The Black Friday Experiment 2013: What Did I Get Myself Into?

Black Friday is at the end of this week, how did that happen? But the bigger question is this: What on earth did I get myself into, and why am I doing this again?

Okay, I admit it, it has been fun so far.

Those of you who have been following this blog series know two things about me. First, I haven’t done anything close to Black Friday in over 20 years. Second, even though I am taking this challenge, there will be absolutely no shopping on Thanksgiving for me, and I hope others will opt out too.

I compiled a list of stores that are NOT open on Thanksgiving.  If you know of any more stores to add, please post them in the comments. For a complete list of stores Black Friday hours and sales, there are several sites I will share at the end of this article.

I am stunned and absolutely floored about something that happened this year. I almost feel the need to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming. (Disclaimer:  I said “almost”.) Wait for it... Okay, here it goes. I have completed about 95% of my Christmas shopping already.  Never in my entire life have I done that. Not only that, it was done 100% online. I didn't step foot into a store.

In the past, if I bought one or two things before Thanksgiving. I thought I was the slickest of the slick, the savviest of all shoppers, with dreams of being crowned the queen of Shopperland.

However, as I have now figured out, (as with what usually comes with those grand illusions of wearing a crown), I was truly dreaming and I had nooooooo idea what I was talking about in previous years. I was really nothing but a shopping peasant…but did I mention that this year I am 95% done with my holiday shopping? Oh yeah, I’d say that crown is starting to look a little more realistic and a little more in reach.

It wasn’t a lot of work, and was actually very simple.  I signed up for the emails, Facebook updates and phone apps from all of my favorite Black Friday sites. After that, I just sat back and paid attention. This past week was so jam-packed with stores competing against each other and offering Black Friday previews, competitor price match-ups, and surprise sales that I really couldn’t keep up with it all. My head was swimming! It was crazy out there in cyberland, but at the same time there were no crowds to battle and very few empty shelves or disappointments.

For those of you who are also venturing out, here are a few last minute tips. I have more ideas and tips in my previous blog articles, so make sure you check them out too.

• Stick to a list and a budget. This is very important so that you aren’t doing impulsive shopping. It is an instant reality check. Save all receipts in a safe place while shopping so they don’t get lost in the rush just in case you have second thoughts later.

• Work the system that is in place and you can save a lot of money. Pay attention to coupons and store flyers. Some stores offer gift cards if you spend over a certain amount. CVS and Kmart both have cash reward programs; even your credit card might have a reward system to earn points.

• Shopping online? Don’t wait for Cyber Monday to begin shopping online, big sales are already happening as you are reading this. You can expect more great deals are happening right now, and will continue on Black Friday and through the weekend, as well as all season long.

• What about doorbusters? Some of them are staggered from Thanksgiving through the weekend so you will want to do your homework on when the sales will be and take your list.

• Where are the deals?? You have to keep on top of things, and really the best way is to hook up with the pros. By “liking” their facebook pages, you will get the info as it happens. This is the best way to get the most current info and crazy deals as they happen. These people are the experts, tap into some of that expertise. The bait is on the hook from retailers already, and there is a lot of fishing going on as we get closer. You can expect it to continue in the weeks to come.  I posted the links to these pros at the end of this article.

This morning, Best Buy ran a doorbuster deal online, (as well as in some stores) of a top deal that Walmart will be offering on Black Friday. It was an iPad Mini for $299 plus a $100 gift card. For those on the west coast who were interested, it was sold out by 6:30am.  The early bird definitely got that worm. The retailers want your business!

As for my escapade out into the craziness this Friday, we will see what happens. I might do just about anything for a story, but seriously we are not going to throw this Black Friday newbie into any doorbuster events in the stores on that day.  Being pushed, shoved or trampled might turn this blog into a totally different thing than what I am trying to accomplish. 

My goal is that I want to experience Black Friday like my good friend and fellow Patch Blogger, Erica. For her it’s a fun and enjoyable experience. I am approaching it as a time to find things I might need, or gifts at a reasonable price.  It will be about keeping it positive.   

Right now, I find myself going from feelings of excitement to wondering what the heck I was thinking! My mom reminded me that I could get killed or worse while shopping on Black Friday. Thanks Mom. 

Before I am off, I want to give some attention to another very important shopping event. Small Business Saturday is on November 30! In my area, downtown Santa Cruz was one of 50 cities picked that will offer free parking for shoppers. Patch will pay for parking from 9am to 5pm on that day. The meters that are free will be covered. Go out and support your local businesses!

Now, I will leave you with a list of my favorite Black Friday Facebook pages and websites. Most of them have phone apps too. Wish me luck out there, I will need it. I will report back early next week with my results of my experiment. 

• Long Island Coupon Queen on Facebook As well as the sister page Black Friday 2013 dedicated to only Black Friday. The LICQ page has all kinds of deals all year long.
• Black Friday Ads Lots of great deals to be found here too.  They even posted a surprise sale of the hottest new game console.
• BlackFriday.com  They also post great deals.
• Surviving the Stores also posts a lot of top deals!
  

Here are websites with all the info you want, need and more with info on their phone apps too:

• BlackFriday.com
  
• Long Island Coupon Queen
  
• Bfads.net
• Blackfriday.fm
• Surviving the Stores
  

Have fun and be good to each other out there!

*** Editing to add that most retailers are going LIVE online TONIGHT Wed 11/27 with their Black Friday Sales. Many times are not known until they go live. Go to BlackFriday.com (or any of the sites above) to see the latest news as they go live.