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For many people, holiday shopping is just as much a part of Thanksgiving weekend as turkey and pumpkin pie. In fact, last year more than 140 million shoppers hit stores on Black Friday alone, according to the National Retail Federation. Besides being the first day of the Christmas shopping season, Black Friday marks the day when retailers realize profits -- going from being "in the red" to "in the black" - hence the name. In fact, last year shoppers spent $18.1 billion dollars the weekend after Thanksgiving.
Before you brave the crowds of frenzied shoppers, here are some tips to make the most of your bargain hunting experience:
1. Plan Ahead
Most sales fliers go out with the Thanksgiving newspaper, but information is largely available on the Internet weeks ahead of time. Plan your shopping strategy as early as possible. Sites like blackfridayads.com clue shoppers in to what will be on sale at major retailers like Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Toys R Us on Friday morning.
Go online to find printable coupons or discount codes on items like DVDs and electronics to use in conjunction with Black Friday sales. A quick check online to manufacturer, retailer Websites or coupon Websites Coupons.com before you go out can yield substantial additional savings on all types of products.
2. Have a Backup Plan
While most places offer limited quantities of door buster items, the sale merchandise that isn't quite so hot is readily available. If you're visiting a store for a door buster item, make sure there is something else on your list. Otherwise the odds of leaving empty-handed (and having wasted precious shopping time) increase dramatically.
3. Comparison Shop
You may want to browse the Internet and comparison shop before you set foot in the stores. What seems like a good deal might not be, and may not be worth standing in line for. Look up current pricing on major sites like Amazon.com, Toysrus.com and Bestbuy.com.
4. Prep Your Car
If you're going to be bringing home a new plasma screen TV, you'll want to make sure there's room for it in your vehicle. Make sure the trunk is cleaned out or back seats are removed from your van. Top off your tank to avoid wasting time at the gas station.
5. Dress Appropriately
For most people, this means boots, mittens, hats and a warm coat. Don't try to be too fashion conscious; just be comfortable. Be prepared to wait outside in some situations. Leave your purse at home and just bring a credit card or enough cash. It's one more thing to worry about potentially getting lost or stolen.
6. Arrive Early
If you snooze, you lose - especially on Black Friday. Most of the door buster promotions begin as early as 5 am and are available in limited quantities only. In some cases you'll need to arrive several hours before the doors actually open to get the best deals. Many stores have started to use a numbering system to be fair to shoppers who have camped out in line for the store to open. As they enter, they are handed a number to allow them to purchase in-demand items.
7. Shop with a Partner
Send one person to the checkout lanes while the other snatches up the bargains. Keep your cell phones charged so you can easily meet up later. Leave the kids at home. Crowded aisles and unscrupulous shoppers can be a dangerous combination for small children.
8. Take Advantage of Price Matching
Some stores will also honor the advertised prices of their competitors - even on Black Friday. Use this strategy to your advantage to avoid long lines. Make sure you take the competitor's flyer with you - otherwise you may be out of luck.
A similar strategy involves buying the item ahead of time, returning it on Black Friday and immediately re-buying it at the lower price. The ethics of this are questionable and most stores don't appreciate customers who do it. Some stores have even made Black Friday exempt from their regular price-matching policy.
9. Realize Additional Savings
If you're making a big-ticket purchase, consider signing up for a store credit card to save an additional 10-15% on the transaction.
10. Shop Online
Avoid the hassle and gas expense by shopping online. Some sites even start their Black Friday promotions at midnight - well before their brick and mortar stores open. The Monday following Thanksgiving, known as Cyber Monday, is one of the busiest days for online shopping as employees head back to work (and their computers) after the holiday weekend. Many sites offer special deals to Cyber Monday shoppers. Be sure to look for online coupon codes for additional savings.
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