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adderbolt - Jack posted an update Sunday, Nov 20, 2011, 2:50am EST, 13 years, 11 months ago
Black Friday Countdown
1. Prepare for more marketing
The number of consumers who plan to hit the stores and shopping malls on Nov. 25 may be down again this year. To lure more shoppers, retailers are rolling out new marketing strategies. Many consumers can expect text messages touting Black Friday deals. Macy's, has been announcing Black Friday deals on Facebook each week since Oct. 31, including 50% off Sharper Image items and 40% discounts on coffee makers and espresso machines. These sneak previews can be a plus for consumers. By knowing Black Friday prices in advance, shoppers can decide whether it's worth holding off until the big day.2. Thanksgiving or Shopping
This year, some retailers will roll out their Black Friday deals before the Thanksgiving dinner table is cleared. Toys "R" Us and Walmart deals will kick off at 9 p.m. and 10 p.m., respectively, on Thanksgiving night in most locations. Macy's, Target, Best Buy and Old Navy say they're opening most stores at midnight. But here's the problem for shoppers: Those who want to snatch up the low price door busters will have to be among the first on line, which means arriving at the store on Thanksgiving morning or at the latest in the afternoon.3. Black Friday came early
Lots of retailers started the Black Friday-like come-ons in early November this year. Walmart launched a "Super Saturday" sale on Nov. 5. That same day Best Buy hosted an event on select consumer electronics. Some consumers might be better off shopping before Thanksgiving, especially if they're trying to get a TV, computer or other electronics at a discount. While Friday prices could be lower, they'll avoid the long lines and crowds and the possibility of not finding what they want.4. You should have stayed home
You can always stay home and search online. Your item may even be selling at a lower price than the brick and mortar stores were advertising. Oh, and you might get free shipping, too. More retailers are offering their Black Friday deals online. Toys "R" Us shoppers will be able to get the same deals online that are in its stores. Some great deals will be reserved for stores only. Retailers know that once consumers are inside the store, there's a higher chance that they'll end up buying more items than what they intended.5. Prepare for violence
In 2008, roughly 2,000 shoppers stormed a Walmart in Valley Stream, N.Y., trampling an employee to death. Since then the company has implemented crowd management techniques. Separately, last year, a shopper was arrested outside a Madison, Wisconsin, Toys "R" Us after she allegedly threatened to shoot shoppers who objected to her cutting the line. The shopper didn't really have a gun, but police arrested her. At Best Buy, employees give shoppers who are waiting in line tickets for the door buster item they want to help maintain order.6. Don't expect good quality
Stores are less likely to offer big discounts on top quality electronics on Black Friday. Retailers know they can still sell the most coveted models for higher prices. The same holds true for laptops: While enticing, $200 to $300 laptops are usually not the best products. They're intended primarily for web surfing, as opposed to gaming or watching movies. Quality isn't always an issue on Black Friday. High priced clothing is often marked down significantly. Prices on home appliances are also slashed that day. This Black Friday, some examples include an LG washer and dryer each selling for 45% off at Best Buy and a Kenmore Elite top-loading washer and electric dryer at 50% off at Sears.7. We market to women (but not the best deals)
Women spend four times more on holiday shopping than men. As a result, retailers direct much of their Black Friday marketing toward women. However, the products such as clothing, handbags and jewelry are the least in danger of running out. So consumers might want to hold off until the last few days of the holiday shopping season when retailers typically slash prices on whatever's left. For other products, if you can wait until after the holidays. Cookware and home accessory prices tend to drop at the end of December and bed linens and towels go on sale in January.8. Don't be fooled by credit card discounts offers
This holiday season, nearly 30% of consumers plan to use a credit card for most of their holiday gift purchases. Unfortunately, store credit cards are among the worst debts consumers can carry. Interest rates are almost always 20% or higher. And store cards have low credit limits, usually below $1,000. When consumers use these credit cards, the balance they carry is likely to make up a large percentage of their credit line, which can lower their credit score.9. Watch out for your fellow shoppers
Black Friday's limited inventory and crazy crowds can bring out the worst in people. Experts say tug-of-war fights over merchandise and stolen shopping carts are more common than you think. That's why they recommend that shoppers never leave their carts unattended -- even for a minute.
