There are new rules for scoring the best Black Friday deals.
It used to be that to get the best deals on televisions or one of the limited number of video game consoles, you had to camp out Thanksgiving, if not days earlier, in Best Buy, Walmart and Target parking lots.
Think back to the viral images and videos from past Black Friday shopping frenzies with all the pushing, shoving and fights over getting one of the biggest bargains - be it a TV, toy or towel.
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Now it's about being the fastest to click "add to cart" and then successfully checking out online days before Black Friday proper.
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The pandemic finished off what the increase of online shopping started to slash years earlier - in-store-only doorbusters. It's also shelved Thanksgiving Day in-store shopping at Walmart, Best Buy, Kohl's and more as well as cut it permanently at Target.
Last year, retailers chopped the in-store doorbusters to limit crowds and began offering all deals online amid the pandemic. They also started rolling out deals early to spread out demand.
I see this as a good thing in the name of safety and convenience. Shop early and send your gifts out earlier with the potential for further delays looming.
Yet this year, the goal post has been moved again.
Between inflation being at a 31-year high and supply chain disruptions, there are fewer deals and fewer items available. Frankly, with product shortages and high demand, retailers don't have to discount items.
Still, it's possible to be a smart and savvy shopper in another unusual shopping season. Here are my new rules for scoring the gifts on your list and hopefully a few bargains along the way.
It's been a broken record. Since October experts and retailers have recommended shopping early and warned of possible disappointment for not acting.
Stores held early Black Friday sales ahead of Halloween and the month of November has been a series of savings events. Now, we're in Black Friday season, and the prices will be among the best of the year.
This year, Hanukkah starts Sunday night before Cyber Monday. But because the Jewish holiday does last eight days, it's possible to shop for gifts on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Just be wary of shipping gifts or having them sent by retailers as it's possible they'll arrive after the eighth candle is lit.
Retailers haven't shared many details about Cyber Monday yet and often release information while Black Friday sales are underway.
?Shopping tip: Save your receipts in case prices drop lower or if you can't find the right size or color for a future even exchange.
My official Black Friday shopping started at 1 a.m. ET on Sunday at Kohl's, and I checked out twice within eight minutes.
My best deal? An air fryer toaster oven (regular price $89.99) and a small waffle maker (regular price $24.99) that combined were $27.55 after two coupons (sorry the $10 off $50 ended early Sunday morning but the 15% is still available), $15 Kohl's Cash on the purchase and a $12 rebate. Plus, I'm also earning 5% back with Kohl's Rewards.
After a few more Kohl's checkouts - I often do smaller orders that are planned in advance where I can get free shipping to avoid products selling out - I headed to Target where I bought a toy for my 9-month-old nephew that I'll save for his birthday in February.
I will mail in my rebates on the waffle maker and a few other small kitchen appliances early next week and set a reminder to use the Kohl's Cash before it expires on Dec. 8.
?Pro shopper tip: If you are not going to submit the rebate or use the rebate card when it arrives, look for another deal. Rebate offers can save you the most, but if you're not going to follow through, it's not worth it. Also, keep in mind, you'll have to cut the UPC off the product and that can be a giveaway to your gift recipient that you saved money. Redemption deadlines also are important with Kohl's Cash and other retailers' rewards.
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Have your heart set on getting a PS5 or Xbox Series X, two video game consoles released last year? Prepare for disappointment and to watch social media to learn when future batches might go on sale.
Walmart started its third and final Black Friday sale Monday and gave paying Walmart+ members a head start on the sale. The consoles went on sale at 4 p.m. ET, and I was online and ready to shop after signing up for a month of the membership program at $12.95.
I was able to get on virtual lines for the Sony and Microsoft devices immediately, but my wait time went back and forth and the products sold out before I could add them to my cart. Like others who took to Twitter to voice disappointment, I failed my mission.
In most cases, you'll have to shop online for the in-demand items, but GameStop is opening some of its stores on Thanksgiving. As of Tuesday, the retailer hasn't posted a Black Friday ad, but last year the game stores were the site of campouts.
?Shopping tip: Sign up for in-stock alerts from retailers. This helped me find an iPad, and it's helped others get a console. While some normal people have gotten lucky with limited drops of the consoles, more have walked away disappointed claiming bots and professional shoppers are scooping up supplies. Perseverance combined with in-stock alerts and following social media rumors on drops can make the difference.
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Online orders get canceled all the time. Packages get lost and delays happen.
Curbside pickup, where shoppers can pick up online orders without leaving cars, rolled out as an option at some store locations years ago but since the pandemic has grown dramatically and is a much larger part of Black Friday sales than ever.
Stores also offer in-store pickup, and the advantage of both is getting your purchases faster. It also helps cut shipping fees and can be a safer option in a world of porch pirates.
?Shopping tip: Use in-store pickup or curbside whenever available. Some retailers allow you to add additional pickup people to the order. Be sure to check your order before leaving the parking lot to make sure you got the right products. Learn more about the retailers offering pickup services with this list.
In the past, I've found Black Friday sales to bring the best prices of the year on iPads. While I set my sights on the newest iPad in September, I wasn't ready to buy it.
Then in October, Target launched its holiday price-match guarantee program and extended holiday return period, I decided to order the Apple tablet. Problem was, it was out of stock. But the same day I signed up for in-stock notifications on the iPad, I got my first bite and ordered it.
Target's holiday policy works if the retailer's price drops, not competitors; but since I used my Target RedCard, I did save 5%.
?Pro tip: Watch prices and read store price guarantees. Some policies will be suspended through Cyber Monday sales, but this doesn't stop the dedicated shopper from repurchasing if the price drops. Beware of open-box rules if the gifts have already been used.
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You tried and were unsuccessful with the online Black Friday sales. Now it's time to plan to head to stores to see if you can luck out.
Retailers often have holiday items that are not counted in online inventory to give shoppers who visit stores a chance to save. This also means that in-store inventory checkers might not be accurate during the sales.
If you are stuck on gift ideas, seeing what's available can help come up with ideas and is a chance to pick
?Shopping tip: Come up with a game plan based on store hours. Here's when stores open Friday.
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Follow USA TODAY reporter Kelly Tyko on Twitter: @KellyTyko. For shopping news, tips and deals, join us on our Shopping Ninjas Facebook group.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Black Friday worth it? Here's how to save, when to shop for deals and maybe score a PS5