[stefani1]

I know it's not for a while, but I saw a post the other day and it jogged my curiosity. This will be the first year I am really couponing and trying to save save save. I was wondering from the "experts" what are some of the best stores that I should focus on?? I know everyone has great sales, but where do you think are the best ones where I won't get run over or killed?? I don't want to have to sleep over the night before to get a good deal either. The only ones that I know are crazy are Best Buy and Walmart!! Do places like Rite Aid and CVS have a black Friday sale??? Thanks. This may help me and the newbies for black friday this year.

[linz152]

I think just about every store gets in on the Black Friday craziness! I don't have a Rite Aid so I'm not sure about them but CVS had a Black Friday sale last year.

Another big thing now is "Cyber Monday" (the Monday following Thanksgiving) for all those who didn't want to go out and fight the crowds, the online retailers are focusing in on them. I got some killer deals last year without having to leave the house.

I also really suggest starting now if possible to get some of the stuff out of the way. I have all the kiddos in my life done because of Target's toy clearance. I have also found some great clearanced clothes and shoes for my 14 and 15 year old nephews. If you have the room, you can keep an eye out all year and really score some great deals too. Just another thought!

Linz

[CharlieGirl]

i start the day after christmas and store. I watch on here for good online sales too. I know VS had a couple good glitches, .

[kandikid82]

It's different everywhere. If I'm at MIL's house in rural Alabama I can walk calmly into Walmart on black Friday, get what I wanted and walk back out. But the Target there is like a free for all.

Here in Atlanta forget about Walmart (people seriously get injured). Target is a better option.

In general - avoid all malls if possible. They are always going to be nuts. If you want something techie from a computer place (Best Buy/Curcuit City) plan on camping out 24 hours ahead of time. They will only have so many of the hot computer or camera deals and if you not there super early you won't get it.

Best advice is to go for the things that nobody else is really looking at. Forget about the early bird freebie and go for that kitchen appliance for 50% off. Pass up the gaming stations and just get some good prices on games. The bigger stuff will always attract more people.

And very true, there is always Cyber Monday and don't forget to check out ebay for auctions ending on black Friday. Everyone will be at the B&M stores and nobody is bidding on ebay. You can get good deals that way too.

[latrice0723]

I too agree Walmart is a nightmare. Just think of a typical day at Walmart and multiply that by 1000. I did Target last year (stood in line for 1 hour prior to opening) and was able to get good deals. I was not shopping for big ticket items so that helped. I mostly buy those items throughout the year and search for the items everyone else may not even think of purchasing bc they are too busy wasting their time fighting over the only 5 big ticket items the store "stocked up."

[spellbinded2004]

Omg... I Totally Loved Cvs Black Friday Deals! That's How I Got My Sister Hooked. She Walked Out With Like 34.00 In Ecbs! Ah.... The Memories!

[ervetteck]

Originally Posted by latrice0723

I too agree Walmart is a nightmare. Just think of a typical day at Walmart and multiply that by 1000. I did Target last year (stood in line for 1 hour prior to opening) and was able to get good deals. I was not shopping for big ticket items so that helped. I mostly buy those items throughout the year and search for the items everyone else may not even think of purchasing bc they are too busy wasting their time fighting over the only 5 big ticket items the store "stocked up."

2 years in a row I went to Walmart, both at different times and I did not have a problem at all; they had the items I wanted (again no big ticket items), but it was not a madhouse like I expected; although throughout the year it is obnoxiouos to go in to this store!??? Anyhow, maybe my city doesn;t do BF and I am a lucky loner=)!!

Becky

[rebekah]

Walmart price matches too! So it's a one stop for me so the madness is worth it for only 1 trip.

[geishagirl81]

The best advice I can give you is to make a list of what you need ect to fullfill your shopping list, and then get the paper EARLY on Thanksgiving. It sells out quick. Then carefully scan the ads for items on your list. The list can be essential because it is easy to be lured by the deals and want to buy stuff you don't really need.

From there, you will probably have to prioritize your wishlist so you can get in line at the store with the most important buy. Even better, illicit the help from someone else shopping/waiting in line at another store. My mom and I always send my dad to another store with his cell phone in order to get a deal. For most stores like Target, Kmart, Radio Shack, ect I would recc'd at least heading out 1 to 2 hours before opening.

Once in a store, forget a cart, just go to the deptartment the sale item is in ASAP, without running like a derranged madwoman. Stores like Target often put bigger items in the front of the store in piles too. The rest is usually on endcaps. In the electronics dept. you may have to get a number ASAP as some higher priced stuff is behind the counter and swarms of ppl will appear.

Also, you may have to be firm, watch your stuff. I once had a lady try to sneak a toy out of my grasps!!!! It can really bring out the worst in some ppl.

