Before attacking Black Friday sales, try out these tactics

Attention Black Friday shoppers! Do your research, use common sense and pay attention to make your deal-grabbing as good as it can be.

Before heading out in the darkness of the wee hours after gobbling the drumstick and stuffing, first head to your computer to find the real bargains. There are many sites with Black Friday information. A Google search for "Black Friday sales 2009" returned 117 million sites.

One is CheapCheapCheap.com, a site featuring top deals, online coupon codes and safety tips for those lining up for door-buster deals.

"This year it's very different for Black Friday," said Albert Ko, site founder and consumer and retail trend expert. "Everyone is on such a tight budget, and merchants are trying to grab as much of your budget as they can before Black Friday."

In recent years, Ko said, companies sent him cease-and-desist letters for posting sales fliers online before the big shopping day.

"(But) this year I've gotten letters from companies encouraging me to tell people about their Black Friday deals."

Ko said his site will be updated daily through Christmas Day. He plans to post the top 10 deals for netbook computers, GPS devices, video games and televisions this week. The site will post the overall top 25 best bargains late next week, as some of the best deals have yet to be leaked.

If you find yourself in line outside a store early Friday, Ko suggests:

•Don't bring the kids. They get in the way, and it is potentially dangerous for them since they're surrounded by larger people.

•Check the weather forecast. In 2006 Ko stood in a Black Friday downpour and estimated only 2 percent of the shoppers had umbrellas or rain gear. Act like a Boy Scout and be prepared.

•Don't bring a full wallet or purse. Bring just the credit card you plan to use, as pickpockets have a field day in Black Friday crowds.

•Beware of fake vouchers. Most merchants distribute vouchers to those in the front of the line for their best deals. Counterfeiters have caught on, and now are selling fake vouchers to unsuspecting shoppers.

"People feel like idiots when they try to redeem them," Ko said. "Ask yourself why someone would stand in line 12 hours just to turn around and sell a voucher for 50 bucks. It doesn't make sense."

•Don't bring tents or chairs. They get in the way. If you insist on these creature comforts, be sure to have someone you can pass them to about an hour before the store opens.

•Know what you want before you go. Do your research and do a scouting mission to learn the location of departments and where Black Friday specials lie. Talk to store managers for the best information.

For those more inclined to stay home and bargain-hunt online, I'll have Cyber Monday tips next week.

Share your Internet story with me at agibes@reviewjournal.com.