Ok… so over the years I have had MANY Black Friday strategies.  This year I am planning a new strategy.  I also know that even the best laid plan may need tweaking!  I cannot tell you how many times I have shown up at a location only to decide that I was not willing to stand in line and abandoned ship for another plan!  LOL

So here is my “Black Friday 2009 Survival Guide”:

1) Know your rules : What time does each store open?  What is their location?  How MANY of the items you want are “in stock” or “guaranteed”?

2) Make a List : Sit down with your ads and make a list of the items you want and organize them by store.  TAKE THE PAPERS with you!  Sometimes you will have to ask store associates where an item is and its much easier to SHOW them the ad than to have to “ask” about “something in the ad”.  A lot of the BF help is NEW.

3) Map out a plan : Check times and “deals” and make a plan of attack.  It is often good to find yourself in the center hub of shopping which has MOST of your bargains in one place.  Yes there may be more parking issues but there is less travel time!

4) Scope out your stores : we often go the day BEFORE thanksgiving to get a lay of the land, take inventory etc.  Although some of the door busters may not yet be “on the floor” you will often be able to see HOW things are organized.  If you see that there is only ONE Wii system then its a safe assumption that you may want to find an alternative location to try and get a deal!

5) Prioritize:  Will you be wanting a HOT item such as a cheap TV or game system?  Is that item higher on your list than say the $3 fleece blanket?  Make your list according to opening time of the store and priority of the item you want.  This year there is ONE big purchase on our list so no matter WHAT TIME that store opens… we will be at IT regardless of other store’s opening times.

6) Dress to shop: Wear comfortable easy clothing, IN LAYERS!  As the sun comes up the temperature will change and you don’t want to be caught in a store that is 100 degrees with polar fleece from head to toe!  For me my standard uniform is:  yoga pants, t-shirt with a sweatshirt or fleece jacket over top, fleece headband, gloves, coat (for standing in line), pony tail and most of all:  TENNIS SHOES!  Yes those cute little clogs are easy to slip on but they are not good for running 2 miles to your car or supporting your feet for the long shopping day ahead!

7) Be safe : I do NOT take my kids with me.  I am too focused (or distracted however you look at it!) to try and keep my eye on them!  There are too many people and too much commotion.  You should ALSO consider keep your wallet either in your back pocket (for the guys) or in a messenger bag instead of a PURSE (for the ladies).  It is REALLY easy to loose track of your purse in a buggy or crowd.

Consider shopping with a GIFT card or single use debit card:  I try to NOT carry cash (in case its stolen) and NOT my debit card either (for the same reason).  I shop with a debit card that only has XX amount of dollars on it so even if someone gets my card they will only be able to empty a certain amount of money!

9)   Take a BLANKET to put over your purchases in the back of your car.  It may work double duty when you are freezing your butt off in the line!!  LOL  OR if you have a trunk that is not visible, consider also locking the “trunk only” lock that most cars include for valet. (our Honda Accord had a separate lock for the trunk beside the driver seat).  Sad but true, there are MANY thefts that are “crimes of opportunity” from someone having seen an item in the back window of your car.

10) Be AWARE : BF is a thief’s playground.  Watch your carts, purses, cars, etc.  Also be careful walking to and from stores in the pitch black!

11) Take a friend : Seriously, having a shopping partner is critical!  You can split up to get double the deals.  They can watch your back and you theirs.  Troy and I will be shopping one set of stores and my parents another.  We each have OUR lists and THEIR lists.  We will make sure to call each other to check in and check off our lists what the other has been able to acquire!

12) If you are unable to get a shopping cart : GO FOR A LAUNDRY basket.  You don’t have to buy it but at least it is a means to put your stuff in it and drag it around!  Lots of times shopping carts get in the way!  For the stores in which I will only be going for small items like DVD’s, books, games, I will be taking a re-usable boat and tote bag so I don’t even have to STOP at the cart!

13) Check online : So say you want the BIG TV that Target only guarantees to have FIVE in stock… check online!  Many time there will be 50 times the stock online and shipping may cheap or even free!  You may be able to totally avoid the lines by shopping online during the Doorbuster hours!

14) Pack a thermos of coffee or hot chocolate and a snack.  Not only will you waste precious time standing in line at Starbucks but once your mid morning slump hits and you have been awake for 5 hours already – you will not think of the repercussions of your 4th cup of $7 coffee but your BANK account will!!  We usually pack a smaller cooler – 6 or so cans of soda, and a few little snacks.  During a shopping bag drop its easy to chug a coke and granola bar and be on your way to another store!  Time IS money on BF!!!

15) Can’t find something you direly WANT? : Look around the checkouts or down the aisles.  Lots of people do the “grab and run” philosophy and will make their final decisions while waiting in line.  LOTS of items get discarded at the checkouts!

16) Check out ANYWHERE you can : Walmart has checkouts in odd places that will often allow you to check out THERE without waiting in the main lines.  Electronics, seasonal, jewelry and even HUNTING!  (yes I have checked out with TOYS in hunting before!).  Don’t be afraid to ask… all they can say is NO…

17) Last but not least : ENJOY BF in the SPIRIT of Christmas. You will attract more flies with honey!  Make sure to tell your cashiers how much you appreciate their hard work and be KIND to those around you.  I anticipate that this year’s Black Friday will be the largest in a few years due to the economy.  Everyone is stressed to the max and desperate to save money and make the holiday special.  Be understanding with those around you and if for some reason someone gets snippy… just SMILE and say “Happy Holidays” and move on.  You never know what their life circumstances are that lead them to be snippy.

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