Black Friday veterans?

[java]

Anyone else feel lost this year? with the opening times all over the place I am feeling like it's not worth it this year. I have not even been checking the ads as much as I feel defeated before I start.

So help me get back into that shopping vibe. Or what is your plan of attack?

 

[usnuzuloose]

To me all these times are insane. I am really confused as to when any of the real black Friday sales start. I am waiting for the ads in the paper. But then again Big Lots opens on Thanksgiving at 7 am.

 

[sunkissed4]

I'm right there with you. I love Black Friday, but this year I'm overwhelmed and actually annoyed with the early openings. I shopped online at Kohl's yesterday and got some great deals, stress free!

 

[jillbur]

I am also annoyed at the opening times and wish Black Friday would start on FRIDAY! And, to make matters worse, stores are now putting things on sale online at random times! I just told my sister (my shopping buddy) that I am usually more organized for Black Friday by now and we have a game plan. But, now I am planning to see if I can get a few things online. Good luck to all and have fun shopping

 

[TomD]

98% of what I was going to buy on Black Friday or whatever it is being called this year I have already bought online for the same price or cheaper. I have 3 more gifts to get and i am done No standing in lines for me.

 

[dpswift]

I am very upset over the Disney Infinaty fiasco. Our Walmart could not find theirs and I missed all the online deals.

I am going to try for a few items online on Thanksgiving, there really is only one thing I need(Nintendo DS2) and there are not any deals out there for that.

I am actually working opening BF this year the last 2 years the kids have gone over and waited in line but this year I do not think there is anything they want either.

The best tip is if you do not want door busters wait until later to go over. The stores will be dead in the wee hours of the morning. Even later in the day it will be like a busy regular day.

 

[cnjmom]

It's always confusing in MA, because our stores are not allowed to open on Thursday, so we've always had to go search out when the stores are opening...but it's always Friday. However, this year most of the big box stores are opening at 1 AM on Friday morning, which is probably the worst time as far as sleep is concerned. I feel like it's better if you can either go Thanksgiving night or get up early and arrive at 4-5.

The best tip is if you do not want door busters wait until later to go over. The stores will be dead in the wee hours of the morning.

Unfortunately, this tip does not work for those of us who live in MA. The wee hours are when our stores are opening this year.

 

[usnuzuloose]

It's always confusing in MA, because our stores are not allowed to open on Thursday, so we've always had to go search out when the stores are opening...but it's always Friday. However, this year most of the big box stores are opening at 1 AM on Friday morning, which is probably the worst time as far as sleep is concerned. I feel like it's better if you can either go Thanksgiving night or get up early and arrive at 4-5.



Unfortunately, this tip does not work for those of us who live in MA. The wee hours are when our stores are opening this year.

That is interesting, what kind of law says they can not open on the holiday? Not that it is a bad thing..

 

[Robinrs]

It IS confusing!! My son and I usually have it down pat but this year it's all over the place. When I told him he'd have to go to Target at 8pm on Thursday I thought he'd have a heart attack! It's a tradition of ours to be there at midnight! It's more HIS time of day than mine!

I'm doing MOST of mine online this year. He needs (WANTS) a new laptop so I'm counting on the Dell sale which is all online start this evening.

 

[wiigirl]

I'm right there with you. I love Black Friday, but this year I'm overwhelmed and actually annoyed with the early openings. I shopped online at Kohl's yesterday and got some great deals, stress free!

 

[kwelch10377]

That is interesting, what kind of law says they can not open on the holiday? Not that it is a bad thing..

Certain areas of the country still have Blue Laws that prohibit certain businesses from being open on holidays and in some areas on Sundays. Stores in MA, RI, ME and Bergen County NJ can't be open on Thanksgiving and if they choose to open they have to pay fines.

