stina629

1. Ask not what you can do to get a TV...actually wait, yeah, ask because this is ridiculous. Also, where's Waldo? 2. What the customers don't know is that the DVD doorbusters are in the salad case. 3. It's 3 am I must be lonely.

Thanks Brad! Anyone have a guess for when Michaels and Joann's ads will come out? Gonna need a lot of yarn this year!

Hi guys! Ever since I started heavily participating in Black Friday, I have been in my hometown. I know all the ins and outs of which Target to go to and where to park and what fast food restaurants are open, when to go to the next town over, who has the better stock, etc. This year, I am anticipating possibly being out-of-town visiting my in-laws. I know that my sisters-in-law are pretty into Black Friday, but it's mainly for toys for their kids, whereas I'm usually shopping for adults. Does anyone have any advice for tackling Black Friday in an entirely new place? I know that the deals will be the same across the country, but I am definitely nervous about being in an area I am not familiar with. Thanks in advance!

I love the coffee mug/traveler mug idea, as well as the reusable shopping bags. What about some little knick-knacks to pass the time in line? I tend to be on my phone but then it drains the battery and I can't use it to compare prices if I need to. Perhaps black friday themed mad-libs or those magnetic tic-tac-toe boards or something? I also really like the binder idea. I end up shoving a whole bunch of papers in my purse but then I struggle to get them out and they fall all over the place and people look at me weird...

I'm not sure it would really affect it, though, because store marketing isn't really linked to whether or not there is an election. Business goes on as usual for them so I think we'll see them right around the same time. Also, for the people saying that whoever is elected will affect this Black Friday, remember they won't be inaugurated until January. :)

As has been reported with some other stores, Lowe's has some of their BF stuff on sale already in the store. Notably, the 100-ct Christmas lights for $1.99. Just thought I would let you guys know!!

Hello all! I'm looking to get some MLB/NFL gear for my Dad this year, which leads me to wonder...does anyone have any experience with BF or BF week deals at places like MLBshop.com and NFLshop.com? I remember YEARS ago NFLshop had some deals on Thanksgiving day, but I'm wondering if there is some updated information out there. Thanks guys! Happy BF week!! -Christina

Got mine yesterday! Well, probably a day or two before but I hadn't checked the mail. And thanks for the extra goodies!!!

I've been wondering about this too because I usually don't do anything Wal-Mart on BF, but this year Target's ad isn't as great so there are a few things I'm thinking of getting online with then. Good to know that it isn't always a sure thing with them once it's ordered. What about availability of items once the sale goes live online? If I want to get on there as soon as it starts it will be 3 am - not about to do that if things don't start picking up until later.

I'm wondering whether to get the Kindle 6" during Amazon's current sale ($20 off). Does anyone have any experience with Kindle prices on Black Friday? I don't want to buy it now only to have it drop more on BF. Advice??

I want to buy a Kindle e-reader for my sister, who always borrows mine (I have one from 2010 that is still going strong). I don't think she would want the tablet, just an e-reader. Anyone know when the best time to buy these is and the most cost effective option?

Hi guys! After a super busy past few months as a middle school teacher, I'm super glad to be starting up my Black Friday research with GottaDeal!! Can't wait for the holiday season and some well deserved time off. 1. Approximately how many years have you been shopping on Black Friday? This will be my 6th year shopping on Black Friday. I started in 2009 simply checking out the local outlets. The next year I expanded to Target, and after that, I was hooked! 2. Do you plan to spend more, less or the same amount of money during Black Friday week this year? I'm not really sure at this point. If I had to guess I would say slightly less, because my holiday budget overall is a bit less this year. 3. Do you plan on shopping online during Black Friday week this year? YES!!! I have for the past few years and it ended up working out really well. Most notably, I found a nice luggage set from Kohls online for $40 for my sister, who subsequently used it on a trip to Europe. 4. How many people do you plan on shopping with on Black Friday this year? I almost always shop alone, since I am usually buying for my husband and all of my local family members. However, I am going to try to rope some coworkers into coming with me this year, so hopefully it'll be me and a friend or two. 5. If you could make stores change one thing about Black Friday besides opening times, what would it be? I would like more concise store maps. For example, Target has a map, but it doesn't always include all doorbusters and it is sometimes confusing to read. Also, a coffee stand wouldn't be a bad idea....... Again, glad to have some time to be on GottaDeal and start my research!

