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Your map to Black Friday's buried treasures

By Jessica Heffner

Staff Writer

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Extras

In an economy where everyone is looking to dig out a deal this holiday season, we have your guide to buried treasure this Black Friday.

Web sites

Plug these Web sites into your browser for e-mail alerts on Black Friday deals and news about online-only specials from your favorite stores:

• bfads.net

• dealnews.com

• gottadeal.com

• Black-Friday.net

Store hours

Stores open Thanksgiving include Meijer, Kmart, Walgreens, CVS, Pharmacy, Rite Aid (select locations only), Gander Mountain, Kroger

Friday store opening hours:

4 a.m.: Elder-Beerman, Kohl's, JCPenney, Ink Stop

5 a.m.: Dunham's Sports, Best Buy, Dick's Sporting Goods, HH Gregg, Meijer (doorbuster sales begin), Circuit City, Walmart, Sears Hardware, Macy's, Old Time Pottery, Old Navy, Sam's Club, Sears, Toys R Us

6 a.m.: Rex, Radio Shack, Cincinnati Bell, Target, Shoe Carnival, Bass Pro Shop, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Home Depot, Lowe's, Staples, Jo Ann Fabrics, Michael's, Big Lots, Kmart

7 a.m.: Elder-Beerman Furniture Gallery, Game Crazy, Sears, Office Max, Game Stop, Ulta Beauty

8 a.m.: Value City Furniture, Hancock Fabrics

9 a.m.: IKEA

Deal match-ups

High-Definition TVs:

32-inch: Best deal: Office Depot — Memorex 720p LCD HDTV, $379.99 (online only with free shipping)

Walmart — Emerson LCD HDTV, $388

Best Buy — Dynex 720p LCD HDTV for $399.99

RadioShack — AOC 720p LCD HDTV, $399.99

Circuit City — Toshiba 720p LCD HDTV, $449.99

42-inch: Best Deal: Meijer — GFM 720p Plasma HDTV, $499.99;

Walmart — Polaroid 1080p LCD HDTV, $598

Best Buy — Dynex 720p Plasma HDTV, $599.99

Dell — Sharp 1080p LCD HDTV, $779

50-inch: Best Deal: Walmart — Samsung Plasma HDTV, $798

Circuit City — Samsung 720p Plasma HDTV, $899.99.

Amazon.com — Samsung 720p Plasma HDTV, $949.99 (no tax, free shipping)

GPS devices

TomTom One 125 with 3.5-inch screen: Sears, $99.99; Circuit City, $99.99; Office Max, $99.99; RadioShack, $99.99

Magellan RoadMate 1200 with 3.5-inch screen: Best Deal: Meijer, $89.99; Sears, $99.99; Target, $99.99 (Note: Model on sale at Walmart for $147 is for 4.3-inch screen)

Video games

With the exception of Tom Clancy's Endwar for Xbox 360 and PS3 on sale at Best Buy for $37.99, the best deals on almost all new video games can be found at Amazon.com.

Toys

"High School Musical 3" dolls: Best Deal: Walmart, $5

Target 4-pack: $29.99

Kmart: $7.50

EyeClops Night Vision Goggles: Best Deal: 60 percent off at Toys"R"Us (regular $69.99)

Meijer: $54.99

Hannah Montana doll: Best Deal: Walmart, $5

Walgreens: $9.99

Baby Alive: Best Deal: Meijer: $9.99

Walmart: $10

Bratz dolls: Best Deal: Toys R Us: $9.99

Good tips

The following is a compilation of tips from readers to make the most out of your shopping:

Make a list: Know the exact items you want and search through each ad to see if a store has it. Then add the store and the price to the list.

Carry an over-the-chest purse: This keeps your hands free to shop and minimizes the risk of losing your purse or having it stolen.

Price match: Some stores, like Walmart, will match competitors' prices even on Black Friday as long as you have the ad.

Return policy: If the store lowers the price on an item you already have bought, will they refund the difference? If so, there is no need to wait in line Black Friday. Go to a store, like Target, that will give you a price adjustment on Black Friday items and purchase the item now. Usually you will have to return on Black Friday with receipt and current ad to be refunded the difference.

Get a ticket: If you want a specific doorbuster, plan to be early as most stores hand out tickets for these items. If you don't have one, don't plan on getting it.

Dress comfortably: Wear layers you can easily remove if you get hot and make sure to wear comfortable shoes.

Have the ad: Stores will sell similar items at a not-so-similar price. Be sure what yoe grab matches the ad and it doesn't include hidden fees like rebates or other purchases to receive that price.

Check online: Just about every retailer has special deals and Black Friday price matches on their Web sites. Bfads.net has posted which stores are offering online deals.

Review: Use Amazon.com and About.com to read customer reviews before purchasing anything. Sometimes retailers use doorbusters as a way to unload unpopular merchandise.

Charge it: If you can afford to, many credit card companies will extend manufacturer warranties and the time frame for returns if you put the item on a card.

Walk away: The worst shoppers are the ones who refuse to walk away empty-handed. If a store doesn't have what you want, leave.

If it's not a doorbuster, show up at opening: Sale items like DVDs, video games and apparel are usually well-stocked. Wait until the store opens to show up. You'll more than likely get the item and cut down your time waiting in line.

Map it: Know the store's layout before going in. Some stores like Walmart will sell items in different departments to avoid shopper pile-ups, so make sure to get a special store map on sale day if one is available.

Buddy up: The best shoppers shop in teams. Split lists among at least two people and have a third purloin a cart and wait in a central location. You can cover more ground this way, but still have a cart available to get items to the car.

Bad tips

The following are some unscrupulous practices other shoppers may use Black Friday to watch out for:

Hidden items: Some shoppers will head into the store the day before and hide items. Then, when Black Friday rolls around, they will retrieve the hidden item to buy at the sale price. Popular spots are cleaning supplies aisles and the linens department.

Cart raiding: Shoppers will sometimes work in pairs with one distracting you in conversation while another raids your cart for sale items, so keep your eyes open.

Line rushers: These people stand near the entrance rather than in line and try to rush through the entrance when the doors open. Have a partner, link arms and try to keep up with the people in front of you to avoid being cut off.


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