What to expect from a pandemic Black Friday

When one thinks of Black Friday, images of packed stores and lines for doorbusters come to mind. But pandemic protocol should change that.

News 12 Staff

Nov 20, 2020, 8:13 PM

Updated 1,412 days ago

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Black Friday sales and specials will be different this year because of the pandemic.
When one thinks of Black Friday, images of packed stores and lines for doorbusters come to mind. But pandemic protocol should change that.
"The lines are going to be socially distanced, and you're not going to have that mad rush into the store," says Edgar Dworsky, of ConsumerWorld.org. "They're going to count people going in, it's going to be very orderly."
With less Americans doing their holiday shopping in stores, many retailers are changing how they do business.
"The entire month of November has become Black Friday month or Cyber Monday month so to speak, and some of those sales are now spilling over into December,” says Wisebread Executive Editor Janet Alvarez.
The extended online Black Friday experience may change how you make your purchases. In years past, it was often advised to wait until early December for lower prices if you couldn't get a great deal on Black Friday itself. But this year, experts say you might want to grab your discount when you can get it.
Some other tips to keep in mind:
  1. - Plan your shopping list so you can act quickly.
  2. - A price-match guarantee can help you buy with confidence. Some stores and even some credit cards offer them.
  3. - Don’t rule out brick-and-mortar stores - some are offering curbside pickup.
  4. - Consider hidden costs, such as shipping charges.
  5. - Research specific models. A low price on a lousy product is no bargain.