As for stores, every year since I can remember Kohls has great specials and a $10 reward for every $50 you spend. However, the lines there are so long as the registers aren't set up like big box store. Target always has great deals. Forget Best Buy or Circuit City unless you want to trade your Thanksgiving dinner for a cold stint in a tent setup in the parking lot, seriously. Sears and Radio Shack can have good finds with smaller lines too.

[MSMom]

Not only are stores different in each city, the departments within those stores are totally different. I will never buy electronics from Target after the scenes I witnessed last year, and the toy aisle is always a madhouse, but it's doable for me.

I always make a list of what I'm looking for when I look over the ads, and then I make a list of all the stuff I notice in the ads that weren't on the list. Then, I compare the prices and make a workable plan from the lists. I'll pay a little more for something at one store if everything else I want is there.

[Dennie]

Originally Posted by geishagirl81

without running like a derranged madwoman.

and there are normally lots of them!

[daffynpooh]

It depends upon what you want - look at the flyers, make lists and then go from there. Realize the "hot" electronic deals will usually be gone after the first 10 people in line at Best Buy, and can be short stocked at Walmart. Kohls has insane lines to checkout - take someone else with you to grab a spot in line as soon as you get in there.....by the time they get to the register, you will have your stuff and meet them there!

[mtalk]

What kind of balck Friday sale does CVS have?

[linz152]

Originally Posted by geishagirl81

without running like a derranged madwoman.

Also, you may have to be firm, watch your stuff. I once had a lady try to sneak a toy out of my grasps!!!! It can really bring out the worst in some ppl.

Okay the derranged madwoman quote really made me laugh! And Black Friday seems to bring out the...interesting in people.

I was a manager at Target for a long time. I was the toys manager the year Tickle Me Elmo came out. It was in our ad for Black Friday. I was working that morning and witnessed some of the craziest behavior I've ever seen. There were people practically wrestling for the last ones on the shelf. We also would let them run completely out and then wait about an hour and bring more out. I had to be escorted from the stockroom by AP (Security) who then stood, arms crossed blocking access to me, the endcap and the cart of Tickle Me Elmos. I re-stocked the shelves and then they had a third AP guy take me back to the stockroom before the first two AP guys moved out of the way of the endcap. I sort of felt like a rock star.

That same year I had a woman call me names because we were out of an electronics items. I also had another woman pull my hair to get my attention. Seriously, who pulls someone's hair? There was also a guy running around the store doing laps apparently. He had been outside in line and my personal theory is that he just got overwhelmed and didn't know what to try to get. He ran past me twice before AP asked him to stop running. Then I guess he just left. I still laugh when I imagine him meeting up with his wife somewhere and her being dumbfounded that instead of getting the things on their list from Target he just ran laps around the store and then left empty-handed.

Linz

[MSMom]

Originally Posted by linz152

Okay the derranged madwoman quote really made me laugh! And Black Friday seems to bring out the...interesting in people.

There was also a guy running around the store doing laps apparently. He had been outside in line and my personal theory is that he just got overwhelmed and didn't know what to try to get. He ran past me twice before AP asked him to stop running. Then I guess he just left. I still laugh imagine him meeting up with his wife somewhere and her being dumbfounded that instead of getting the things on their list from Target he just ran laps around the store and then left empty-handed.

Linz

THAT is the funniest image!!!!

[Dennie]

Originally Posted by linz152

Okay the derranged madwoman quote really made me laugh! And Black Friday seems to bring out the...interesting in people.

I was a manager at Target for a long time. I was the toys manager the year Tickle Me Elmo came out. It was in our ad for Black Friday. I was working that morning and witnessed some of the craziest behavior I've ever seen. There were people practically wrestling for the last ones on the shelf. We also would let them run completely out and then wait about an hour and bring more out. I had to be escorted from the stockroom by AP (Security) who then stood, arms crossed blocking access to me, the endcap and the cart of Tickle Me Elmos. I re-stocked the shelves and then they had a third AP guy take me back to the stockroom before the first two AP guys moved out of the way of the endcap. I sort of felt like a rock star.

That same year I had a woman call me names because we were out of an electronics items. I also had another woman pull my hair to get my attention. Seriously, who pulls someone's hair? There was also a guy running around the store doing laps apparently. He had been outside in line and my personal theory is that he just got overwhelmed and didn't know what to try to get. He ran past me twice before AP asked him to stop running. Then I guess he just left. I still laugh when I imagine him meeting up with his wife somewhere and her being dumbfounded that instead of getting the things on their list from Target he just ran laps around the store and then left empty-handed.

Linz

Oh my goodness, thanks for the laugh! It must have been hilarious!

Hate that you were put through all that other stuff though. I don't know why but people seem to think that a good deal means that you can act any way you please!