Black Friday is this Friday! Did you know that Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, has earned the reputation of being the busiest shopping day of the year? The name was adopted from an accounting term - red ink denotes a negative profit margin, whereas "in the black" denotes a positive profit margin. Many retailers make or break their sales goals between Thanksgiving and Christmas, with the season kicking off on the Friday after Thanksgiving, hence the name "Black Friday.
Shopping on Black Friday can be profitable for the savvy consumer who snags the best deals, but it can also be a real headache. Check out these tips and head to the store confident about your shopping plan.
- Check Out the Ads-Your local Thanksgiving Day newspaper will be stuffed like your Thanksgiving turkey with ads, coupons, and circulars. This will be your number one source to local Black Friday savings. It will also help you organize your day to maximize savings, since many stores offer special discounts that are time specific.
- Shop Online-Want to avoid the crowds? Then, shop online. Many stores offer the same Black Friday specials on their website, and will throw in free shipping - a real bonus. Other deals to look for: free in-store pick up, online-only deals and an early start to the sales - Black Friday sales frequently kick off online at midnight on Thanksgiving, while most in-store sales start at 5 a.m. the next day.
- Compare Prices-Just because it's on sale doesn't mean it's a great deal. Use a price comparison website like www.pricegrabber.com to compare prices at competing retailers before you buy.
- Ask for Gift Receipts-Gift receipts generally include a description of the item purchased but do not disclose the price paid. Including gift receipts inside the gift box will make returns or exchanges easier for the gift recipient. Without proof-of-purchase, the recipient may be turned down for returning or exchanging the item or risk receiving an exchange for the current selling price of the item.
If you're planning on hitting the stores this Friday, study these tips and use them to help make the most out of your shopping trip