I originally posted this in November of 2011. I figured with Black Friday approximately 30 days away. I would remix this post and add a little more to it.
Thanksgiving is approaching and for the seventh year in a row cooking will not be a part of the festivities. This year we’re going to spend a few days at Pheasant Run Resort & Spa. I have a feeling that after Black Friday this year a massage will be just what the doctor ordered. With so many stores opening on Thursday night, I will be done shopping by Friday morning.
Black Friday is the day when people lose their damn minds trying to find the hottest new toy for their kids. It’s also the day that you will get your ass kicked because your ass decided to take a flat screen out of somebodies cart when they weren’t looking. Yes, I’ve seen it all and I know people get crazy over shit real fast on that day. As a professional Black Friday shopper, I’m going to provide a few tips if you’re planning on getting out there in search of a deal
1) Establish a plan of attack- Never go to Wal-Mart, Target, or any other store without a clue as to what you want. Both stores release their ads early so sign up on a site such as blackfriday.com so you can know in advance what it is you want. Don’t go in there and wander around aimlessly Black Friday is not the day for that.
2) Dress Warm and be prepared to stand In a Line- If you’re in the Midwest like me, November is not exactly the warmest month of the year. In fact, I turned on my heat last week! In most cases, you will be standing in line to get in. I have stood in line at Coach for 3 hours before. In recent years, I’ve started to age (or maybe I just came to my senses). I don’t have it in me anymore to stand outside in the cold. Update: Stores have graciously started opening the doors early for customers; however, you will still need to wait in line until 12am to get specific items.
3) Don’t go shopping alone – You need at least 3 people, the fast one to get the stuff you want, one person to watch your cart so no one will take the shit from you, and a third person to stand in the long ass line to pay for the stuff you got. Leave your toddlers and babies at home, no baby should be out there in line with you plus strollers get in peoples way.
4) Never ever leave your cart unattended, I don’t care what happens, don’t leave your cart. People will steal your items and you will come back to an empty cart. People simply lose all restraint on this day, especially if it’s a television. Guard electronics like your life depends on it!
5) Skip the Thanksgiving festivities, you can eat dinner with family anytime, get plenty of rest. You can’t run with a stomach full of turkey, stuffing, and mac and cheese. Consider Black Friday your night job! I haven’t heard anything about store opening times with the exception of Macys who announced that they will be opening Thanksgiving night at 8pm!
6) Know your store and where to find stuff, especially electronics. Visit the store and do a walk through if you’re not sure. Wear comfortable shoes just in case you have to run ….LBVS. Whatever you do don’t fight over merchandise; it’s not lady like and a flat screen TV is not worth going to jail for.
Over the past few days, people have been making quite a fuss about stores opening Thanksgiving night. I do understand that Thanksgiving is a time for family but when your stove catches fire from frying a turkey; you call 911. You then expect for someone to answer and send the fire department out. When you don’t have a car you get on the bus or you call a cab. If you get sick you go to the hospital and run into plenty of doctors and nurses. My point is; people have been working on the holidays since I been in this world! And most of them are grateful to get that time and a half; especially around the holidays. On a positive note, you can go out and work off all that turkey and stuffing!
Will you be out shopping this year? How do you feel about some stores opening on Thanksgiving night?
Check out www.blackfriday.com for special sales on Black Friday for Wal-Mart, Target, Kohl’s, Sears and a variety of other stores.
