Shop Like A Pro This Black Friday

Black Friday. Those two words make some people jump up and down in giddy excitement of finding some great deals, while other cringe at the thought of thousands of chaotic shoppers. Shopping on Black Friday can be a crazy and overwhelming experience, however having a game plan can often eliminate some of the craziness and can even help control your spending. In honor of Black Friday 2012, the Tiger Leasing team has put together this list of ways you can shop like a pro!

Do Your Homework

What are you shopping for? A television? A tablet? A new vacuum? Now is as good of time as any to start looking through ads from the Sunday paper or even ads on retailers’ Websites. As you’re doing research to find out what stores have what you’re looking for, keep track of how much the item at each store and put a star next to the store with the best deal. This makes it easy so when Black Friday arrives, you know what store you have to go to and how much you can plan on spending there.

Research Products You Want

One mistake many shoppers make is relying on in-store product information, product information on a store’s Website, or information from a store’s sales person. This is a mistake because information you get from the sources listed above has a risk of being biased. Of course a sales person is going to say their product is better than a different store’s! Check out this list of 14 Websites that feature product reviews from experts and consumers. Reviews can be helpful when deciding what product to buy, so check and see if what you’re looking for is on one of these lists before you buy it!

Take a Friend

Friends can be a helpful asset to Black Friday shoppers for a variety of reasons. First, it’s always more fun to shop with a friend, right? Depending on if you’re standing in a line for a long period of time, it is also beneficial to have a friend with you for restroom breaks or food breaks. In addition, having a friend or two with you is helpful so that once the doors open, you can split up to find the items you’re looking for more quickly. Splitting up and using cell phones to keep in touch is a quick and effective way to get your Black Friday shopping done.  

Plan your Purchases

Shopping carts might not be the best choice for hauling your Black Friday purchases. If you’re looking to get your hands on an item with a limited quantity, shopping carts can decrease your speed and flexibility. Replace a cart with a basket or your own reusable shopping bags so you can easily maneuver around the crowd and get what you’re looking for.

Dress for Success

It may sound silly, but think about what you are going to wear on Black Friday, mainly your shoes. Comfortable shoes are a must since you’re going to be on your feet all day. In addition, wear layers since you will be in and out of stores. A comfortable shopper is a happy shopper!

Don’t Forget the Snacks!

It’s important to keep your body going strong, but Black Friday is the busiest shopping day of the year so you probably don’t want to stop to eat at the food court. Pack nutritious snacks that will keep you fueled and full so you can shop all day long!

Black Friday can be chaos, but if you do your homework, make a list and have a game plan you can make your shopping a success. Do you have plans for Black Friday? Share with a comment below or on our Facebook page.