This will be the first Black Friday I will not be working on in four years.   To be frank, I’m  stoked!  Not because I’m going to do the whole wait in line and freeze my f’n ass off thingamajig, but because I get to sleep in!  If you don’t already know, Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving and the busiest shopping day of the year.  Retailers lull you in with doorbusting sales, one day promos, and an occasional prize for early line goers.

Experiencing Black Friday can be quite hellish if you are not adequately prepared.  Here are some tips acquired from years of Black Friday experience.

Before Black Friday

Do the due (diligence) before hand

There is nothing worse than fumbling through the Black Friday Ads while in line at Best Buy and realize that Lowe’s is selling something that you want even more.  In all likelihood, you will be battling dim lighting and frost bite.

Often times online bargain hunting forums / BF sites will have Leaked Ads well in advance so you can decide on BF shopping strategies well before Thanksgiving dinner.

Black Friday sites to bookmark:

• http://www.black-friday.net/
• http://www.theblackfriday.com/
• http://www.blackfriday.fm/
• http://bfads.net/

Bargain Hunting Sites worth bookmarking

• http://www.fatwallet.com/
• http://slickdeals.net/

Scout out your stores floor plan

This is not necessary if you are familiar with your store.  But if you are not, it would be in your best interest to get to know where the departments are located.  Instead of running around with your head chopped off (I guarantee you’ll see a bunch of these types of people), take the calm collective path and acquaint yourself.

Check your store’s price match policy

If your store price matches Black Friday prices, then stay in bed!  Buy the items ahead of time, take your sweet ass time to wake up and get your butt to your BF store, walk up to the customer service desk / cashier and proceed with the price match.  Major score for you!

Gas up

Don’t waste time and gas up between BF stores.  Fill up the tank way in advance to minimize any lost time.  It could be a matter of moments before that last DVD box set of The Office Season 5 at that ridiculous price gets swapped up.

Know when your store opens

Plan for efficiency.  Why wait at a store that opens at 10am when there is another store that opens at 6am.  Unless there is an item that you are dying to have at the 10am store, you are NOT being efficient.

Call your credit card companies in advance

This is so important, it’s not even funny.  Chances are, you will be doing something outside of your normal shopping patterns.  It’s always good to give them a heads up before you are completely mortified by a card declination with a cart full of iPod Shuffles.

Day of Black Friday

Get there early

Some stores will have employees handing out item tickets to people that get their early to prevent the ever-so-dangerous “mad dash” that occurs when the doors finally open.  Once you get that ticket for the item you waited in line for, you’ll be less inclined to act like a raging lunatic once you enter the store.

Also some stores will give out a map of where the big-ticket / hot items are located to early line goers.  Many times, they will have the items out on pallets in the middle of the aisle ways (often times nowhere close to the department they are categorized under).

Dress appropriately

Unless you live on the Sun, you will be freezing your ass off.

Bring a camping chair / Blanket

Might as well stay comfortable and warm while you’re at it.

Use the restroom before you line up

This will be a hard one for most people because Thanksgiving dinner likes to come out on its own time….. with a vengeance.  In all likelihood there will be no portable potties within the vicinity so it will be very important to know what stores are open that have restrooms available to the public.

Bring a friend or two

I can’t stress how important this is in terms of sanity, companionship, and being able to get all the crap you waited in line for a lot faster.  Your BF strategies are endless with a team.  One person can wait in line while the other runs around like a crazy chicken.  The list can be split up in half, three ways, four ways, etc.  One member can shop clockwise while the other goes counter-clockwise.  One team member can be in line while the others sleep in the car, grab food, get a massage, etc.

Bring some donuts

There’s nothing  better than a fresh Krispy Kreme Donut at 5am in the morning.  The idea is not to have them all for yourself, but to share with strangers that are waiting in line with you.  Your sense of camaraderie will go a long way.  Maybe they’ll help you with your list and pick up an extra item just for you.  Even if your kindness is not reciprocated, it’s nice to see them smile.

Play nice

There will be plenty of cranky people in line.  Who can blame them, they’re trudging it in line on their day off!  Anyhow, imagine how they would react if the items they waited in line for were already sold out.  OUCH.  If you got one of the HOT items in your cart, don’t go flaunt it off and rub it in other customers’ faces.  I’ve seen some pissed off customers before.  Pissing off customer on Black Friday is something else.

Are you going to Black Friday this year?  Do you have any HORROR or WIN stories?  Share with us your most memorable Black Friday experience.

Hyvästi! (Finnish)

Photo Credit: David Haines

Related posts:

1. Black Friday 2009 – Last Minute Roundup
2. Price Adjustments; Save Money AFTER the Purchase
3. $9.99 HDTVs and Bargain Hunting