Has Black Friday got you wondering if it is actually worth it to ditch your family on one of the only official days you have off work, to go stand in line in the freezing cold for some merch? Are you really getting sweet discounts, coupons, and deals that are any where near worth it? You may want to re-think that trip to the store this year or at least buckle down and do your research to see if you're actually getting a deal or scammed or duped out of your hard earned money.
1. You're Always Going to Be Too Late
Stores will put up big splashy ads letting you know that that game system, that phone, that watch, whatever, are going to be marked down by a 100 dollars. So you think great deal, I'll go there, but what you don't read is that it is limited quantity only. Meaning, the store will probably let 50 of that item go for that price and then magically they are out. So unless you are the die hard that camps out for an entire week before the sale to get it, by the time you get there, even at 3am in the morning, that item is long gone.
2. They Trap You
So you waited in line for 4 hours and they were already sold out of the phone or the game system you wanted, but guess what, pissed, you've still waited for four hours to get into that store, you know the parking lot is crazy, and you can barely move anyway with all the people there, so you're going to look around and most likely out of some type of frustration or simply because you can't really leave because at every corner there is something shiny with a sales sign on it catching your eye, you're going to buy something just because you're there...and it's going to be something you don't need. You aren't saving 100 dollars on the thing you wanted, you're spending 150 on things you didn't want or need.
3. No name brand products
What is a Fiore flat screen tv anyway? Why aren't there any reviews online for it? Why can't you seem to find the serial number after Thanksgiving? Why can't you return the product? Well, it's because all those piles of tvs, and griddles, and sweaters are what stores call, derivatives. They are LIKE those products you know so well, but they are only it's cheaply made in China going to break before the warrantee ends, cousin. If you've never heard of the brand, its probably because you never will again until next Black Friday. It's also why you're getting such an incredible deal because you're being sold the lemons of all lemons.
4. The hike and dump
Legally speaking, in order for an item to be sold at discount it obviously has to be sold at a lower price then previously advertised which typically means, at least 30 days from the original pricing. So what a lot of stores do, 3 months back, they hike up the price of said item, and then right before Black Friday, they price it back at the original price or offer a low percentage off so you think you're getting a spectacular deal but you're really not.
5. The sales are already happening/will continue after Black Friday
Aside from a few quantity limited items, in an internal way, more and more stores are letting go of the notion of "Black Friday" only sales, and opting instead to take full advantage of the fact that you and your family and friends are probably in town for a few days and are willing to stick around and save. Many offer pre-Black Friday Sales and After Black Friday sales which are all literally the same thing...meaning you don't actually have to wait in some crazy line at 2am in the morning anymore to get a good deal. Not to mention, if you go in the afternoon, once most have left and are tired, a majority of the same sales are still there with no lines. Hook up online with your favorite stores website and notifications to really get a look at the deals and how long they last.
6. Cyber Monday/the internet is a thing
A lot of people kill themselves waking up early and pawing and clawing their way through long crazy sales lines, but the internet is a thing and so is Cyber Monday. A lot of retailers are offering the same deals if not better, online, and just like in store, they don't end on Black Friday, they go on throughout the season.
P.S. double check the sender of email reminders and updates about your online purchases BEFORE opening them. Scammers love to send phishing emails, all sorts of viruses, or create similar looking websites to known retailers to get your personal info. When it doubt, go directly to the company website or call the company to check on suspicious emails/messages.
7. They put it on an end cap
An end cap in a store is placed on the end of an aisle for maximum views. They are tons of the same item stacked neatly with a nice big price sign over them letting you know this is a great deal...except, that's not really true. A store may promise you that SOME items in store are on sale, but they didn't say all, and certainly not on the end cap. End caps are usually products that are expiring soon, or they have overstock of, and the need to get rid of them fast, so a store makes it seem like they are on sale or you're getting a good deal, and most fall for it hook line and sinker.
8. Cheaper 3 months ago
I can tell you having personally worked many years in retail as a teen, that Black Friday is not even close to the best time to shop. The best pricing happens right after a season is over and before inventory and/or the new year. This is when stores definitely would rather you buy up this stuff, then have to count it. They go as low as 75%-90% off depending on the store. Please be aware that most stores who may have done lack luster sales during the year, are trying to make up the difference in November/December, so they aren't exactly trying to let it all go and nothing prices. They want and need profit, so that means giving you the least amount of discount that they can unless the store does or is doing tremendous sales already. If you look back on previous ads, a lot of times, you're paying more on Black Friday then you would have 3 months ago. Won't help you now, but it may remind you not to spend as much on something a few weeks on, is going to actual drop to a really good deal.
9. Read the fine print
Sounds great that you're going to get $50 dollars off your purchase of 200$ or more, however, in fine print is says you must send in the rebate via the mail and it will take a month to get it. Or maybe you saw 50% off coupon, like wow, lucky you, except it's only on clearance items or the red collection vs. the blue collection that you actually want.
...and SAFETY WARNINGS
1. Stores are nuts. People literally kill people over merchandise each year. You go at your own risk.
2. This day is Christmas for pick pockets and thieves. They like to steal phones out of back pockets, distract and take items out of carts, steal wallets and debit/credit cards. Be aware of your valuables at all times especially in the chaos where you're being bumped and jostled. You may want to consider wearing your money/ID in a runners belt or similar for the day that can be kept close to the body. Leave the purse and wallet at home.
3. Don't shop alone. One target is easier for criminals, than two or more.
4. Thieves can and will follow you home or away from the store. Believe me, they are watching to see who is leaving the store with big ticket items. They follow you as you go out for breakfast with your family, then pop your trunk while you're inside, and take your goods or wait until you park in the driveway at your house and then brazenly walk up, and take your items.
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