Black Friday can be quite a frustrating shopping experience if you don’t plan accordingly. With all the huge savings and doorbusters that are offered, there will be an abundance of consumers trying to get their hands on the best deals available. More often than not, the ones who fail to plan leave retail stores (or online stores) disappointed and defeated. To give yourself that competitive edge during Black Friday 2009, consider these tips to help you obtain the products that are on the top of your shopping list.
Research deals: Days, or even weeks before November 27th, seek Black Friday ads and deals from prospective stores you plan on visiting. A good resource is to look for sites that have collected several ads from specific retail stores.
Set a budget: Figuring out your spending limit will help you concentrate on must-have items. Oftentimes, general 
consumers are inclined to make hasty purchases solely based on savings and are left with items that collect dust in the corner of a room. Determine a tier system for your desired items and set a budget for each.
Determine stores: Rather than driving all over the place on that Friday morning, make a list of stores that you plan on visiting. Being aware of the location, parking, and hours will also be important knowledge that will make Black Friday go very smoothly. However, if you discover a last-minute deal at another store that you absolutely cannot pass up on, be flexible and adjust accordingly.
Identify hot items: It’s important to be aware of the year’s most-wanted items that consumers may have to go leaps and bounds in order to compete with others. In past years, hot Black Friday products have included GPS devices, digital cameras, and the Tickle Me Elmo toy. For Black Friday 2009, expect blu-ray players, netbooks, and LCD HDTVs to be in high demand.
Plan for the worst: Always have a plan B. Many other consumers will be looking for the same deals and products you desire, so it’s best to have second options for stores and items.
Wake up early: This may possibly be the most important piece of advice. Whether you plan on shopping in-store or online, waking up early gives you the best chances of taking advantage of doorbusters and the season’s hottest items.
Work as a team: Working as a team with friends and family is highly crucial if you’re in a situation where you have to wait in line. This allows you to take restroom breaks, buy food, and nap in the car without losing your spot in line. It’s also effective to have friends and family at other locations to buy items that may be sold out at your present location.
In addition to the tips above, Become.com has a Black Friday page that features Black Friday ads and deals from some of the largest retail stores like Kohl’s, Kmart, Old Navy, and Sears. Be sure to check back regularly, as deals from Office Max, Staples, and many other stores will be added soon.
-John
Personally i’m going to try to avoid the crowds this year and do most of my shopping online.