Your Black Friday survival guide

By Kristy Alpert 

The power to save yourself time and money during Black Friday is in the palm of your hands, thanks to everything from QR codes to creative couponing. This year, the shopping holiday lands on November 25, and the deals are shaping up to be over-the-top — if you know where to look.

Retail expert Rick Segel, president of Rick Segel & Associates, predicts that this year is going to be all about the coupon, with secret deals sent through text message marketing, QR codes, and online deals. “The smart shopper today is checking coupons before they head out and signing up for store text message lists and bounce back coupons for unbelievable deals,” Segel explains.

“The bounce back coupon can be a major force when you go into a store and spend $400 and they give you a bounce back coupon for 25 percent to use the following week. That way people can get deals and discounts on products that the manufacturers didn’t want discounted on Black Friday.”

Tips from the retail expert

With more than 25 years of retail experience, Segel is a seasoned pro at navigating the deals and promotions of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Below are a few tips on saving, surviving, and thriving this year:

• Bring your cell phone. This year, retailers have picked up on text message marketing, and there’s no doubt major stores will be sending out incentives and discounts to savvy cell holders.
• Avoid the outlets. While mom-and-pop shops will generally participate in Black Friday deals, most outlet stores don’t offer competitive sales relative to their merchandise.
• Merge the holidays to get the most bang for your buck. Segel recommends joining in on the experience and tradition of Black Friday but spending most of your time surfing for deals on Cyber Monday. “Shopping today is a part of the entertainment business,” Segel explains. “There’s a certain rush and thrill to being with the crowds.” (Also check out Associa Advantage to see what other savings you can score!)
• Scan it in. Sometimes even after the most relentless research, what seemed like the best deal could have changed. Use a barcode scanner on your smartphone or iPad to scout for the lowest price in your neighborhood.
• Be picky. The key to being a successful Black Friday-er, says Segel, is to be what he calls a ‘cherry picker.’ “The shopper that retailers are most scared of is the cherry picker,” he says. “The retailers are hoping that while customers are in their store to buy that item, they will buy other things. But the cherry picker is the one that goes in there, buys the great deal, and gets out.”
• Plan ahead. Segel recommends starting to look for coupons a week in advance. It’s also a good idea to make a shopping list of needs/wants to help keep you focused amid the hubbub. Websites like blackfriday.info and bfads.net monitor the deals and even provide spreadsheets detailing store openings and routines. “Shopping is a sport,” laughs Segel. “The savings is the goal; it’s the score keeper. These two days combined are like the Super Bowl of shopping, and you have to be ready.”