Josh Elledge - Chief Executive Angel
Without a game plan, the frenzy and adrenaline of Black Friday can result in fuzzy logic and buying things that are not even a good deal. Be a Black Friday winner with strategy and these Black Friday shopping tips:
#1 – Study your opponent. Don’t wait for the newspaper ads to be printed. Check SavingsAngel.com and blackfriday.bradsdeals.com to see them now.
Analyze every item. Anything less than 40% off might not be any better of a deal than it already is online or at pre-Black Friday sales. A handy calculator, paired with looking up the regular retail online, will reveal the truth. Beware sales based on the “manufacturer’s suggested retail price”. Huge differences in “was” and “now” price points can give the illusion of an unbelievable steal – until you realize the retail price was inflated in the first place.
Know ahead what is actually a good deal, and what isn’t – so you don’t get sucked in by the psychology of store displays, other shoppers grabbing armloads of items, and the fear that you’re “missing out”.
#2 – Write your playbook. Use the leaked online store ads and the power of the internet to compare prices, quality, limits, and terms store-to-store. You may find a deal just as good online right now.
Remember, apples to apples doesn’t always apply to Black Friday merchandise. Retailers acknowledge that goods offered can be of lower quality. Notate any return policy specifications, and consider skipping items you can’t return later if you find a better deal.
Be aware of any items stated as having a “minimum”. (Such as a “minimum of 12”.) Those notations don’t usually mean the store will get more, but the opposite. The store will probably only receive that many. Now choose which items to make a play for.
#3 – Pick your roster and plan your matchups. Decide who is playing – and who is sitting out. Younger teammates might not be the best choice if you plan to hit numerous stores.
Plan your matchup route (that is, what order you’ll hit the stores). Use sale start times, your personal order of “most desired” items, and anticipated crowd levels to determine your lineup.
#4 – Game Day. Gear up right to avoid wasting time and money on hunger, thirst, and fatigue. Comfortable shoes, lightweight shopping bags (since store-provided carts and bags will be scarce), snacks, water, and coffee.
#5 – Get your game face on! Stores are masters at capitalizing on the impulse, adrenaline, and long lines of Black Friday. Be ready. Ignore the displays that look like steals, trying to play on impulse. And be mentally ready for extremely long checkout lines. Don’t allow these to rattle your game. Stay focused and execute.
#6 – Set your team in motion. Make sure everyone knows their position. Get one person holding a place in line immediately upon entering each store. Send all others with specific assignments to grab ONLY the pre-planned items, and meet back at the person holding the place in line as fast as possible.
#7 – Call an audible. It’s inevitable that you’ll run into at least one item out of stock. Block the store’s play to convince you to purchase a similar item at a different price point. Look online instead. Have someone at home you can call, or use your mobile device while waiting in line. Check both the store’s online site, and their competitors’ sites.
