Everything you need to know about Black Friday

November 26, 2010 is, as avid shoppers know, Black Friday - the traditional day on which retailers offer amazing sales to people still full after their Thanksgiving celebrations. Although it has a relatively short history, Black Friday demands a set of skills that most shoppers do not have. To learn advice and strategies about the craziest retail day of the year, read on.

The History

This term for the day following Thanksgiving is at least as old as 1966, and shoppers since that time have been using their Thanksgiving vacation to mob outlets, departments stores, and other retailers for highly discounted goods.Although there is debate about the origins of the name, many consider the first day of the holiday shopping season to the be the day on which retailers finally get themselves out of the red into the black, or make a profit.

Advice for new shoppers

Retailers' advertisements for discounted items may gloss over just how cutthroat the event can actually become. Considering that many stores open in the wee hours to accommodate eager customers, it's good to bear in mind that the rules are different on this one day of the year. Getting to stores early to beat the lines - and in this case, "early" can mean four or five in the morning - is a good idea, especially for new shoppers. A word of caution, however: in a few instances, crowds have become so excited about getting into the store first, to get at limited discounted items, that they have developed mob-like strength and lack of awareness. In some instances, people have been hurt or killed over video games and flat-screen TVs. Remember that no product is more important than someone's life, and strive to read the mood of the crowd at all times, especially before opening.

Another word of advice: although the swarm of people planning on shopping on Black Friday is undeniable, it is also possible to find great deals and discounts online. For those who can't make it to the stores physically, or are wary of the crowds, shopping through the internet can be just as rewarding.

Strategies for finding deals

With care and a savvy eye, many shoppers can get the deals they're dreaming of by pursuing a few different shopping strategies. Checking the internet before shopping, for example, can help you find deals rather than search for them in the store. Knowing beforehand what you want, and how much it is retailing for, can streamline your Black Friday approach, as well as make the day less of a headache for shoppers who aren't there for the thrill of the chase. Although some retailers prohibit or try to hide these pre-Friday tips, browsing your search engine of choice can still reap you a little more information than what you would have gone with.

Another strategy to finding good deals is just waiting. Just as Black Friday is known for its crowd, Cyber Monday is known as the day on which shoppers who were too busy over the holiday weekend to shop in person shop online at home. Bearing these tips and strategies in mind, even a newbie can have some shopping success.