One interesting byproduct of the stumbling economy is the pressure on retailers to provide better deals. Black Friday has traditionally been synonymous with having the best sales of the year, and this year aims to be a party of frugality as stores slash prices and do midnight openings in an attempt to unload inventory. Here are 5 places to find the best bargains of Black Friday:
1. Amazon
The all-purpose store is one of the largest distributors on the internet, with deals ranging on everything from electronics to food. As an internet company, Amazon has the advantage of being able to start its Black Friday on Thanksgiving, giving it an extra day on local competition as well as internet stores waiting for Cyber Monday. As a result, bargain hunters would be wise to do the same before stock on popular items run out. Another distinct advantage that Amazon has year round is the lack of sales tax for residents of 45 of the 50 states. The company is only legally obligated to charge tax on items where its offices, factories and subsidiaries are located, meaning only New York, North Dakota, Washington, Kansas and Kentucky are subject to sales tax. This could amount to a superior bargain for big ticket items, especially when compounded by the Black Friday discount.
2. Twitter
Sometimes, the best bargain is the one that doesn’t require you to wake up before the cock’s crow, stand in line for five hours, and then play tackle football with pregnant women as you scramble the aisles for the big sale. Sometimes the best deals are the ones that are the most difficult to find. While most of the community is lined up at the big chain store, you can quickly find great deals with no hassle by using aggregate social media sites like Twitter. Combine hashtags such as #BlackFriday with the name of your city and find great bargains in your area, or stick with traditional hashtags like #coupons and #savings.
3. Mobile Apps
Another tool every Black Friday shopper should have in his belt are Black Friday apps. Rather than have to hunt through the endless sea of coupons and fliers for your white whale, many companies have released apps such as SaleLocator and DealTaker that will pinpoint sales in your area and send them to your mobile device for future harpooning. The locator utilizes your mobile device’s GPS to find where you are and the deals in your area. You can see detailed sale information such as description, address, and end of sale dates. Other functions allow you to sort by product and even display the store on a map to show the best route from your location.
4. Big Retail Stores
The big retailers have all unveiled their Black Friday ads, which can be viewed at their respective websites. Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Target, and Toys ‘R’ Us will likely be swamped by customers looking for the best deal. Therefore if the item you wish to purchase is in limited supply, you should head down to the store early and get in line. Be sure to check the opening times for your nearby store while checking the ad listings online. This year many stores like Target are doing midnight openings, and it would be a cruel joke to wake up early in the morning only to find out the store has already been sacked.
5. Newegg
For bargains on electronic bundles, Newegg is one of the premier sites on the web. Discounts are typically huge for customers who buy multiple related items. Like Amazon, Newegg reaps the benefits of being an online distributor, charging no sales tax to all states with the exception of California, New Jersey, and Tennessee.
Jackie Wilson writes for PublicLiabilityInsurance.org and covers a wide range of business topics including public and employers liability quotes.