out around 4 am, then they leave because they didn't get the big ticket item (I'm referring mostly to cheap computers, I usually do mine at Best Buy first) 10. Go to the stores you are planning to shop at like a week before to see where the items of the store might be out. Also defintely as others suggested for big ticket items you better plan on camping out. Always take a friend to either help hold your place in line or help you grab those super bargain items. I also learned that your best deals may be at newly opened stores that haven't gone through a black friday yet. This happened to me and my friend at the Midlothian Wal-Mart near Dallas TX which we were at for the first black friday a year ago. Short story goes since know of the employees really knew how hectic the sale would be the electronics manager ended selling every laptop in the store for 350 dollars each! My friend and I walked out of that place with lappys that were easily worth 750 or so for 350! So it pays to try a new store that has yet to experience the black friday sale! 11. Wear a FW shirt! BE THE REVOLUTION!
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posted: Oct. 18, 2008 @ 11:52a
at630
Member
posted: Oct. 18, 2008 @ 6:13p
cool topic! I'm not the most experienced BFer, but I'd like to throw my hat in on this one: 3.fill up your gas tank BEFORE Thanksgiving so you get a better price on gas 4.If you'll be standing in a line outside, bring a thermos of coffee (or hot cocoa, yum!) 5.Make a list of what you'll be buying where, figure out which store you'll be starting the morning with, and plan your shopping route to find shortest distance or shortest travel time, depending on which will be more important (do you have to get to the next store by 7am? If not, save gas by picking the shortest distance) 6. wear comfortable shoes! (maybe even running shoes, lol) 7. if you're short and weight 100lbs (twiggy-like), wear protective gear (I know I learned better last BF, thanks to the large woman who ran me over with her shopping cart and twisted my ankle) Also, I like to start the season out by listening to the season's music; a radio station in my city starts playing holiday music at 12am on BF, and it helps me get into the mood for the holiday shopping.
-Talk to the other people around you; you might find it fun to commiserate with others, plus they might have info on a hot deal that you might not be privy to -Here's a big one in my opinion...if you're intending to get a big ticket item from the front page of a Black Friday ad, you better be prepared to go down and wait starting probably in the early afternoon on Thanksgiving; if you're not willing to go that early for those big ticket items, don't bother. People are gunning for these big ticket items; in each year I've gone, I've seen people line up before me even at like 8 o'clock at night, they stay there till the tickets for items are given out around 4 am, then they leave because they didn't get the big ticket item (I'm referring mostly to cheap computers, I usually do mine at Best Buy first)
nativeamericansaver
Thrifty Member
posted: Oct. 19, 2008 @ 5:15p
Go to the stores you are planning to shop at like a week before to see where the items of the store might be out. Also defintely as others suggested for big ticket items you better plan on camping out. Always take a friend to either help hold your place in line or help you grab those super bargain items. I also learned that your best deals may be at newly opened stores that haven't gone through a black friday yet. This happened to me and my friend at the Midlothian Wal-Mart near Dallas TX which we were at for the first black friday a year ago. Short story goes since know of the employees really knew how hectic the sale would be the electronics manager ended selling every laptop in the store for 350 dollars each! My friend and I walked out of that place with lappys that were easily worth 750 or so for 350! So it pays to try a new store that has yet to experience the black friday sale!
Do your homework. Search for same BF items at other stores that offer price matchng. Couple years ago, after lining up at 4am to try to snag an HDTV from BB only to find that they had sold out, I went over to Sears to pick out a few tools and by pure luck saw the same HDTV model there. With price matching +10%, I came out with a better deal...and of course, no line!
753112
Member
posted: Oct. 24, 2008 @ 1:56p
I would agree with most tips listed.
Another one would be to bring cash. While you might want to use your credit card and get the points/Cash Back, some stores have cash only lines which move a lot quicker. Found this out last year. Might come in handy for small items where Cash Back won't make a difference.
