Today is Black Friday — the BIGGEST shopping day of the year. I’ve scoured the ‘net to find you the best deals for you to get a bang for your buck.
Some shoppers enjoy the crowds, lines around the block, limited parking and maybe even fighting for “the last one on the shelf,” but if you’re anything like me you prefer the ease of online shopping.
TheRealReal.com is a destination for women who love Chanel, Prada, YSL and other luxury designers but don’t want to break the bank or drive themselves crazy at frenetic sales. Their team of stylists constantly comb the closets of very fashionable women. That’s how The RealReal provides insider access to the world’s finest previously-owned jewelry, accessories, and clothing–from Hermes and Hervé Léger to Balenciaga and Burberry at up to 90 percent off retail price. Using discount code 20OFF from 10am EST to 11:59pm PST on Black Friday, enjoy 20% off select merchandise.
Devotees of the Bond Fragrance line will want to take advantage of the opportunity to buy any two of Bond No. 9’s wide array of signature fragrances including best-sellers The scent of Peace and Chez Bond, and receive a select Bond fragrance free offer at Fontainebleau in Miami. And luckily you don’t have to be in the Miami Beach area to take advantage of this fantastic deal. Just call IDAandHARRY directly at 305-674-4781 and the Fontainebleau will generously ship the perfume for free.
Shop at the Gap and receive up to 60% off the entire store from Wednesday, November 23rd to Sunday, November 27th. Promotion also includes: $19 women’s jeans & sweaters (select styles) and $15 GapKids and babyGap Pro-Fleece Gap Arch Hoodies on Friday, November 25th until noon. $10 men’s & women’s long-sleeved T’s (select styles) and 60% off GapKids Graphic T’s on Saturday, November 26th and Sunday, November 27th. To find a retailer, please visit: www.gap.com
ENJOY, BUT DON’T BREAK THE BANK!
Here are some financially savvy tips from John Tschohl, author of The Customer is Boss, offers these suggestions to make Black Friday a little bit more manageable:
· Know exactly what you want, because the best deals are in very limited supply, which is why you should never enter a store and just be “window shopping.” Have a detailed list of everything you want to get. To save valuable time, make sure you know ahead of time the differences in models, if you need to purchase any add-ons or accessories and always have a backup store if your first stop runs out.
· Getting online is not enough. While many shoppers will find some incredible deals online, many retailers are offering even more special discounts to those consumers who follow them via social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. Make sure you’re following all the stores you plan to visit.
· Times are changing. It used to be 6am, 4am, and then Midnight, and now we’re seeing more stores opening Thanksgiving night. Don’t only know what time your favorite stores are open, but those blowout prices on hot-ticket items are sometimes only good during certain times. Walmart, for example, might open at 10pm, but the big midnight madness deals on electronics don’t start for another two hours.
· Don’t go it alone. The competition will be fierce, so take the team approach. Shop with a spouse or friend. While you tackle one area of the store, your shopping companion can hit a different department within the store.
· If you don’t get the deals you want on Black Friday, wait. Retailers usually run special sales the first two weeks of December. Prices generally go up closer to Christmas for those who wait until the last minute. If you’re eyeing something for yourself, many retailers also run deeply discounted after Christmas sales to reduce their inventories.
