WEE Gather Together in Thanksgiving for November 26,2015

[Demeter]

4. Where to get free stuff on Thanksgiving and Black Friday

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/how-to-score-free-stuff-on-thanksgiving-and-black-friday-2014-11-26

On Thanksgiving and Black Friday, savvy shoppers can score plenty of freebies while they’re out shopping.

Many retailers are dangling gifts in front of consumers that range from $100 gift cards to goodies for your pet. “These are a marketing tactic to get you in the store,” explains deal expert Mark LoCastro, a spokesperson for lifestyle site LittleThings.com. “They’re banking on you buying more stuff while in there.”

Furthermore, it’s a tactic that retailers use to lure you away from their competitors. “Shoppers love grabbing a great bargain, so the possibility of getting something free can make one store’s sale more attractive than a competitor’s,” explains Matthew Ong, a retail analyst with NerdWallet.com.

But usually, of course, there’s a catch, says LoCastro: Sometimes you have to be a member of a rewards program, be one of the early birds that gets in line first (this makes sense, as 70% of a shopper’s Black Friday spending is done at the first two stores they go to, according to a MasterCard survey) or buy something to get these free items.

Still, a freebie can be tempting — and for some people, they’re worth it even with the catches. Here are Black Friday freebies—- for pet owners, outdoorsmen, fitness buffs, fashionistas, home decor aficionados and bookworms — shoppers may want to consider:

1. For the fashionista
   
   As they did last year, department store Belk has one of the best giveaways: To the first 250 people to enter the store, the retailer will give away a total of $1 million worth of gift cards (values are $5 to $1,000 with one $1,000 winner per store) starting on Thanksgiving at 6 pm.
   
   J.C. Penney, which opens at 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving, is offering coupons at the door (while supplies last) -- for $10 off a $10+ purchase, $100 off a $100+ purchase and a few $500 off any $500+ purchase -- plus a chance to win one of 10 $10,000 cash prizes.
   
   K-Mart is giving the first 100 shoppers in its stores (it opens at 7 p.m. on Thursday) a free goodie bag while supplies last.
   
   
2. For pet owners
   
   If you feel like bringing Fido along for some early morning Black Friday fun, you may want to consider a trip to PetSmart , which is giving the first 100 customers through its doors a free movie rental; the store opens at 7 a.m. on Black Friday. Meanwhile, Petco’s deal is a little less appealing, in that it requires you to buy something and present your Pals Rewards loyalty card when you do, but then, you can get antlers for your dog or a Grinch headpiece for your cat.
   
   
3. For the outdoorsman
   
   The first 600 people in line on Black Friday at outdoor retailer Cabela’s are eligible to win prizes like gift cards up to $100, a smoker or a bolt-action rifle. The catch: You may need to get there super early (the doorbusters begin at 5 a.m.) to score one of the prizes and even then you’re not guaranteed to get one.
   
   Gander Mountain, which opens at 5 a.m. on Black Friday, is giving the first 100 customers through the door either a freebie (they don’t specify what this is yet) or a 50% off coupon, plus a chance to win a $500 gift card.
   
   
4. For the sports and fitness enthusiast
   
   If your Thanksgiving meal added a few inches to your waistline, you may want to take advantage of the fact that Gold’s Gym is letting consumers come in and work out for free. The “Trim the Fat Friday” promotion is available at participating locations, so check with your local gym before donning those running shoes.
   
   Sports Authority, which opens its doors at 6 p.m. on Thursday, will give away a $15 gift card to the first 80 people in line.
   
   
5. For the bookworm
   
   Half Price Books is offering the first 100 people in line at its stores (doors open at 9 a.m., so get there ahead of time) a free tote bag and a $5 gift card. Plus, one tote bag will have a $100 gift card in it. Shoppers also get 20% off all day on Friday.
   
   
6. For the home decor aficionado
   
   On Black Friday (doors open at 7 a.m.) and throughout the weekend, Cost Plus World Market will be giving away a “Downton Abbey” teacup to the first 100 customers in its stores; they will also have a “Downton Abbey” tote bag available to those who spend $20 or more.
   
   The first 21 customers in each Michaels store will get free gift cards worth either $5 (20 cards per store have that amount on them) or $20 (one card per store). Michaels opens at 7 a.m. on Black Friday.