Black Friday Tips

Spring & summer have gone, and now the leaves are changing colors and have fallen to the ground. Halloween has passed, all the candy is gone. What is next on this journey to winter? BLACK FRIDAY!!! Okay, it's really Thanksgiving, but if you're a shopper, Thanksgiving is the dinner event before the big day. Now, I know Black Friday is the day when all consumers get to go crazy & kill each other for a bargain.... And it's legal, too!! `=D However, there are ways to be safe and still be able to get what you're looking for. As a retail store employee, I've worked many Black Friday's, and frankly, I think that if customers knew what we went through, we'd get some more respect on a day like Black Friday. Just a few tips, from me to you..

1.) Patience is ALWAYS a Virtue

As a retail employee, I can tell you from experience that rushing a sales associate (or anyone else helping you find something) is never a good idea. Why? It will only create confusion, aggravation & frustration with all party's involved. Yes, everyone in the store is there to assist you in every way possible, but that doesn't mean you are the sales associate's main focus. Sales people are already bombarded with random questions, and customers who do need their assistance. But on BF, rules change. It's a "first come, first serve," type of mentality. Sales people are most likely helping at least 2 other people out. As a customer, the best you can do is BE PATIENT. Give the SA time to help out the people before you approached them, and remind them every minute or so that they remember they're also helping you.

2.) If At First You Don't Succeed..We Don't Do Returns!

Okay, no store that I know does not--not take returns. In fact, most stores make their bread & butter from "welcoming" back certain customers...and their returns. Ironically, a customer making a return can be considered a form of "loyalty." If they're coming back to return something, it's a chance for a store to persuade a customer to buy something else in place of the item they're returning. Consumer-wise, you're full within your right to return something you're not happy with. Also, remember to always read the return policy! I can't stress that last fact enough. I've seen customers throw a fit because they can't return something because they've gone past the return time limit. Let me tell you, read the receipt and/or sign(s) near or at the register regarding ANY return policy. PLEASE. It will save both you & the sales associate some time & grief, and Black Friday is supposed to be stress free, or as stress free as possible.

3.) Location, Location, Location!

This is another important fact. If you're going to hit up the major stores on Black Friday, anything from Wal-Mart to Saks, consider your location. It's always best to get to the nearest location to save you some time & hassle. Plus, it'll be easier to lug all your loot to your car and/or to your house if you live nearby. Less gas cost! Also, take into account how busy one branch will be from the other. If you're going to go flagship, consider your options & chances of either being helped or finding the item you want & getting as quick as possible. Most of the time, that will not happen at a bigger store. If possible, see if the store has another branch, which will probably be smaller, and make sure they carry the brand/item you're searching for. Remember, just because there's more than one store in the area, doesn't always mean they'll carry the same things. Each branch is tailored to fit the area they're situated in, so take that into account when considering where & what you're going to try & snag on Black Friday.

4.) Shop Before You Drop!

What I mean by this is to pre-shop before you decide to head to the store. Shop the website first so you can decide what you want & to avoid #2. LOL. Although, be mindful that some (if not all) websites will have their own Black Friday specials & deals not applicable to the store itself. Thanks to technology and the popularity of online shopping, stores with websites now take into account the amount of sales they do both online & in-store. Most people nowadays want to avoid crowds all together and shop online for their deals & steals. If you decide to go online shopping for Black Friday, make sure the laptop's charged up and the cards free of debt!!

5.) Last But Not Least---Safety First!!

If you all remember last Black Friday, a Wal-Mart employee was trampled to death by the crazy crowd waiting at the door. This year, Wal-Mart is taking precautions to try and control the crowd so that everyone gets out in one piece & with their loot. While I know it's fun to stampede like the Pamplona running of the bulls on Black Friday, take note of your surroundings. No need to wrestle the person next to you for that toy for your kid. Your kid would probably rather see you alive on X'Mas, instead of being black & blue on Black Friday. As easy as it is to say, "Play nice!" in this sense, it's not. (I know that! I ain't no fool!) If you're part of the big crowd waiting at the door, don't push & shove your way through. The best way to get in quickly is to arrive early. Sleep over if you have to! Okay, maybe not. But, arriving early Friday morning is best. Awaiting a store opening on Black Friday is like trying to be the first one to get to Ticketmaster for Jo'Bro's tickets. It's the rush, it'll get to you.

And, that concludes this post. I'll leave you with this one last tip:

6.) Don't Eat Too Much Turkey!

Why?! You might oversleep & miss the store openings!!! YIKES!!

Just kidding. LOL.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!! Eat, Drink & Be Merry!! `=D