Retailers are pushing the start time of their Black Friday specials earlier and earlier. Some retailers, including Wal-Mart, will post their specials for online shoppers starting Thanksgiving Day! Given the crowds I saw in my local Best Buy and Costco today, I'd say holiday shopping is off to a good clip. But most of the people I watched were checking prices, reading the packaging and otherwise not making their purchases. Smart. Wait just a day or two and watch those prices drop significantly.
(Read the USA Today article on Black Friday moving up!)
One clerk in Best Buy advised me to return on Friday for a particular gadget I'm eyeing for my husband. "We're going to be open at 5:00 a.m. and the price will be much, much lower", he said. I'm not comfortable with the likely mob-scene they'll have at that hour, so I'm much more likely to look for my savings with online shopping sites.
Make sure your holiday shopping goes well by following the holiday online shopping tips released by the National CyberSecurity Alliance (NCSA):
- Check out the reseller (do your research)
- Read return policies
- Know what you're getting (read the fine print)
- Don't fall for a false email or pop-up
- Look for signs a site is safe
- Secure your computer
- Consider how you'll pay (I prefer credit cards!)
- Know the full price and check out incentives
- Keep a paper trail
- Turn off your computer when you've finished shopping
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! And happy, safe and successful online shopping!