Shopping smarter on Black Friday
For true bargain hunters, Black Friday is the Super Bowl — except we get to play in our big game every year. Like any good coach, though, you need a strategy. You don’t want time (or supplies) to run out — it’s all about prioritizing.
We’ve snagged the opposing team’s playbook (we went through all the ads, coupons and circulars in Thursday’s paper and picked out our favorite offers). So, huddle up and plan your big score.
Electronics
■ Video game consoles continue to be major gets. Target and Best Buy have the Nintendo Switch with the game “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” and a screen protector for $299.99 (reg. $349.99). Kohl’s has it for $319.99 without the game, but you get $90 in Kohl’s Cash.
■ Best Buy, Kohl’s and Belk all have a PS4 bundle, each with games, for $199.99 (reg. $299.99).
■ If you think your recipients care more about what they’re watching their games on, Best Buy is sporting a 70-inch Samsung 4K Smart TV for $549.99 (reg. $899.99). Or get a 58-inch Insignia 4K for $199.99 (reg. $479.99).
Appliances
■ Know someone who needs a new fridge? Sears is dropping
prices on a new Kenmore French door 25.5 cubic feet refrigerator down to $1,099.99 (reg. $2,289.99). It also has a Kenmore washer and dryer for 50% off at $529.99 each when you buy the pair.
■ At Sears Outlet, take 40 to 50% off a variety of appliances, plus an extra 15% off all of them.
■ If you’re not sure what individual item people need, Bed, Bath & Beyond has 25%-off coupons for the whole store starting at 5 p.m. Thursday.
Toys
■ Just looking for something to play around with? Bealls has the Nerf Elite with a built-in video camera and remote-controlled robot Robosapian, each for $29.99 (reg. $79).
■ For the aspiring pilot, grab a 10-inch DX5 drone with streaming video for $29.99 at Ollie’s Bargain Outlet (reg. $89.99). Or for younger kids, pick a 61-piece Bob the Builder Work Yard Mega Bloks set for $12.99 (reg. $39.99).
Outdoors/ Sporting Goods
■ Don’t let loved ones leave firearms lying about. Get $300 off a 50-gun Liberty Gun Safe at Tractor Supply Co. for $1,399.99 (reg. $1,699.99). The store also has a 10-foot fishing Journey Fishing Kayak for $169.99 (reg. $279.99).
■ Dick’s Sporting Goods is taking 25% off the entire store starting Thursday. And Academy Sports is knocking 50% off basketball hoops and all game tables, from ping pong to air hockey.
Tools
■ Does someone’s garage look ill-equipped? Home Depot has a 20-volt six-tool power set from DeWalt, with circular saw, oscillating multi-tool and more, for $299 (reg. $705). Or at Lowe’s, a six-tool Kobalt set for $399 also scores you a sliding compound miter saw free (reg. $269)!
Clothes
■ Get the whole family on the same page with 60% off a matching set of pajamas from JC Penney (reg. $12-$50). Or pick up men’s
Van Heusen Lux Sateen dress shirts for only $19.99 (reg. $50).
■ Cavender’s has $40 to $70 off Ariat boots. Or grab any women’s boots at Shoe Carnival before noon on Friday for $19.98.
Furniture
■ Theoretically, mattresses are supposed to be changed every eight years (according to the mattress industry). Among Rooms to Go’s coupons in its circular is a deal to buy any size Tempur-Pedic
mattress and get a free queen-size Sealy mattress in a box.
■ Mattress Firm is also helping people to sleep with king-for-a-queen or queen-for-a-twin pricing plus a free adjustable base for savings that can total more than $1,000.
■ If someone needs more than just the bed, American Signature Furniture is offering 60 months promotional financing or 20% off the entire store.
Pets
■ Don’t forget the furry family members! Petco has 50% off its Marvel Pet Fans Collection for brand-conscious animals, plus BOGO deals on the entire stock of Instinct Frozen Raw Dog Food and other treats.
Free
■ At Macy’s, a variety of handpicked items, from a slow cooker to watches to clothes to Isaac Mizrahi Loves Sesame Street plush dolls, are free after rebates. You’re reading that correctly. One has to imagine they are hoping you won’t take the time to mail in the rebate coupon (and that you’ll buy other stuff once you’re there and they run out of supplies). But if you were that kind of shopper, you wouldn’t be reading this.
Timing matters
■ For some people, it’s not about what to shop for but when to shop. La-Z-Boy, for example, is taking 30% off for people who get in before 10 a.m. on Friday, which drops to 25% off until noon and then 20% off through Monday.
■ Bass Pro Shops is open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday, but the best deals are 5-11 a.m. Friday.
■ All of Dollar General’s deals are 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Thanksgiving only.
Got your game plan? Now get out there! Have a deal to share? Send it to tfraser@orlandosentinel .com. Want more news about deals? Sign up for the Bargain Hunter newsletter at membership. orlandosentinel.com/ newsletters.