Every year people ask me if I am going out and shopping on Black Friday. They look at my job and assume I am a huge bargain hunter and deal finder. They then assume I must be one of the first to hit the stores to shop Black Friday. Every year I surprise people with my answer. My answer is not what they expect to hear. My answer is that I avoid it. I try to NOT shop Black Friday in the stores.

I’ll admit I used to go out and shop Black Friday years ago. That has changed over the last few years. Some friends assume that I don’t shop Black Friday because I am here glued to my keyboard helping all of you find the best deals for the weekend. They are partially right BUT if I actually wanted to get out and shop, I’d find a way. I just don’t want to go out and shop Black Friday. There are lots of other reasons I avoid the whole to shop Black Friday rush.

Shopping Online
Online shopping has blossomed in the last ten years or so. Almost all of the shop Black Friday deals that are available in the stores are also available on their websites. I LOVE being able to shop online and get the hot deals from the comfort of my home. There are even sometimes coupon codes that give further discounts and free shipping. There is no longer a need to leave home and family to get the good to shop Black Friday deals. PinchingYourPennies will help you shop Black Friday online. Check out yesterday’s blog HERE to find out how.

Fighting the Crowds
Every year we see it on the news. The crowds that go out to shop Black Friday are getting bigger and bigger. They are also getting more rude, crazy, selfish, mean and dangerous! Even in my small and normal well behaved town people go just plain nuts. (Check out THIS MESS at my local Wal-Mart a couple of years ago.) Risking your safety for a deal is just plain stupid. If going out to shop Black Friday is risky – don’t do it.

Limited Quantities
It seems more and more of the best deals are limited in quantity. I remember talking to a manager last year who admitted that their large store was given just five of a hugely popular item. Hundreds of people turned out to get it and they had only five to sell. People were very close to rioting in anger. (Once again, dangerous crowds!) If you skip the urge to shop Black Friday around town you can avoid running all over town for items that will be impossible to get.

Overspending is Easy
Retailers count on you overspending and buying more in the frenzy of the shop Black Friday experience. All of the displays with their bright signs motivate shoppers to make impulse purchases. What is the point of saving $30 on that one item if you buy 10 other impulse items while you are there? Retailers are counting on you doing just that as you shop Black Friday.

Mediocre Prices
With the exception of the few big deals at each store, most of the prices are actually very mediocre. This shop Black Friday point ties back into the shopping online point. Many things can be found at better prices online throughout the holiday season. Shop with us at PinchingYourPennies and we’ll help you find the best prices.

Have I convinced you to let PinchingYourPennies help you shop Black Friday online? Watch for more blogs in our shop Black Friday series.