Tixin said: Do your homework. Search for same BF items at other stores that offer price matchng. Couple years ago, after lining up at 4am to try to snag an HDTV from BB only to find that they had sold out, I went over to Sears to pick out a few tools and by pure luck saw the same HDTV model there. With price matching +10%, I came out with a better deal...and of course, no line! Many stores do not price match on BF!
Also many stores check to see if what you're matching is in stock at the other store.
Best Buy & Circuit City doesn't even price match their own items if you bought them 30 days before; still within the return window though, so I guess you could return and re-buy.
I called CC's corporate number and they said it was "policy" not to PM on BF. What a crock! Maybe that's why CC is tanking.
"I also learned that your best deals may be at newly opened stores that haven't gone through a black friday yet. "
Caution on this however, if your standing in line you may get shafted as the store usually is not that organized as far as protecting those who have stood in line.
Generally speaking Best Buy is getting BF down to a science, whether that be a good or bad thing.
Hate to give away secrets but it is HUGELY advantagous to have a person stand in line while another grabs the deals. This allows you to get in and out quickly, to move onto other stores that open later.
Steel toed workboots are a must. I usually show up 2 minutes before door opens and cut in line.
Only had to kick someone once. Works like a charm. There is so much chaos when door opens
they cant do anything about it. Thats my BF tip.
mattressman
Member
posted: Oct. 27, 2008 @ 1:20p
Wait a minute....Cant we just get the leaked BF ads week before Thanksgiving, buy all these items, and go back laster in the day on Black Friday Night and get a Price Match? And never wait in line!!! Duh, this is easy!
popupp
New Member
posted: Oct. 27, 2008 @ 5:32p
Hire a homeless person to stand in line overnight for you.
mattressman said: Wait a minute....Cant we just get the leaked BF ads week before Thanksgiving, buy all these items, and go back laster in the day on Black Friday Night and get a Price Match? And never wait in line!!! Duh, this is easy!See my post above.
YankeeRedneck said: Steel toed workboots are a must. I usually show up 2 minutes before door opens and cut in line.
Only had to kick someone once. Works like a charm. There is so much chaos when door opens
they cant do anything about it. Thats my BF tip.
You missed all the tickets. You obviously have no serious BF'er experience. Move along, you give the holiday a bad name.
Cedar1079
Member
posted: Oct. 28, 2008 @ 2:45p
Don't forget to check the websites for the same deals you see in the BF ads.
Last year Best Buy had the exact same deals online (starting on wednesday or thursday), most of them with either cheap shipping or free shipping. I waited too long to pull the trigger once I saw the price online and ended up waiting it out in the cold instead.
phoenix82
New Member
posted: Oct. 29, 2008 @ 8:39p
Yes, I too waited in the cold the last two years at Best Buy. I'm hoping this year the "secret" deals are even posted online ahead of time. I'm waiting for my Black Friday Advantage deals guide to come which I'm hoping will have some inside tips as well for deals. I'm attacking all angles this year!
phoenix82 said: Yes, I too waited in the cold the last two years at Best Buy. I'm hoping this year the "secret" deals are even posted online ahead of time. I'm waiting for my Black Friday Advantage deals guide to come which I'm hoping will have some inside tips as well for deals. I'm attacking all angles this year!
Specifically, what is the BF Advantage deals guide? Thanks.
pulokk23
Member
posted: Oct. 31, 2008 @ 12:37p
The website for j*ck*sses to post their not-clever comments is elsewhere.
phoenix82
New Member
posted: Oct. 31, 2008 @ 2:42p
Well, I don't want to get flagged for spam, but I'll tell you how I came across it. Google "Black Friday Advantage" and you should find it. Last year, it was available for donations, and it came in handy. Looks like they are getting more involved in it, so they are starting to sell. I paid $10 and got it on pre-order. Last year, it was emailed to me as stated and I was able to view it on my Moto Q as a pdf, and I printed it out for my parents. Came in handy that day and hit all the deals on the mark. Even "debunked" some myths and had some secret ads that the online forums didn't catch.
arackhammerfist
Member
posted: Oct. 31, 2008 @ 5:48p
Blackfriday Advantage is the biggest rip off site on the planet. Who in their right mind would pay for their crappy summary, when you can get this stuff online for free.
be aware that many of the smaller stores will have much shorter lines and more stock on items so plan the really big stores first.
