Your Guide to Surviving Black Friday

Black Friday has marked the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season since the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1924. The original parade boosted sales the following day and, now, Black Friday attracts throngs of deal-seekers to store fronts looking to score the best money-saving deals of the year.

Many retailers entice bargain-shoppers by offering “one-day-only” discounts, and dedicated consumers camp outside store entrances overnight – sometimes even longer – to be the first in line for “doorbusters” and to ensure that they secure desired purchases before the items sell out. Some retailers offer early-bird specials throughout November and even extend those deals into December. Several stores open their doors on Thanksgiving, while others stick to the Friday tradition. RetailMeNot has compiled a 2017 Black Friday store hours directory, so you can check the hours for your favorite stores once you recover from your turkey coma.

Many shoppers opt for Cyber Monday over Black Friday, ordering holiday gifts online. However, if you can’t resist a good sale and are willing to battle the crowds at the nearest mall, Mercury Insurance offers these tips to help you get through Black Friday unscathed:

• Patience is a virtue. Practice patience while driving and parking. Pedestrians and drivers may be distracted so remain vigilant. Black Friday can create stress for shoppers that may lead to altercations over parking spots, bargains and even shopping carts. Take a breath and remember, it’s not worth it to scuffle over a discounted toaster oven.
• Give yourself extra time to get where you’re going. Traffic increases around the holiday season, and Black Friday congestion is not uncommon. Plan ahead and give yourself extra time, so you’re not late.
• Keep your money close. Guard purses and wallets close to your body. It’s also a good idea to avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
• Don’t buy more than you can safely carry. Plan ahead – bring a friend or ask store employees for help carrying purchases to your vehicle.
• Store purchases in a plain, unmarked bag when possible. Thieves are often on the lookout for “high value” bags.
• Watch your bags when eating at mall food courts or using the restroom.
• Be aware of the people around you as well as your surroundings. Stay alert and make sure no one follows you to your vehicle. Park in well-lit areas in plain sight of security cameras, preferably as close to store entrances as you can.
• Don't leave bags in plain sight in your vehicle. Lock purchases in the trunk if you’re making multiple stops. Consider bringing a blanket to cover your bags if you drive a hatchback, SUV or need to put them in the back seat.

Parking lots will be overcrowded, and fender-benders can still occur despite your best efforts. If you do get into an accident, here are a few tips that will help with the claim process.

• Exchange information. This includes names, addresses, phone numbers, driver’s license information and insurance policy details. It’s a good idea to take photos of these documents, because your insurance company will probably ask for them.
• Take photos of the accident scene, damages to all vehicles involved and be sure to capture the other vehicle’s license plate number.
• Collect witness information and contact details.
• Call the police, if needed. Whether this step is necessary depends on the extent of the damage or injuries, as well as where the accident occurred. If the other driver flees, don’t make an attempt to chase them – file a police report so there’s an official record of the incident.
• Contact your insurer. Report the incident and any damages to your insurance company as soon as possible. Mercury Insurance customers can file claims 24/7 at (800) 503-3724.

It’s a good idea to add gifts to your home inventory once you’re home. Keep any receipts so you have a record of the purchases in the event of an unanticipated loss (e.g., fire, theft or any 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!

Randy Petro

Mercury Insurance