While Black Friday is the day for savings and mayhem, don’t get caught up in the moment and stampede into the nearest store without being sure which way you’re headed.
Doorbuster Deals
According to Shoppers Shop, Old Navy will open its doors at midnight on Friday, and will also offer free Super Mario Bros U video game for the Wii with any $40 purchase to the first few shoppers in line. Clothing stores including Banana Republic will be offering 40 percent off entire purchases to their customers.
The must-have Apple Mac product this holiday season will be the MacBook Air, which has dropped to $700 from its normal price tag of $999.
But, some of these sales are for a limited time only and may run out fast. Some items at Old Navy only go on sale from midnight to 4 a.m., so head out early if you don’t want to miss these deals.
Tech Help
According to TechNews Daily, many Black Friday merchants want to sell older models of devices and off-brands. Many of these devices are in limited supply. To avoid getting scammed on Black Friday deals, TechNews Daily advises buyers to use Smartphone apps like RedLaser, which compares prices of retail items within the user’s vicinity with the simple swipe of the item’s barcode. Buyers can use apps like RedLaser to check if they are really getting a good deal.
If you would rather avoid the hassle of crowded malls and crazed shoppers, stores like Levi’s have applied their Black Friday discounts to online purchases so shoppers can save money from the comfort of their own home.
The Magic of Gift Cards
For those of you getting started on your holiday shopping this Black Friday, you can also get holiday discounts on gift cards, which will make future shopping cheaper. Barnes & Noble is offering a free $10 gift card for every $75 in gift cards bought online or in stores from Nov. 2 to Dec. 2. Target will also give $10 gift cards when you spend $50 or more in apparel, accessories and home items, but only from 4 a.m. to noon on Friday.
Match Prices on the Spot
Some retailers like Target will match their store price to online retailers like Amazon, Walmart.com and BestBuy.com. To do a price match, all you have to do is show the current online price to the cashier along with the original receipt of the product you bought to get back the difference.
But, you must read the fine print before going through with a price match. Target’s price match excludes Black Friday deals from Nov. 23 to 26, as well as online prices from Amazon’s Daily Deals, Lightning Deals, Gold Box Deals and others.Always read the terms and conditions thoroughly before asking for a refund.
Know the Return Policy
Make sure to ask for the gift receipt and give it to the recipient so they can get their money back if they wish to make a return. Return policy for stores during the holiday season are usually different from the store’s normal return policy. Wal-Mart will accept returns made within 90 days of purchase with a receipt. Costco’s return policy is more generous; customers have 365 days to return items. Shipping and handling charges made on Costco’s online shopping website will also be reimbursed.
To get the best out of Black Friday, come up with a reasonable budget and stick to it. Some Black Friday deals don’t save you much at all, and with Christmas just around the corner, there may be bigger deals heading your way.