Hi guys! This has probably been a topic already but I can't find it. I've always done brick and mortar on Black Friday but I'm looking to get my husband a laptop this year. Some of the ones I'm looking into are Thursday doorbusters, and since we'll be enroute from one dinner to another at that time, I don't think I'll be able to get to the stores until later on. So my questions are: How do we know which items and doorbusters will be offered online? I know some items are listed store or online only, but the majority aren't. Additionally, are laptops huge ticket items that fly off the shelves like TVs? I remember reading that we'll get the timing details of online BF sales about a week out, so will this include what will be online and what won't? Thanks so much guys!!

YAY!! thanks Brad!!! can't wait to wear it!

1. It depends because I just started a new job so my budget is wonky, but I'm anticipating somewhere between $100-$300. Not a lot because I'm usually more interested in the smaller stuff. 2. I usually hit Target first later on Thanksgiving night, and when it's all said and done I make it to Kmart, Michaels, Best Buy, and possibly a few others by the end of Saturday. 3. I'm not really sure. I really like the convenience of online but the fun of it is going to the store and having the gifts in your hands and talking to people in line and etc. If I decide to get a laptop for my husband I'll probably try to get that online. So I guess a little more than last year.

For my last entry I found these while feeding my boot obsession: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Madden-Girl-Gizmoo-Brown-Lace-Up-Mid-Calf-Lined-Combat-Boots-w-Back-Zip-Sz-11-/311163886635?pt=US_Women_s_Shoes&hash=item4872d01c2b Combat boots are in this year and would be a great gift for fashionistas!!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/171017338438?redirect=mobile I'm in the market for some new business casual stuff (as is my sister), so several of these would be cute for me as well as good gifts for her!!

Always! whether it's something I've identified through the ads that I like, or a duplicate of something I planned on only buying for someone else that I decide I just can't pass up, I always end up with something. My very first Black Friday purchase was actually a beautiful deep blue short trench coat for well below retail price, which I still wear today!

As my second entry I found this while looking through suggested Christmas decor. I think these would make a cute gift for any Christmas lover!! Simple yet artfully made. http://www.ebay.com/itm/390967896982?redirect=mobile

I think it worked on my phone, but I'm planning on Target here in Williamsburg, VA!

I kind of think a cool idea for a contest would be to ask people how they got into Black Friday shopping. I'm interested to read about why someone decided to go for the first time, what their first experiences were like, and what keeps them going back each year.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/171496160414?redirect=mobile VHS to DVD Converter I hope the link works since I'm on my mobile but this is something I've been eyeing for awhile. My mom has TONS of VHS home videos of my sister and I, and I've been thinking of getting it and converting all of them for her. Although this wouldn't be the actual gift, it would create it!

1. Target 2. Both-ish - later on Thanksgiving and rolling over into Black Friday 3. Thursday 6 pm

For the past several years, I have used GottaDeal.com for ALL of my Black Friday and year round sale planning. The resources GottaDeal posts specifically for their readers and users are extremely valuable to those of us wishing to save hundreds (and sometimes thousands) of dollars during the holiday season especially. For the working and sometimes struggling American, it is refreshing to have someone out there looking to SAVE you money, not TAKE your money. Brad and his team work tirelessly to bring American shoppers the best deals, allowing us to keep more money in our pockets while still surprising our families and friends with the gifts that they want and deserve. Thank you Brad and GottaDeal.com. What you give us is PRICELESS.

Hi guys! Some really great tips here. Here's my two cents: Unlike a lot of people on here, I am a lone Black Friday shopper. Nobody in my family enjoys it, so for the past five years or so I've been on my own. I have developed a process and I think it works really well for someone who is shopping alone or separate from their group. First I make a priority list, as most people are saying, which entails deciding what stores I would like to go to based on which items are most important, and in which order. Once I figure out where I want to go first, I do all the research I can on that store. For example, my first stop is usually Target. They usually have a map of where all of the doorbusters and hot ticket items will be, as they are usually not in their regular spot. As most of you already probably know, it's common to find toasters in the toy section and other items random places around the store. I found researching the map and knowing it really well is the Best strategy for somebody shopping alone. My second piece of advice would be to not underestimate the value of the smaller items. For example, one of the things I was looking for last year was a Back to the Future DVD set at Target. I figured there would be plenty there, since people were looking for TVs and iPads and other technology. It turns out I got the last Back to the Future DVD set of them all. My point is, if you're shopping by yourself, do your best to get all of your research done, even on the smaller things, so that you're able to hustle on the day of. Happy one month-ish until Black Friday!!!