Our Canadian Thanksgiving has ended, but the U.S. Thanksgiving is just around the corner. US Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November and we all know what follows after it! Black Friday!
With the Canadian dollar veering closely at par with the US dollar, this is a great time to shop. So, strap on your seatbelts and get ready to drive across the border for Black Friday deals!
Before you go, check out these tips for Black Friday shopping.
1. View store Ads in advance
As Canadians we likely won't receive US retail ads or print materials sent to our house. However, many retailers have online ads available posted in their website.
Check out each store you are interested in going to and view their flyers in advance. Retailers would normally have deals posted on their site days before Black Friday giving you the advantage to compare prices.
2. Check outlet mall websites
Yes, check the outlet mall websites for deals. Outlet malls like Premium outlets have deals listed on their site. Some are even specially geared towards Canadian shoppers so make sure to check them out.
3. Research, Research, Research
Research should be done in advance when buying big ticket items (i.e computers, tvs) to ensure you are getting a good deal. Online reviews on products can be found either on the retailer's website or sites like amazon, pricegrabber, or ebay. Realizing you have a bad product after driving so far can be a disappointing experience. Doing research in advance can arm you with the knowledge to guide your decision in buying a good product.
4. Print the ads
Going from store to store can be exhausting. Printing the ads off the retailers or the mall's website can be helpful when planning your day of bargain shopping. Planning your day accordingly can help you manage your time and your energy as you go through the day.
5. Gift receipts
Most people shop for holiday gifts on Black Friday. Of course, we all know this is a great time to buy for loved ones. However, ensure that you ask for gift receipts. That way you can avoid any hassles of returning or exchanging the product if necessary.
6. Stack up on points
If you have a credit card that is attached to a point system like Air Miles or Aeroplan, purchasing Black Friday deals using these credit cards can easily earn points faster. In addition, points cards like Air Miles, offer deals on bonus points when you purchase from specific stores. Not only will you get
great deals, but you're also accumulating points for free items later on.
7. Plan the amount of money you can spend
Although it is tempting to buy anything on sale it wouldn't help if you rack up credit card debt after Black Friday shopping. If you are unable to pay off the credit card quick enough, the money you saved from the sale may not be worth it after the credit card interest.
8. Check the Canada Border Services Agency for daily limitations
Before you go cross border shopping, make sure to check with the Canada Border Service Agency. There are limits on the amount of goods purchased that can be brought back into Canada that are exempt from taxes. Normally, a 24 hour stay entitles you to maximum of $50 of pucrhased goods and/or gifts. The longer you stay, the higher the maximum. This information could change so checking with the Canada Border Service Agency is recommended.
9. Buy online
If you have no way of driving across the border for Black Friday, don't worry. US Retailers always offer online Black Friday deals. Their online store is open 24 hours, so you may be able to snag a great deal before anyone else does in-store. Signing up for email updates for these online deals can also help you
with your shopping.
Research and planning are key to Black Friday shopping especially if you are driving from afar. Keeping these ideas in mind will allow you to have a stress-free and successful shopping experience.
US Thanksgiving 2011 is November 24. Have fun and hope you snag the best deals out there!
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