Black Friday Tips

From Yahoo:

"5 things stores won't tell you about Black Friday"

1. "Expect pandemonium at the stores."

Stores are anticipating a huge turnout -- read: crowds -- this year. According to a survey conducted by management consulting firm Accenture, 53% of consumers say they plan to shop on Black Friday, up from 44% last year. That would reverse three years of declining consumer interest in the day, based on the company's previous surveys. To lure consumers, retailers have been rolling out new strategies: Some stores are using social media to give shoppers sneak previews of the deals they'll offer on Nov. 23. And to make shopping in the store easier, the retailer just enhanced its smartphone app, enabling customers to find Black Friday deals at specific store locations -- down to the department and floor. To pull in more early birds, some retailers are touting free gift cards with purchases. Consumers who spend $50 or more on certain products at Target between 4 a.m. and noon, for instance, will get a $10 store gift card for future purchases. Wal-Mart is also offering $100 store gift cards to customers who buy select smartphones beginning at 5 a.m. (while supplies last, that is).

2. "We ruined Thanksgiving."

Thanks to retailers, Black Friday comes earlier each year. This year, some stores will roll out their Black Friday deals before the Thanksgiving dinner table is cleared. Sears, Toys "R" Us and Wal-Mart deals will kick off at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving night in most locations. Most Target stores will open at 9 p.m., while Macy's and Best Buy will open doors at most locations at midnight. Retail experts say it's all meant to build up consumer demand for the day.

 3. "Black Friday came early."

Lots of retailers started the Black Friday-like come-ons in early November this year. The reason is simple. Consumer spending this holiday season is expected to increase 4.1% over the last holiday season. Still, that's down from the 5.6% growth retailers saw last year, according to the National Retail Federation. With consumers putting a cap on their budgets, retailers are jockeying to be the first stop shoppers make, says Jason Baker, a partner with X Team International, a retail brokerage alliance.

4. "You should have stayed home."

As retailers compete for more sales, they're putting their Black Friday deals online as well, says Baker. Toys "R" Us shoppers will be able to get the same deals online as in its stores, says company spokeswoman Jennifer Albano. Macy's will also offer many of the same in-store deals on its site.

That means consumers can avoid the long lines altogether by staying home and shopping online. And in some cases, they can get those deals early. Retailers including Kohl's and Sears will offer some of their Black Friday deals on their websites days before the big event. Target will also offer early online access to some deals on Thanksgiving Day. Black Friday is no longer reserved just for in-store purchases, says Kathy Grannis, a spokeswoman for the National Retail Federation. But just because they're on their computer, consumers shouldn't think they'll avoid the hype. Expect to receive text messages via your smartphone touting free shipping, discounts and coupons.

5. "Prepare for violence

Dan Nainan says he remembers his breaking point. He had been waiting outside a Best Buy for three hours -- before the store opened -- to buy a flat-screen TV that was on sale for 50% off. His chances at scoring one were decent, he figured, because he was around the 20th person in line. But as the doors opened, a crowd ran to the doors, cutting the line. Angered, the shoppers behind him started pushing forward. "It was a mob scene," he says. "There was all this pushing and shoving; I thought someone was going to get trampled." Erin Bix, a spokeswoman for Best Buy, says that the safety of its customers and employees is its biggest priority.

^ I have another tip for people on Black Friday - STAY HOME! I would never fight the cold and the crowds to get anything whether it is Black Friday or anyday. I find you can save more by buying online (you can compare prices from around the country and the world and as long as you remember to include shipping in your comparison you can get the same things as in the stores for around the same price. Even though the USPS doesn't come to my house - my mailbox is a mile away and if there's a package I have to drive to the Post Office 23 minutes away - it is still more convenient   than fighting people at Wal-mart or any store like that (which are 45 minutes away from me.) ^

http://shopping.yahoo.com/news/10-things-stores-won-t-tell-you-about-black-friday-232147791.html