It is a day of legend and lore. On this day, dreams really do come true with the purchase of a tiny Netbook with an equally tiny price tag. It is on this day that a shopper will make one small swipe on his or her credit card, for one giant flat screen for under the tree. And at the end of the day, men and women are judged not by the content of their characters, but by the content of their bags.
This day is Black Friday.
The term Black Friday was coined in 1966 by the Philadelphia Police Department to reference the Friday following Thanksgiving, according to the American Dialect Society. The police officers bestowed the name on the opening day of Christmas shopping season, not as a term of endearment but as a way of describing Black Friday bonanzas.
Below is a survival guide for those brave souls who will weather the crowds on Nov. 27.
Know your Territory
Black Friday shoppers know their habitat. Knowing where the stores are located, where to park and where the closest bathroom is located will help maximize time. And time is most definitely of the essence on Black Friday.
Plan ahead by visiting the store or mall before Black Friday so you are familiar with the layout. Don’t waste a precious deal-saving minute staring at a mall directory.
Be Prepared
Think about what you will be enduring during this shopping marathon. First, be wary of the weather. The daily highs may still be in the 70s but at 2 a.m., it might be chillier. Make sure to bring a jacket or even a blanket if you are waiting in line for a long time.
Lastly, make sure you are awake and alert. If shopping and great deals aren’t enough to keep your adrenaline pumping into the wee hours of the morning, bring an energy drink, coffee or chocolate.
Plot and Plan
Each year, the number of stores that participate in Black Friday grows. This year, with the ailing economy, the deals these stores offer are even sweeter. Think logically about strategy.
Rank and search for items based on importance and supply. “Just know what you’re looking for,” advises Sociology senior Jade Noble, a Stash employee at Scottsdale Fashion Square. “If you have a list of what you want, you’ll have a better chance of finding it. Otherwise you’ll end up wandering around the mall for hours.”
Bring Your A-Game
If you thought women’s soccer could get dirty, wait for the ruthlessness of Black Friday shoppers.
“People get crazy,” warns Noble. “People argue over things like who got something first, cutting in line, just dumb things. Mostly people argue over if there is one thing left.”
Contact the reporter at lauren.gambino@asu.edu
Loading ...
{ 2 trackbacks }
{ 0 comments… add one now }