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Home > Blogs > Here's the Deal: Bargains in Hamilton and Middletown > Archives > 2009 > November > 25 > Entry
Gear up for Black Friday shopping
Fellow newspaper blogger Jill Kelley posted the following to help you get prepared for Black Friday. And frankly, I could not have said it better:
This Black Friday, which will be this Friday, Nov. 27, might be one for the record books. It not only is taking place near the end of a long year of price cuts, but it also is the unofficial kickoff to an already highly competitive holiday shopping season.
With all the price wars, extreme discounts and blockbuster sales we have seen in the last two months, it will be interesting to see just how low the stores go to get our business.
Top 10 tips to Black Friday success
Since Black Friday is a day unlike any other in our shopping year, here are some tips to help you get the most out of your efforts:
1. Plan ahead. Check out Web sites (listed below) that offer leaked information about the upcoming sales. It already has been reported on these sites that Walmart is supposed to have a 50-inch TV for $598, and a Vivitar digital camera for $59.99 at Kohl’s. Also, some stores and malls already have released their Black Friday circulars and they are included there as well.
2. Check the ads. Although many of these sites and news agencies have gone to great lengths to get the scoop on these deals, you won’t know for sure about some of them until you see the store’s ads.
On Thanksgiving, the Middletown Journal and Hamilton JournalNews will publish its biggest newspaper of the year, which contains an enormous volume of ads. There will be more ads in the paper Friday, as well.
1. Know what you are looking for. Between the sites and the ads, get a good idea of what you want and go after it. This is not a good day to meander if there is a specific deal you want.
2. Compare prices. Either using the ads or online with sites such as PriceGrabber.com, find out how good a deal you are getting.
3. Bring the ads with you. If you are shopping at a store that offers lowest price guarantees (like Walmart and Lowe’s), show them the ad and take advantage of the store’s offer.
4. Have a game plan. Map out the stores you want to hit and when depending on sales you don’t want to miss and when the discounts are being offered. Also, either pack a meal or figure out where you may want to eat. Wear comfortable shoes and don’t carry a heavy purse (or any purse, if you can help it.)
5. Shop early. Most stores offer their best discounts between 5 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Black Friday. Target is one of the few that is offering the same level of discounts all day.
6. Shop online. You can avoid the crowds and get most of the same deals by staying home and shop at the stores online. Many offer their Black Friday discounts starting after midnight. Check the specific store online for complete details.
7. Shop with your receipt. If you want to make sure you get an item at the Black Friday sales price, buy it early in the week and come back on Black Friday for a price adjustment. Most stores will refund you the difference within a certain time frame. Check with your chosen store before you do this, however, to verify the specific rules of that store.
8. Keep your identity safe. It might be chaotic out there, so take only what credit cards or checks you need. Clean out your wallet and don’t carry anything with your Social Security on it.
Web sites “leak” Black Friday ads
Retailers historically have kept their plans for Black Friday sales under wraps until Thanksgiving.
But, with this worldwide web of information at everyone’s fingertips, it is much easier to find out information about everything — including embargoed advertisements.
Now, some of that information (like much on the Internet) is speculatory, but there is plenty of legitimate information as well.
Here are some of the better Web sites devoted to Black Friday. They all have multiple listings, but I have noted some of the reported deals you can find on those sites.
www.GottaDeal.com: Was quoted by CNN when the site noted Target would have $3 toasters and coffeemakers, deep deals on high-definition televisions, and discounts of 50 percent on clothes and toys.
www.BlackFriday.info: Notes 14-foot trampoline with safety enclosure for $170 (usually $298) at Walmart will be on sale.
www.iBlackFriday.com: Lists Dynex 7-inch digital photo frame at Best Buy for $29.99 (regularly $89.99) on Friday.
www.Black-Friday.net: Has Macy’s ad offering all Holiday Lane and Martha Stewart Collection ornaments and decor for 50 percent off that day.
BFads.net: Notes deal at GameStop offering three free games in bundles with sale of Xbox 360 Elite and PS3 120GB holiday bundles on Black Friday. Those systems are each $299.99.
Deals this week
As noted earlier in this article, this season has been an excellent one for getting great deals and should continue to be before and after Black Friday.
This week, in fact, there are several discounts of note:
Best Buy has multiple DVDs on sale, including a great deal on many TV shows on DVD for $12.99 (regularly $34.99 to $39.99). In its four-day sale, Best Buy also has Garmin GPS systems marked down by $70 to $230.
Toys R Us has all Nintendo DS and PSP games on sale for buy one, get one half off. Stein Mart has up to 60 percent off through Wednesday.
Kohl’s is having some “Sunday-only” specials today, offering up to 50 percent and 60 percent off clothes and home items.
JCPenney has a “final days” sale today and Monday, with clothes for up 55 percent off and coats up to 60 percent off.
Sears has 50 percent off Disney clothes and toys.
Target has 50 percent off select games and toys, including a guitar that is regularly $149 marked down to $74.99.
Walgreens has Christmas lights, wrapping paper and cards for buy one, get one free this week.
Big Lots has 20-inch wreaths and poinsettias for $4.
Michaels has Christmas trees on sale for up to 50 percent off.
Kroger Marketplace has 50 percent off its mix and match dinnerware.
And starting Tuesday and lasting through Saturday, Macy’s is marking down items storewide 25 percent to 50 percent, with an extra 15 percent off with a “Wow!” pass that can be found either in this newspaper or online.
Magical Night of Giving reminder
The Magical Night of Giving will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today, Nov. 22, at The Mall at Fairfield Commons.
The event includes exclusive savings throughout the mall, family-oriented activities, holiday entertainment, and prize giveaways. The mall will be closed to other shoppers during that time.
Tickets cost $5, and will be available at the door.
- Black Friday hours
- Here is when stores will be open Friday
- Best Buy: 5 a.m.
- Big Lots: 6 a.m.
- Christmas Tree Shops: 6 a.m.
- Cincinnati Premium Outlets: Midnight
- Dayton Mall: 7 a.m.
- Dick’s Sporting Goods: 5 a.m.
- Elder-Beerman: 4 a.m.
- Elder-Beerman Furniture: 7 a.m.
- Fashion Bug: 7 a.m.
- GameStop: 6 a.m.
- HHgregg: 4 a.m.
- Home Depot: 6 a.m.
- JCPenney: 4 a.m.
- Kmart: 6 a.m.
- Kohl’s: 4 a.m.
- Lowe’s: 6 a.m.
- Macy’s: 5 a.m.
- Mall at Fairfield Commons: 7 a.m.
- Menard’s: 6 a.m.
- Michaels: 6 a.m.
- Office Depot: 6 a.m.
- Office Max: 7 a.m.
- Old Navy: 3 a.m.
- Prime Outlets in Jeffersonville: Midnight
- Radio Shack: 5:30 a.m.
- Sam’s Club: 5 a.m.
- Sears: 4 a.m.
- Staples: 6 a.m.
- Target: 5 a.m.
- Toys R Us: Midnight
- Walmart: Will be open overnight, but Black Friday deals start at 5 a.m.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Savings tips
Comments
By tyler
November 25, 2009 11:56 AM | Link to this
Another great site for black friday and cyber monday is GoPromoCodes.com. It offers coupons on top of the standard online deals.