By Michelle Ingrassia & Laura Vogel
This year there are sure to be epic-day-after Thanksgiving sales, but stores also have a lot less inventory which means your kid's dream game console or new laptop may be gone in a flash. But don't worry, there are ways to maximize your shopping time-and minimize Black Friday pain. Click through for shopping tips and tricks.
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What To Expect
Last year over 172 million people went bargain hunting on Black Friday weekend, according to the National Retail Federation. While sales are expected to be flat or a bit down this year, with this tight economy everyone is going to be looking for deals. Several categories that are sure to sell fast are:
•Toys: Jim Silver, editor-in-chief of TimeToPlayMag.com notes that, "the toy industry is recession-resistant-because parents will always want to have presents to put under the tree."
•Cosmetics: Russell A. Joyner, executive vice-president and general manager of the Miracle Mile shops in Las Vegas, explains, "You can have a value-indulgence splurge by buying a Chanel lipstick instead of a Chanel bag."
•Lower-priced Electronics: The under $75 range particularly is going to be and see strong sales, believes retail strategist Jeff Green of Jeff Green Partners in Denver.
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Start With A Shopping List and a Budget
Remember, a great price can still be a bad deal if you don't need the item (for yourself or as a gift) or if it costs more than you should pay. That's why Lauren Bright, who writes a shopping blog for NJ.com, recommends that you go into Black Friday planning to be a smart shopper. Create a shopping list of exactly what you need to buy and calculate a budget of exactly what you want to spend-and stick with it.
Daniel Hulshizer, AP
Check Prices and Search for Online Coupons
Hit the web before you hit the stores, says Bright, so you can decide, for example, exactly what kind of camera you want, and what the street prices tend to range. Do this for all of the items on your list and then write the range next to the item so you'll remember. That way if you see the perfect mp3 player or pair of boots in the store, you'll know if the price is amazing or just okay. Also look for online and newspaper coupons-from either the manufacturer or the retailer- to bring with you. Get as many different types as you can because the store may let you batch them together for even greater deals.
Be sure to check out your favorite store's Facebook page and consider becoming a Facebook fan of the retailer. Toy pro Silver notes that Toys R Us posts coupons on Facebook that you aren't going to find anywhere else.
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Look for Early Sales
Joyner of the Miracle Mile shops advises that, "Some retailers are starting their sales even earlier this year." So it's important to be on the lookout for pre-Black Friday offers.
Also keep a close eye for any changes in store hours, especially for Black Friday, recommends Silver. "There is a rumor that they might open up the stores even earlier this year, at 2 or 3 a.m.," he exclaims. Often those sales details are first announced the week of Thanksgiving in the store circulars.
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Do Store Reconnaissance
A day or two before, see where the goodies are. Will GPS's be stacked behind the customer service desk? Will you have to run an obstacle course to get to the $399 42-inch flat-screens? Make sure you know. And though we shouldn't be telling you this, there are some sneaky tricks to consider. "If you're planning to buy a piece of women's apparel, hide it in the automotive section," says Sam Pocker, a Queens, NY, consumer advocate and deal-buster pro. "If a guy finds it there, he's just going to say, 'What is this thing?' and walk away."
Understand Retail Thinking
Traditionally, doorbusters are in-demand items (such as video game systems or TVs) that are offered in limited quantity at such ridiculously low prices the customers will practically bust down the doors to get to them. But the term has expanded to mean huge sales where large retailers (such as Wal-Mart and Macy's) open their stores early to nab bargain-hunters. The retailers are banking on the fact that these shoppers will buy enough in their deal-hungry frenzy to yield a profit on products they are selling at a loss.
Retail strategist Green explains that, "Doorbusters are not something that retailers want to do, but they have to, in order to stay competitive." However, Green warns, "businesses are getting leaner, with much less inventory on-hand." What this means to shoppers is that 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.
Know The Hot Toys
According to toy guru Silver, the must-have toy this year is relatively inexpensive. "Right now," he says, "the very hottest toys are Zhuzhu Pets. They are little mechanical hamsters, they all sell at $8 and you can purchase lots of cool accessories, like habitrails, for them. Toys R Us has by far the largest stock in the industry." Silver also predicts other 2009 toy hits will include "Bakugan-boys' action figures.
The LEGO-Star Wars products are also going to sell well. "They did a great job and they tied together two very hot brands that kids love," he adds. Silver, like Green is also concerned about items selling out. He cautions parents to shop early for their kids. "A lot of the top toys will not be left by Christmas, because stock is so lean this year," he says. Have your kids make a list, and have them make it much longer than what they're going to get. Buy a couple of must-have items early, and try for the others, but let your child know that they are not going to get everything on their list. It's going to be the reality, because things will sell out early."
Michael Probst, AP
Keep Your Wits About You
It's not called Black Friday for nothing. The day is notorious for crazy behavior (sometimes leading to tragedy) when shopping mania strikes the crowds, so make sure you don't get too caught up in the frenzy. The name came about in the mid-1960s when a Philadelphia newspaper took issue with the problems caused by the day-after-Thanksgiving sales in the city's downtown-including heavy traffic and crowds-and called it "Black Friday."
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Bring Supplies
Nothing is worse than arriving at the store ready to shop and finding that all the carts and baskets are gone. Power-shopper Toni Jacovini, of Margate, New Jersey recommends bringing a big, clear laundry bag with you so that you have something to carry your loot.
Also be sure to bring water and snacks, adds Jacovini, its critical to keep your energy going for the big game hunting. This realtor knows her way about Black Friday sales-her gift list includes "39 people and one dog."
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