Black Friday is near. I can feel the frustration of standing in line to get at least a cool discount. Then it occurred to me to check on the internet first.

I went to some of normal stores located in and near our city. First was Wal-Mart, I noticed on their internet ad, that some of the items said (limit one per store) the same thing appeared for Target , was something missing about telling the public about this? Of course this was not in bold print, but was in the fine print. So when you're standing outside for a few hours in the cold and get into the store to find out that there are out of stock, this might have been helpful if they told you they only had "so" many for the public.

So, I will be checking out the discount/factory shops in Castle Rock. They are going to be open tonight (Thanksgiving) at midnight. Now I don't mind shopping at midnight, but come on now... Each retailer trying to out-do each other. But will the "real" discounts be there?

Last year, at several stores at 4AM on Black Friday (of course standing in the cold), I was told the store was out of stock, and they tried to up-sell me on higher priced merchandise, like a bait and switch (thanks go to Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Target and Sears)

So this year my fellow consumers, get your wallets and purses ready. Don't fall for the "bait and switch" that happened to me last year. If it happens tell the retailer "no-thanks" and go to another store. If it happens, I'd like to hear from you...Just put a comment on this article, so others will know as well.

Luckily 90% of my shopping was done in September, and I only have a few things left. Hopefully all the turkey I ate today, won't slow me down at midnight, when the shopping "attack" begins!

Happy hunting for great sales!