AboutLinsey Shupe Expertise If you are not sure where to find an item online, or you are looking for the best bargain I can help you.
I can usually help with gift buying as well.
Experience I have worked as a professional shopper and gift buyer. I often search for specialty items for customers.
Expert: Linsey Shupe Date: 11/8/2007 Subject: Could you give me some tips for shopping on Black Friday?
Question QUESTION: Hi, my name is Seong Cheon and I'm a reporter of a magazine called Jayplay. (www.kansan.com/jayplay)
I'd like to ask you few questions about tips on Thanksgiving days shopping (Black Friday).
Could you give me some tips on shopping on Black Friday? You seem like a perfect expert on shopping. I would really appreciate if you could provide me valuable shopping tips for the holiday.
Thank you very much and I really hope to hear from you!
Sincerely,
Seong Cheon
Reporter of Jayplay at the University of Kansas
sbcheon@ku.edu
ANSWER: Dear Seong Cheon,
Thank you for writing. "Black Friday", as you might know is the busiest retail shopping day in the year. Depending on your dedication to this celebrated day you can devise various strategies for optimal shopping success. There are few things I recommend. Like any good shopper you should do your research. Many large retailers print sale previews, or online ads featuring their best sales. It is wise to make a list of “must-haves”. Make a metal note of where these items are located in your favorite store. In addition to a “must-have” list you can note the other items you would like, but do not need. When checking these items online or in the store make sure you are always comparison shopping. Retailers will mix regular priced items, or even over priced items among the bargains. Shoppers tend to be riding high on the adrenaline of a good buy and residual effects of their turkey feast and can fall victims to an unwise purchase. I highly recommend waking up as early as possible and taking advantage of the “early bird” specials. Get in, get out, and get breakfast; that is my motto! Be aware that the “early bird” specials tend to be the best, but that the most vicious shoppers emerge for what I call the “pre-dawn running of the bulls”. Wear good shoes, and make sure you stretch. If there is a feeding frenzy walk away, refer to your handy list, and move on to your next item. A bargain is not worth bad Karma.
If all of this seems a bit much know that the Monday that follows “Black Friday” is affectionately called “Cyber Monday”. It is the official start to the online shopping holiday season. Many online retailers offer free shipping, and hot deals. I prefer this to shopping in stores. A click of the mouse is easier than running, and more times than not they have the size and color of what ever I am looking for.
Good luck to you!
-Linsey
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QUESTION: Thank you very much for these tips you provided. It was really really helpful to me. I am also writing about Christmas shopping tips. I thinkt these tips you provided me could also apply to most Christmas shopping tips. But I'd like to ask you few more tips about Christmas shopping especially about online Chrismas shopping tips. Could you provide maybe one or two important thing about Christmas online shopping tips as an expert?
Thank you very very much!!
Sincerely,
Seong Cheon
Answer Dear Seong Cheon,
Thank you for writing back. This time of year is a busy one for many people, and gas prices are up. Thank goodness there is online shopping. Monday is the busiest online shopping day of the year. This does not mean that this will be the only day to find a deal. Find the free shipping deals, and be aware of when they end, what items are disqualified from free or discounted shipping, and how much you must spend to qualify. Utilize "wish lists" to gather items for as many people as you can. A site like www.overstock.com has discounted shipping on every item, everyday. They carry everything from DVDs to luxurious bedding, all at a discounted price. They even carry furniture and jewelry!
For a unique and fun gift look to give something delicious this year. Peet's Coffee and Tea is one of my favorite companies. They are a coffee roasting company based in the Bay Area. They roast to order, and the coffee is roasted the day it is shipped! All the coffee and Cocoa is Kosher!. Their tea is the finest around. On occasion they feature shipping discounts. I can assure you that paying shipping is not the worst thing in the world when it comes to this product. The lucky folks that get this product as a gift will be thankful for sure.
If you are going to brave the malls use the Internet to figure out what you want to get, and always call ahead, get the persons name that helped you, and ask them to put the item aside. Why waste time?