Last year, I hit the big stores up first and then at around 8am made my way to the smaller stores like cvs, Staples, om, FYE and pepboys and still got all their doorbusters.
sacredmoonfire
Happy Member
posted: Nov. 2, 2008 @ 2:48p
No, this is not allowed. Besides, most of the items on BF are limited and the shrink wrap is only removed right when the clock flips to the start time of the sale. There are associates standing by to remove it. Also, many stores do not receive their hottest items in until the day before and have to remain in a locked trailer until early BF morning. It is a great idea, just not feasible.
EAP05
Member
posted: Nov. 2, 2008 @ 7:01p
I know for a fact cause I did it last year at Toys R Us and Target that if you buy it on Wednesday and take your receipt in on Black Friday they will give you the Black Friday price.
Victo66
Member
posted: Nov. 3, 2008 @ 9:19a
phoenix82 said: Yes, I too waited in the cold the last two years at Best Buy. I'm hoping this year the "secret" deals are even posted online ahead of time. I'm waiting for my Black Friday Advantage deals guide to come which I'm hoping will have some inside tips as well for deals. I'm attacking all angles this year!
I've had so many years of waiting outside in the cold at Best Buy, with the allure of a cheap laptop or whatever. I get good deals, but never on the "big thing" that I wanted.
Oh, and what's with Best Buy moving the time earlier and earlier? At one point it was 6 AM, then 5 AM. Last year they started handing out the doorbuster tickets at 4 AM, meaning you had to be there way earlier just to get in line for one. I'd seriously like the time to be moved back an hour or so.
Think they'll make it earlier this year <shudder> ?
vegastaco
Senior Member - 2K
posted: Nov. 3, 2008 @ 8:42p
popupp said: Hire a homeless person to stand in line overnight for you.
i have a line sitter lined up he will hold my place for up to 16 hours for 50 bucks!!
My best tip is that before you look at any ads, make a list of what you need. then try to find those items in the ads. otherwise you will end up regreting some purchases while trying to break even on eBay. Anybody need a copy of windows vista upgrade?
KodakPic
New Member
posted: Nov. 5, 2008 @ 3:26p
The most important thing is understanding the "location" of the store it may be pointless (many times the case) to stand in line on Thanksgiving Day and the next person doesn't come until 2:00 or 3:00 Friday morning. Our Best Buy is right next to UF and the students start lining up on Tuesdays. We have 2 Walmarts one centered in the middle of the city and one just outside of town the one on the edge ususally always has big ticket items well after 9:00 am while the other one sells out within the first 100 people. I have been doing this since I was 14 and now I'm 23, and have it down to a science. Last year at Target I had my best BF experience, they had carts lined up and security to block the late comers from the people that were already in line and they had workers come through and give you a map of where everything was you were looking for. The two BEST parts were there was no pushing and shoving and to see the looks on the faces of the people that came late was PRICELESS no skipping that year.
onceaday
Member
posted: Nov. 6, 2008 @ 6:48p
Most important is to check for online deals and avoid those B&M stores for sure
arackhammerfist
Member
posted: Nov. 6, 2008 @ 7:51p
Only buy what you need or what would make a good gift item. 20-30% really doesn't cut it anymore, you can probably do better online.
aregon23
Member
posted: Nov. 6, 2008 @ 9:31p
Cedar1079 said: Don't forget to check the websites for the same deals you see in the BF ads.
