How did you make out on the Blackest day of the year?
I've never been one to go out shopping the day after Thanksgiving. I think in all my years of living, I've only been out maybe three times. Not sure. My mama could probably correct me on that seeing as she was more present in my youth than I was. Not that I wasn't really there, but I'm kind of a spacey casey and don't remember those kinds of details.
This year, a friend of mine invited me to go along with her and I must say that I'm a little bit nervous about it. So today when I logged onto the Internet and my AOL homepage flashed up some tips on how to survive Black Friday, I clicked the link hoping to find stores of information. Get it? Stores? Nevermind.
I thought I would share with you what we, as the general public, have been instructed to do via the World Wide Web.
First off, with this tight economy, everyone will be looking for deals. (This was news to me. I thought everyone shopped on this of all days to meet new people.)
The toy and cosmetics industries are recession-resistant because parents will always want to have presents to put under the tree, and you can have a value-indulgence splurge by buying a Chanel lipstick instead of a Chanel bag.
Be sure to check out your store's Facebook page and become a fan. Toys R Us posts coupons on their Facebook that you can't find anywhere else.
There is a rumor that some stores might open up earlier this year, say around 2 or 3 am.
If you're planning on buying a piece of women's apparel, hide it in the automotive section. If a guy finds it, he's just going to go, "What is this thing?" and walk away.
A doorbuster sale is one in which retailers will offer something at such a low price that people will be busting down doors to get to it. They don't typically like doing these sorts of sales, but they are forced to in order to stay competitive. However, businesses are getting leaner, with much less inventory on hand. What this means to shoppers is if they put off purchases of in-demand items, they may get completely sold-out, making Black Friday an even more crucial shopping day this year.
A lot of the top toys will not be left by Christmas because stock is so lean this year. Have your kids make a list and have them make it much longer than what they are going to get, but let your child know that they are not going to get all the items on their list. It's going to be the reality, because things are going to sell out early. (Forget that people can't afford a huge Christmas. Make your kids believe they will get most of what's on their lists. Just not all. Because the real reality is that if your kids want it, they should have it. If you can't afford it, buy it anyway. That's what Christmas is truly about after all.)
Bring supplies. Nothing is worse than arriving at a store and finding all the shopping carts and baskets are gone. Bring a huge, clear laundry bag to carry your stuff in. Also, bring water and snacks. It's critical to keep your energy going for the big game hunting. (Michael can attest to this. Have you read about his Oregon and Colorado mule deer hunts yet?)
Don't feel guilty about buying for yourself. The dirty little secret about Black Friday is that only a small portion of the money spent is spent on gifts for other people. The is really a self-gifting festival. With some 7 million more people out of work this year than last year, and with credit so much tighter, it will be harder to shower ourselves with pre-holiday presents. I believe many of us will be more thoughtful, do our online homework regarding best prices and values and place more of a premium on durability and quality. Will we buy this year? Of course we'll buy. Good times or bad, where there's a will to shop, there's a way.
For lots of shoppers, standing in line at 2 am is the point. Part of it is getting the thrill of a bargain. Then you have the community aspect of being at an event. Everyone talks about what they're here for. They talk about last year. It's a shared experience, a shared excitement. (And then you go inside and rip eachother's throats out over the $9.99 hand held back massager.)
If you get beat to the punch and don't find your perfect gift, don't forget, there's always Cyber Monday!
And just in case you hadn't heard, I did not venture into the wide world of Black Friday. At least not at oh-too-early-a.m.
This year, a friend of mine invited me to go along with her and I must say that I'm a little bit nervous about it. So today when I logged onto the Internet and my AOL homepage flashed up some tips on how to survive Black Friday, I clicked the link hoping to find stores of information. Get it? Stores? Nevermind.
I thought I would share with you what we, as the general public, have been instructed to do via the World Wide Web.
First off, with this tight economy, everyone will be looking for deals. (This was news to me. I thought everyone shopped on this of all days to meet new people.)
The toy and cosmetics industries are recession-resistant because parents will always want to have presents to put under the tree, and you can have a value-indulgence splurge by buying a Chanel lipstick instead of a Chanel bag.
Be sure to check out your store's Facebook page and become a fan. Toys R Us posts coupons on their Facebook that you can't find anywhere else.
There is a rumor that some stores might open up earlier this year, say around 2 or 3 am.
If you're planning on buying a piece of women's apparel, hide it in the automotive section. If a guy finds it, he's just going to go, "What is this thing?" and walk away.
A doorbuster sale is one in which retailers will offer something at such a low price that people will be busting down doors to get to it. They don't typically like doing these sorts of sales, but they are forced to in order to stay competitive. However, businesses are getting leaner, with much less inventory on hand. What this means to shoppers is if they put off purchases of in-demand items, they may get completely sold-out, making Black Friday an even more crucial shopping day this year.
A lot of the top toys will not be left by Christmas because stock is so lean this year. Have your kids make a list and have them make it much longer than what they are going to get, but let your child know that they are not going to get all the items on their list. It's going to be the reality, because things are going to sell out early. (Forget that people can't afford a huge Christmas. Make your kids believe they will get most of what's on their lists. Just not all. Because the real reality is that if your kids want it, they should have it. If you can't afford it, buy it anyway. That's what Christmas is truly about after all.)
Bring supplies. Nothing is worse than arriving at a store and finding all the shopping carts and baskets are gone. Bring a huge, clear laundry bag to carry your stuff in. Also, bring water and snacks. It's critical to keep your energy going for the big game hunting. (Michael can attest to this. Have you read about his Oregon and Colorado mule deer hunts yet?)
Don't feel guilty about buying for yourself. The dirty little secret about Black Friday is that only a small portion of the money spent is spent on gifts for other people. The is really a self-gifting festival. With some 7 million more people out of work this year than last year, and with credit so much tighter, it will be harder to shower ourselves with pre-holiday presents. I believe many of us will be more thoughtful, do our online homework regarding best prices and values and place more of a premium on durability and quality. Will we buy this year? Of course we'll buy. Good times or bad, where there's a will to shop, there's a way.
For lots of shoppers, standing in line at 2 am is the point. Part of it is getting the thrill of a bargain. Then you have the community aspect of being at an event. Everyone talks about what they're here for. They talk about last year. It's a shared experience, a shared excitement. (And then you go inside and rip eachother's throats out over the $9.99 hand held back massager.)
If you get beat to the punch and don't find your perfect gift, don't forget, there's always Cyber Monday!
And just in case you hadn't heard, I did not venture into the wide world of Black Friday. At least not at oh-too-early-a.m.
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