I Survived Black Friday
…and You Can, Too!
Another year has gone by and another Black Friday has passed. This year, I swam against the current, dove headfirst into crowds of people…and survived to tell the tale. I also knocked a few people of my list of gifts this year.
Can you survive Black Friday? Of course you can! With some handy tips from experienced shoppers, you may be a likely candidate to live to tell the tale of your shopping finds.
Here are a few tips on surviving the insanity of Black Friday:
1. Always bring a companion. It can be one to several people; however, make sure you have at least one person solely for you. They will act as your place in your absence.
2. Research the sales before you go. It is important to find the things you want and where to get them.
3. Plan, plan, plan. Before heading into the fires of hell, it is best to have a gameplan. Know where you’re going and when you need to be there. The last thing you want to do is stand in line for hours for something that is no longer there. Plan to hit the stores with the most items for sale that you are intending on buying. Be there as early as possible to get the best possible spot.
4. Bring cash or credit. Absolutely NO CHECKS, unless you want to wait in line for an hour to find your check cannot be used. If this doesn’t happen to you, watch the people who do and find their checks being refused. This will pass the time. Be sure to notify your credit card company if you plan on making a lot of big purchases. Some credit card companies will put a hold on your card if they notice odd activity. This can be disastrous if this happens. If you intend on using cash, be certain your cash/wallet is close to your body and not in a removable "holder." No back pockets, jackets, or purses. These items can be either stolen, or things can drop out of them (yes, back pockets can be stolen…it’s horrible).
5. Dress accordingly. It will most likely be cold out, so dress to stay warm; however, keep in mind you will become increasingly warm inside the stores, especially waiting in line. It can be very hot.
6. Best to carpool, but if you are the driver, ALWAYS park in non-traffic locations. Do not park in a spot that requires you to pull out into running traffic. Black Friday Shoppers want to get out as quickly as possible and will not want to stop to let someone out. When looking for a spot, start near the entrance of the store and work your way back. If you find a spot close and within the guidelines mentioned above, take it. Otherwise, don’t look for spots in the middle. Go as far away as possible and park in an easy-to-exit section.
7. Remember where you parked!
8. Lines: always start at the beginning of the store to find where lines go. The last thing you want is to get in a line that stretches around the store only to find it is for one register. Most stores will have lines accommodating several registers. Find the end of these lines and then look for the beginning: these are the lines you want.
9. More on the companion: your companion is your receiver. Best tip of all: if there are long lines, send your companion to the line. While they wait in line, go find the things you need. Keep coming back to your companion with the stuff for him/her to hold. By the time you’re finished, your companion’s position in line will have decreased significantly. Time saved.
10. Never under any circumstances should you go out to casually shop. There is no reason for you to be up at 3 or 4AM to window shop.
11. Also, never under any circumstance should you purchase ONE item in a crowded store. It is obvious you don’t want to wait in line for this one item, so spare the others waiting in line: we don’t want to hear your ignorance. Make this trip worth your while.
12. Everyday items should never be purchased at retail outlets or stores that carry other items. Go to the grocery store for these. It will be less crowded. Also, doughnuts will be in plentiful supply.
13. Only buy items that are on sale for Black Friday. Worry about the other items later. If you want to get them, that’s fine; but if that’s the only reason you’re in that store, forget it. Drop everything you have and leave.
14. If a retail store has a "10 items or less" line, make sure you follow this rule and only have up to ten items in hand. Your companion will come in handy, especially if you’re paying in cash. Just make sure you have everything you need before you get in line. Sometimes these lines go really fast, and it would be terrible to let people go ahead of you waiting for your companion to return.
15. Always keep the receipt the clerk hands you out so that it is visible when you leave the store. It will be handy if your purchased items set off any security devices.
16. When leaving, always obey traffic laws, use turn signals and drive defensively. However, sometimes you have to put yourself out there if there is no other way you’re going to get out. Keep a sharp eye out for generous Black Friday shoppers, who will often let you go in front of them. They are kind people, much like yourself. Give them recognition.
So there you have it! The best tips on holiday shopping on Black Friday. Key things to remember: plan, bring a friend or two to help, bring cash or credit, and play it smart (don’t be a jerk).