With Black Friday weeks away, I'm wondering what retailers will offer free promotional items for early shoppers. Yes, you read right...FREE promotional items. These aren't free with a purchase (although you'll find many of those on Black Friday, too) and these aren't free drawings...you may find a few of those that morning. In the last ten years, some retailers have started the tradition of giving free items to the first 50, 100 or even 500 people through the door. Many retailers offer promotions without really telling how many.
So, if you're looking for completely free items on Black Friday, here's a heads up on stores that have made freebies part of their promotional plans on that all-important day:
1. Sears has made a tradition of offering $10 gift cards to the first 50 shoppers at every Sears store. Quite honestly, I can't remember if this was part of last year's sales. I do know that Sears is not one of the greatest Black Friday sales...it's secondary on most lists. So, if you don't need to go to Wal-Mart, your chances of scoring one of these cards is actually good.
2. J.C. Penney gives away Disney miniature snowglobes. And they give away a lot of these. I've gotton one as late as 11 a.m. These are really cute and, if you do it every year, you can accumulate quite a collection. Plus, every shopper gets one, so your children can also receive snowglobes that you can quickly hide to use a great stocking stuffer.
3. Big Lots often gives out gifts tot he first 50 or so customers on both Thanksgving and then again on Black Friday. These are usually valued at $10-20 and can make nice presents. Last year, I seem to recall getting a weather radio one morning and a watch the next. Big Lots is a big draw, and the stores open around 6 a.m. I think you can make a quick run to Walmart and still make it to Big Lots for the free gift.
Now, these are just three..so please feel free to add do this list. And, since this is based on last year's ads, there's no guarantee that these same offers will be available Black Friday 2010. Just wanted to give you a heads up.
Guys and dolls...the countdown continues...just about four weeks!
recommend
Facebook
Twitter
bookmark 
print
Comments: 27
Old Navy gave away video games...I think it was Lego Star Wars or something. There were hundreds and hundreds of people in line at our Old Navy (both, since I did check both).
One year as I gave tthe snowglobes out away as was okay...untill for some reason the crowd at the door ran at me full force grabbing them like they were 100 dollar bills...I backed away quickly! LOL ;-)
Great post Amanda
I need an icon like yours. I am getting really hateful these days. LOL My husband said he can't wait till I have surgery. LOL
The icon is a pin & it is sooo me!
I actually like working on Black friday, it is fun to see the people shopping & see what they pick up. and most everyone wishes each other Merry Christmas - which is nice
.... and have your boxing gloves on to beat the other women off the item you want. LOL I swear people are evil on Black Friday. LOL
We did get a bag at Target. I'm not sure how many they gave out, but it was a bunch, because we were pretty far back in line (they opened an hour after Old Navy and Sears, and there were already people waiting when we drove by 30 minutes before Old Navy opened)) and still got one. I think they gave them to everyone that was in line at our location.