Making a strategic plan for Black Friday morning. What stores to hit and first?

[boys2enough]

LOL! I can't believe that Thanksgiving is just around the corner! That means the day after Thanksgiving shopping extravaganze is not far away. We need to start making our attack plans, ladies! :)

It's crazy every year, isn't it? But somehow I see this as a "running with the bulls" in suburban America. LOL. Not to be missed cultural phenomenon.

DH always hits Menard's, a regional hardware store first. Last year, he got there 5 minutes before 6 am, and the parking lot was already full and all the carts were gone! He came home with 3 cartfuls of junk that we didn't need. So my job on that Saturday was to go back and returned 80% of the stuff. Bleah!

PIL are coming here this year, so I am going to ask them to watch the kids while I get my turn in bargain hunting. Any favorite Black Friday stores of yours?


Cheers, Lin

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[ribbit1019]

I subscribed to BFads.net They are posting the ads as they become available. I also watch fatawallet's BF thread, to make sure I can keep track of all the good deals.
I am really watching Office Max since they have no rebates this year.
GL to everyone!

Christy
Wife to Richard
My Waterbabies
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[onjbj]

I just signed up for Bfads! What a great idea! I love to hit TRU at 5am. They have awesome deals on toys on Black Friday. Then I hit Target b/c they are right next to each other where I live. Can't wait!
Karin

[kelly ann]

Menards was that crowded? What kinds of things are on sale that everyone is at the hardware store at 6am?

If I go out, then I would probably go to a less frequented store...like Michaels or Linens N Things. But if Menards gets a crowd then those stores probably do as well.

One year I hit Carson Pirie's in the afternoon for their afternoon only specials and it was much more relaxing - still crowded though.

[MayB]

I love Black Friday; my husband says it's my version of hunting season. I use the Gotta Deal Black Friday website to check out the ads ahead of time. I usually do Walmart/Target early (5 AM) and then the Prime Outlets by 7 AM. This year the outlets are opening on Friday at midnight, advertising 25% off until 8 AM. The midnight opening is a bit crazy, even for me.

A good hint to remember is that Walmart will honor competitor's ads so if something is out of stock at another store, take the circular to Walmart, and they should give you the sale price.

[Momof3Labs]

Last year my first stop was Staples. They had a few things that were free with a rebate, and a number of other things that were very cheap with rebate. They weren't very busy at all at 7am, lol.

After that we usually head to the mall.

Anyone wanna meet up at the Aurora outlets for the midnight opening? Not me, I can't even get myself out of bed for the 5am openings!

[scoop22]

i hit kohls sometimes. last year we did really good there. they also had the if you spend $50 you get $10 in kohls cash. That means i get to go shopping again. we do target as well. I love black friday. I have to plan this year as well.. I might have to do TRU since ds is getting older..
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[icunurse]

Yep, I always hit Kohl's. They have great prices, the "incentive bucks", and they usually send out a 15% off coupon about a week ebfore Thanksgiving, so you can't beat it. At least last year, they put their Black Friday prices online starting at midnight, which might be a nice alternative to actually having to go outside in the cold!
Traci
~Mom to DS 02/2004~
Hoping, waiting...

[mom to little e]

Last year it was the mall for me. BBW, Gymbo, and TCP were by big stops.

I definitely will hit Bath and Body works again. Last year I stumbled upon their deal for Wallflowers ($5/each, I think - the best I've seen) since I like those and don't want to ever pay full price during the year. I'll stock up on those. Maybe a sporting goods place to get a deal on a golf club cart for DH.

This thread is great - I've been getting BF emails and thought they were just junk - now I know better!

Maryann

[Momof3Labs]

Yes, Gymbo is always a good stop. They usually do 30% off of the entire store until 10am (or something like that) then a smaller discount the rest of the day. I got some great stuff off of the clearance rack last year, including DS2's Halloween costume for $6.99.

I think that BBW has had that great price on Wallflowers for a few Black Fridays now, so perhaps you can stock up again this year!

[eska]

Does anyone know if PBK does anything on Black Friday?

I usually can't stand the craziness of BF, but after the deals I got at Gymbo last year, I might be making a strategic plan this year :)

[jray]

YUK! I hate crowds and crowded shopping. This year, I'll be doing all my shopping ONLINE. :)

[kelly ann]

How about the Hanna outlet in Indiana?! We would have to leave right after Thanksgiving dinner to get there - ummmm, how would I word that to DH ;)

[caheinz]

Hmmmmm. Midnight I could do -- not 5am, though! (And that one's hardly a stone's throw from me...)