 

[Colleen27]

What is killing me is all the pre-sales. I'm not a Red Card holder, I don't have Elite status with Best Buy (yet... grumble grumble, my last purchase will put me over the threshold, when it posts in mid-Dec), and I'm kind of getting the impression that a lot of the good sales are going to go the way of concert tickets - unless you can get in on a presale you may as well forget it, because you're going to be one of hundreds or thousands of people trying to get what are essentially the leftovers from the "preferred" customer groups. And as a whole I'm not all that impressed with the deals - the laptops I bought my older two are advertised on BF for the same (sale) price I paid 2 weeks ago so I'm glad I didn't wait and fight the crowds for that purchase.

I am still going out, though. The North Face outlet near me has 50% off all outerwear and I'm looking for a particular 3-in-1 style for DD that I haven't had much luck finding on sale elsewhere. Best Buy I'll do online tonight/tomorrow morning - I'm looking for one mid-demand item, one low-demand advertised item, and two regular price items just to check them off my list, so that shouldn't be too bad. And there are a few things I'm after from Meijer and Menards, but they aren't big ticket or doorbusters so I don't think I should have too much trouble there.

 

[momto2inKC]

I always go out on Black Friday. I think it's just getting ridiculous though with all the stores trying to be the first to be open. I lucked out and got the lightning deal on Amazon yesterday for DS16 3DS XL for $149. That was the only big ticket item I needed. I'm fairly certain I won't be going out tomorrow and might venture out later in the morning on Friday to peruse what's left.

 

[tyniknate]

98% of what I was going to buy on Black Friday or whatever it is being called this year I have already bought online for the same price or cheaper. I have 3 more gifts to get and i am done No standing in lines for me.

I'm right there with you. Normally I do 80% of my shopping in stores on Black Friday. This year I was so annoyed I did 80% of my shopping online. I got most of the same deals as Black Friday (or even better prices) and my UPS guy is now my best friend. I've seen him almost daily for the last three weeks.

No crowds to fight. Stuff brought right to my door. Didn't pay for ANY shipping. Sat in my jammies at home and shopped. I think Black Friday I will take a stroll out for one or two items and then just sit back and watch everyone else.

 

[threecrazykids]

I'm right there with you. Normally I do 80% of my shopping in stores on Black Friday. This year I was so annoyed I did 80% of my shopping online. I got most of the same deals as Black Friday (or even better prices) and my UPS guy is now my best friend. I've seen him almost daily for the last three weeks.

No crowds to fight. Stuff brought right to my door. Didn't pay for ANY shipping. Sat in my jammies at home and shopped. I think Black Friday I will take a stroll out for one or two items and then just sit back and watch everyone else.

I couldn't agree more! I have always been a BF "in store" shopper, until this year. I will go out for sure (because I'm insane and love the BF buzz) but I will be much more mellow because every single thing I "had to have" I have already purchased online for the same price the stores will have on BF. PLUS some of them came with additional gift certificates (Aeropostale).

I never used to really like the online shopping, but this year I have loved it! Add to the fact that I don't have to pay shipping and I couldn't be happier. Now I can peruse whatever deals I find on BF but won't feel disappointed if something is out of stock that I was hoping to get. I will love my BF shopping even more.

 

[Egdisney]

I used to love Black Friday. I loved waking up early and getting in line. I hate it now. Hate. People now just hang out at Walmart all day. I am not interested in doing that. I don't need anything, and there will be little that isn't also available online. My brother is in lower management at WM and is obsessed with retail, he contends the best deals will come after BF. I may stop in a couple places in the morning on BF, I will definitely go to hyvee to grab $100 worth of giftcards for $80, but otherwise I will try to stay out of the stores until Jan.

 

[QVCshopper]

Yeah, it's weird. I am pretty sure I'm only going to Target and late, like at 11 or 12. Lines should be down by then, and I mostly just want Monster University for $10 and other little things.

We are cutting back this year, so all of the usual stress is basically gone.

 

[Taylor'sMom]

Agreed. I am 90% done because of all the pre-sales. Only 1 more thing to get, which is at Staples. I'm normally a shop-all-morning kinf of BF girl... but this year, I've bought almost everything online. Amazon, Target and Kohls mostly.