Black Friday – the one day of the year that sales are fantastic and it feels like everyone knows that. The crowds are huge and the lines are long. Are you a practiced Black Friday shopper? Will this year be your first time shopping on the one day of the year that has the reputation for being, lack of a better word, absolutely nuts?
Here are some tips and tricks on how to make your time shopping on Black Friday more enjoyable.
1. Check Store/Mall Hours – some stores and malls that typically open at 9 or 10 on Fridays will open earlier. Check the hours online the night or day before and make a game plan. If some places open earlier, keep that in mind, the stores might be more crowded later if they do not know that they are open earlier. If you want to make it to a store right when it opens expect it to be very crowded and expect the people there to be frantic.
2. Follow Your Gut – if you are not someone who likes crowds, try and get to the stores later. Don’t worry about them running out of merchandise right away, stores prepare for this day for a long time and they will make sure they have enough to sell. If you are someone who likes the crowds and gets a thrill of shopping when stores just open, make sure you go in with a game plan and a group of people. Shopping is supposed to be fun, even on Black Friday, so make sure you make it fun!
3. Dress Comfortably – make sure you wear clothes that are easy to change in and out of and shoes that you can do a lot of walking in. The dressing rooms in stores will be busy so if you have clothes that give an easy in and out these are the ones to wear. Wearing comfortable shoes are key! You are going to be going all over big department stores or malls, so keep that in mind when picking out clothes to wear to go shopping. This is one day you shouldn’t worry about how you look.
4. Be Patient – this will be the biggest key for anyone who wants to go out on Black Friday. The lines will be long and the crowds in the stores might be unbearable. There will most likely be times that you want to push and shove to get that one sweater, appliance, or accessory you love on the shelf. Don’t give anyone a reason to get violent or give security to ask you to leave the store before you are done shoppng. Be patient and trust the sales associates to help you find exactly what you are looking for. Don’t get snippy with the people working the registers, they are working their hardest to make your day enjoyable.
5. Shop Online – this is a little known fact or an ignored one: stores that have Black Friday deals will probably have them on their websites also. This is a great alternative to going into the store on the busiest shopping day of the year. You can still get the same amazing deals for the same merchandise but be able to do this in the comfort of your pajamas when you are still recovering after a hearty Thanksgiving feast. For people who really hate crowds but love going shopping online this is a great idea.
5. Have Fun – make this a fun day for you and whomever you decide to go shopping with. Find some great deals and enjoy the experience of the crowds and being able to say: “I went shopping on Black Friday”. No one needs to know if it was at 11 AM instead of 5 AM.