Echo that. Almost everything but the early bird specials are available online. So make sure things you are looking to buy are absolutely impossible to get online before pulling the all nighter. I do subscribe to the homeless person theory though, especially since they are way used to staying out all night in the cold.
popupp said: Hire a homeless person to stand in line overnight for you.
How much would he or she charge? J/k.
Here's my tip: Don't buy anything on BF unless you desperately need something. I think I'll wait until Christmas, or when a store thats about to close has a "clearance everything XX% off" sale.
In my experience, the vast majority of people at Best Buy on BF come out with under $50 in savings to show for hours of waiting. It's only a handfull of people, showing up early onThanksgiving afternoon, that manage to snag the real loss leader deals, and most of them make close to minimum wage, factoring in waiting time. Additionally, the vast majority of BF prices can be found at some point later in the year for savy Fatwalleters. Take the NUVI 200 for example. People lined up all night at BB last year to snag it for $169. It can now be had for $130 or so as per recent Fatwallet deals. So don't get caught up in the hype before you do the math, and think long and hard about the payoff vs. the effort! I personally stopped bothering with BB for the past few years. I hit the smaller stores and the online sales and I consistently end up with a great Black Friday haul, and remarkably little frustration.
SaintBarthelemy
Shopaholic Member
posted: Nov. 9, 2008 @ 10:37p
tse200 said: go number 2 before you head out. Wear Depends and go number 1 on-line
ilovemydvd21
Member
posted: Nov. 10, 2008 @ 8:17a
For Best Buy, call now and speak to someone at their "business desk" and make an appointment for a personal shopping assistant for 3pm on BF. Let them know what you want and they will lock it up ahead of time for you. Then, after you casually wake up, have some coffee, maybe a Turkey sandwich for lunch, you stroll down to Best Buy, meet your shopper, then go right to the business desk where they bring you your stuff, check out right away there, and leave, all in about 10 minutes time tops.
The one time I did this, I did not have a big ticket item like a TV, but I had them hold a big Casio keyboard, external HD, some DVD movies, a stack of blank DVD-R discs, some Gameboy games, and the like.
Hooraah
Member
posted: Nov. 10, 2008 @ 12:11p
tse200 said: go number 2 before you head out.
On more than one occasion, my black friday shopping was cut short due to this problem. Not only are you out all morning, but think about how much you ate the night before!
"As we enter Black Friday Week, we wanted to send you an email alert to give you a timeline of what you can expect on the site. First, retailers appear to be starting their Black Friday sales earlier than ever this year. They are even putting some of their Black Friday items online for you to purchase right now at the Black Friday sale prices. We can tell in real-time which items are available to purchase online and will be updating the following URL with all of the Black Friday deals:
Then, starting late Wednesday night and into Thanksgiving morning, some of the biggest retailers like Toys R Us, Circuit City, and Best Buy, will be starting their full Black Friday sale. At this point, almost all of their Black Friday deals will go live and be available for purchase online. We expect the sales to start around 1:00am Eastern time on Thanksgiving morning. For the stores that don't put their ad items online Thursday morning (Thanksgiving), they will pretty much all put their items online late Thursday afternoon or early Black Friday morning. We have been told by Wal-Mart to expect their Black Friday items to be available to purchase online at 1:00am Eastern time on Black Friday.
If you go to the stores on Black Friday and find that an item you were looking for is sold out, there might still be a chance to get it. Throughout Black Friday and right through the weekend, many Black Friday items that are sold out in the stores will still be available to purchase online. Just like last year, we will have a real-time tracking system so you can easily see what Black Friday products are available to purchase online. Then, starting on Cyber Monday, we'll be posting a ton of deals from online merchants like Overstock.com, BestBuy.com, and WalMart.com.
This week we expect to receive new information about additional doorbuster items that Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Toys R Us, Staples, and Circuit City will be offering on Black Friday. We will also continue to update our Black Friday online page so you can see all of the Black Friday deals that you can buy online right now without having to wait until Thanksgiving or Black Friday.
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