OK, now that you have an idea of what items you're in the market for, you need to figure out which retailers are going to be selling them on Black Friday. Over the couple of weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, more and more ads for Black Friday sales will make their way onto the Internet. Some of these are leaked ads, while others are official advertisements from the retailers themselves. Occasionally, some stores may even "leak" their ads themselves to garner buzz around the Internet, while others send out cease-and-desist letters to sites leaking their ads early. Either way, these sites are a good way to plan out your Black Friday sales.
The main site that I've used for years is BFAds.net which posts official and unofficial Black Friday ads as they become available. They also categorize the ad based on item type, such as Electronics, Clothing, etc. They also post which items are "Door busters" (typically high demand items that are limited in quantity) and the times at which the different retailers open their doors. There has been an emerging trend where different retailers are opening earlier and earlier to one-up each other for our consumer dollars. Nowadays, a 4AM store opening is considered pretty late. Alternatively, Slick Deals has also started their own Black Friday section with much of the same information, although their main focus is on deals going on today (as shown in the deals listed on the right).
Once you've found which retailer will sell your desired item, you can see how much of a deal the Black Friday sale actually is. It's a good thing you've done your Preparation ahead of time, as you know how much you can get those items for today. Who knows? Maybe you'd be able to avoid a store altogether because you can get a comparable deal for an item today. Remember, just because it's on sale on Black Friday, doesn't make it a good deal.
Additionally, you can use these sites to determine what else that retailer is selling on Black Friday. If you're gonna be waiting on line for hours anyways, you might as well pick up a few good deals as well.
Next time, Scheduling.
Similac NeoSure Ready-to-Feed
2 fl oz bottle
LIMITED TIME SALE:
Abbot Nutrition website (http://www.abbottstore.com) (11/2/11)
Case of 48 - 2fl oz bottles
$52.99
Use promo code SIM30OFF to get $30 off
Use promo code FRIEND0209 to get another 10% off
$0.431/serving
COMPARES:
Amazon.com (11/2/11)
Cast of 48 - 2 fl oz bottles
$59.99
$1.25/serving
While the $0.43 per 2 fl oz serving doesn't quite beat the $0.34 per 2 fl oz serving of powder formula, these little bottles as much more handy to have around in case you are traveling, on the go, or don't have time to premix formula.
Playtex Drop-Ins Pre-Sterilized Soft Bottle Liners,
8-10 oz. 100 ea
LIMITED TIME SALE:
BabiesRUs.com (11/11/11)
100 count - Buy One Get One 50% off
$8.99/box
$0.067/liner
BEST DEAL:
ShopRite B&M (10/29/11)
100 count
$7.73/box
$0.077/liner
COMPARES:
Amazon Prime (10/29/11)
100 count
$10.78/box
$0.107/liner
We are just a little less than a month away from one of the biggest bargain holidays of the year: Black Friday. Normally, retailers use this day to mark the beginning of the Holiday shopping season and to get out of the red (negative), hence the name "Black Friday". Typically, retailers put a few high demand items in a big discounts, called "doorbusters", to get people into their stores who then in turn, purchase other items on sale that they normally wouldn't have bought otherwise. To get these "doorbuster" items, which are usually limited to 10 units per store, people will have to wait hours in the freezing cold to have a chance to purchase one of these items. The key to maximizing your Black Friday will require more than a thick jacket and patience. The first step in getting the best bang for your buck this Black Friday is Preparation.
The common misconception amongst Black Friday shoppers is that if it's on sale that day, it must be a good deal. However, is some cases, some of the same deals can be found at other times without having to compete with other crazed shoppers or even being able to avoid the overnight line altogether. In order to get ahead of their competition, some retailers even hold pre-BF doorbuster sales so as to not compete for BF shoppers.
So the first step is to determine what you want to get a deal on, ie. a grocery list. Black Friday sales usually include laptops, TVs, and other electronics, so if you have a need for a new TV, BF would be a good time to get one. Next, go to your favorite online and B&M stores and shop around for the item you want. By doing so, you get an idea of not only how much the item(s) you want cost at retail price, but also how much they typically go on sale for outside of Black Friday.
Next time, Leaked Ads.
Similac NeoSure Infant Formula Powder with Iron
13.1 oz can
BEST DEAL:
Amazon.com Prime (10/20/11)
Pack of six 13.1 oz cans
$88.92
$14.82/can
1 can ~ 43 2oz. servings
$0.344/serving
COMPARES:
ShopRite (10/20/11)
one 13.1 oz can
$15.49/can
1 can ~ 43 2oz. servings
$0.36/serving
Monthly Cost of Triplets: ~$372
Pampers Baby Dry Diapers
Size 1
BEST DEAL:
Amazon.com Subscribe & Save (10/20/11)
276 count
$37.75
$0.136/diaper
COMPARES:
Walmart.com (10/20/11)
192 count
$29.95
$0.156/diaper
BJ's (B&M) (10/29/11)
276 count
$42.99
$0.156/diaper
Monthly Cost of Triplets: ~$98
