Pew Pew Laser Blog

Black Friday Shopping Tips.

The annual post-Thanksgiving bacchanalia of commerce is upon us. If you want, there are some great deals to be had. Yes, you'll be getting up early. You didn't have a late night up with your family, did you? Suck it up, and use tryptophan to your advantage. Here are my tips for a successful Black Friday:

• See if your friends want to buddy up with you. If you're married or coupled, it's particularly useful to find another pair of folks, and split up to offload the spouses. The ladies can head in one direction, and the gents in the other for some double-secret handshake holiday shopping.
• Start with a plan. Use the Turkey-day newspaper circulars to identify the "must hit" stores. Or check out "leaked" ads using the internet.
• Based on last year's experiences, Best Buy is a good idea, and Circuit City is a bad idea. Best Buy's stores and staff are well-organized, and highly prepared for large crowds with a single fast moving line. Circuit City was like trying to get on the Dumbo ride at Disneyland, and their computers crashed with the strain of all the shopping. If you must hit Circuit City, be there at opening and get out quick.
• Fred Meyer's has always offered 20% off all video games and accessories. This is your best bet to get that must-have game; unless it's a door-buster deal elsewhere. Freddie's also offers 2 for 1 board games, which is always a good deal. The deals at Fred's ended at 11am last year, so you can hit them rather later in the day.

Alternately, just avoid the whole hassle, stay home in your pajamas and watch a DVD. The husband and I may get through the entire 12 hour Lord of the Rings trilogy in one day. Relaxing.

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