Black Friday Survival Tips

Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving extravaganza, has signified the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season since 1924 when the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was held. Retailers often offer “one-day-only” discounts to lure bargain-shoppers in, who will then camp outside the store’s entrance overnight – and sometimes way longer – to be the first to secure the doorbuster deal. Times are changing, and many retailers now open their doors on Thanksgiving to tempt shoppers to break from their turkey feast and start their shopping season.

Black Friday isn’t the be-all, end-all of shopping that it used to be, as many stores now extend their Black Friday deals through the weekend…and many are available online, too. However, if you can’t resist a good deal, and are willing to battle the crowds at the nearest shopping mall, Mercury Insurance offers these tips to get through Black Friday unscathed:

· Be patient when driving and parking. Other shoppers (pedestrians and drivers) may be distracted so you need to be particularly vigilant. Black Friday can also create a lot of stress for shoppers, which can lead to altercations over bargains, parking places or even shopping carts. So, take a breath and a moment to remember that it’s not worth getting into a scuffle over a discounted coffee maker.

· Allow for extra time to get where you need to be.

· Be aware of your surroundings and the people around you.

· Don’t buy more than you can safely carry. Plan ahead by taking a friend or ask a store employee to help you carry your purchases to your vehicle.

· Be mindful of your money. Carry purses close to your body and keep wallets in front pockets. Additionally, avoid carrying large amounts of cash.

· Keep purchases in a plain, unmarked bag when possible. Thieves or robbers often look for “high value” shopping bags.

· Watch your bags when eating at mall food courts.

· Don’t leave your bags in plain sight in your vehicle. Lock your purchases in the trunk if you’re making multiple stops before you return home. If you drive a hatchback or SUV, bring a blanket to cover your bags.

Parking lots are sure to be extremely crowded, so fender-benders may still occur despite your best efforts. Before filing a claim:

· Exchange information with the other driver. This includes insurance policy numbers, insurer’s phone numbers, names, addresses and phone numbers.

· Take photos of the damage.

· Call the police, if needed. This may not be necessary depending on the extent of the damage or injuries, and where the accident occurred. If the other driver flees the scene, don’t make an attempt to chase them, simply file a police report so there’s an official record of the incident.

· Contact your insurer. Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the incident and any damages. Mercury Insurance customers can file claims 24/7 at (800) 503-3724.

Once you’ve arrived home safely with your purchases, it’s a good idea to add them to your home inventory until you give the gifts. Keep the receipts as well so you have a record of the purchases in the event of an unanticipated loss (e.g., fire, theft or other catastrophe) before the holidays. (And be sure to remove them from your inventory once they leave your possession.)

Be careful this holiday shopping season – it’s a jungle out there!

Debbie Lee
Town & Country Ins