Best Friday-After-Thanksgiving Sales in Flagstaff

Flagstaff offers shopping choices at smaller, locally owned shops as well as big box companies. Black Friday focuses more on the conglomerates, so these tips are aimed at you shoppers who plan to get up waaaaay before the crack of dawn to make sure you get a place in line, whether you choose the east side of Flagstaff or the west side.

Get there early. If you want to beat the throngs of Black Friday consumers, this is a tip that doesn’t even need to be listed in the Top Ten.

1. Make it an event. Set your alarm even earlier than necessary so you can go out for breakfast before the shopping festivities. Today might be just the day to reward yourself in advance for all the money you’ll save. Splurge. Indulge in a gooey pastry with sinfully delicious cup of cappuccino. You’ll work off the calories as you go from one after thanksgiving sale to another.

2. Plan ahead. Make yourself a list or a map of the stores you want to hit and in which order. You will save time and gas if you go to stores situated near each other before heading out to sales at locations farther away. Once you reach your destination, make a beeline for the merchandise that will probably sell out first. High end booty can be paid for and stored in your trunk if you want to go back for more items.

3. Make a list. Know ahead of time what you’re looking for. This will cut down on frustration spent in crowds. A list will also help you to stay focused.

4. Know what your budget is and stick to it. If you use your budget as a guideline (and stick to it!) you will have a better chance of actually going home with some real deals. Be realistic. Give yourself some wiggle room so you don’t take a lot of guilt home if you do overspend just a little. (I've found that if I tell myself ahead of time what my limit is for a particular item, more times than not, I do find something within that range!)

5. Call stores a few days before. Now this is a big SOMETIMES, but sometimes a store will honor a sale price before the actual sale if you ask. The worse that can happen is that you’ll be told “no.”