More Black Friday sales 'leaked' - is it too much?

 

The retail industry will forever be pushing the limits of how hard they're willing to push to make a sale. Black Friday is increasingly a part of that overwhelming push. This article shares my point of view on the matter: Black Friday "leaks" are getting kinda ridiculous.

I mean, how many people are going to remember to go get that oil change, TV, kids clothes etc a month in advance. Everyone like a deal, whether it is Black Friday, Cyber Monday or blue light special tuesday (I'm k-mart kid at heart) but where does it end?

The Halloween candy isn't even 50% off yet and we're already leaking Black Friday secrets and pumping them up like its a government scandal? It's strange to me that a shopping day is getting more coverage than world events that actually affect people, not just their pocket books.

Is Wal-mart really facing a Black Friday Walk out?

Looks as though the worlds biggest retailer could be facing some serious trouble this Black Friday. Workers throughout the United States are claiming that they will walk out on one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

This Toronto Sun article states that a class action lawsuit has been brought against Wal-mart over the way they treat their labor force. This isn't the first time they've had to settle such as suit, as they paid out over 600 million dollars approximately four years ago to make a pool of similar suits go away.

There are already been walk outs at 29 stores in 8 different states and thousands of employees are signing on to make Wal-mart's black friday sale a rough one for managers. Wal-mart is notorious for breaking up budding unions and using software to maximize employee time while shorting their staff on benefits.

With the economy suffering, its becoming clear that Wal-mart associates are getting fed up with the treatment and have no where else to go. Do you think a Black Friday walk out would change anyone's mind? Or is there enough people in need of work for this to be a non-issue?

iPad 2 sale on Black Friday?

So the iPad mini is out. Did you wet your pants with excitement when it was unveiled?

This business insider article is speculating that the release of the iPad mini is lining up stores to give us all a discount on the SUPER old iPad 2. Essentially, the BI article makes the point that the iPad 2 has survived 2 Apple launch events without an update.

Since there is no way that they would cut prices on the iPad mini, they might make a play to move the old units out for Christmas by giving us a deal on Black Friday. I think they might be too greedy to provide poor people like me the chance to own an iPad - left to be a lowly samsung owner the rest of my adult life *sic*
Anywho, what do you guys think will happen?

Remember, Online orders aren't always a guarantee

Amazon joined the list of companies that is hyping Black Friday today. They announced that they will run a whole week of promotions to get the holiday season spending under way.

This examiner article outlined their plan. Essentially there will be a string of daily sales and blow-outs focused on xmas items like electronics and home goods. But before you get your credit card out, remember that items you buy in black friday sales may not make it to you in time for the big day.

Last year there were several cases where customers bought the blowout deal, only to be notified that there was not enough stock to supply the demand. This wouldn't be a big deal, but in some cases Amazon waited an extended period of time, making it hard to impossible for shoppers to make additional purchases.

Lesson: Always have a back-up plan if you buy a gift on a black friday or cyber monday deal.

Holiday Shopping before Black Friday? Looks like it is catching on...

Did you honestly think the average american was only being cheap on Black Friday?
Really? I think the proliferation of shows like Extreme Couponing have shown that everybody is looking for a deal and some people will always take it to the enth degree of crazy.

That said, this article on Frugal Nation talks about how North Americans have started to think about Christmas holidays as early as October. The article also touches on how many people don't know how they'll afford to pay for all their purchases, Black Friday sales or not.

I know personally, my sister prides herself on having the shopping for the holidays done before the end of the first week of December. I'm more of a "Let's see what's availble Christmas eve" kinda person, as it forces you to make decisions instead of mulling over items, changing your mind then having to do returns at the stores but, to each their own.
What are you holiday shopping habits?

Forget shopping this Black Friday, get trapped in the closet instead.

Just when I thought that I had my Black Friday plans worked out, the game changed. According to this article R & B singer R Kelly is slated to release 20 more chapters to his bizarre "hip hopera" on November 23rd.

What does it mean? We're in store to get more than we bargained for in our living rooms. Here's the first 12 parts, as posted on youtube.  Take a watch and see if you can handle it.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAUpYszoSms]

R is promising many more twists and turns in this new iteration of his strange world. Personally, I can't believe he found someone to pay for producing it. From what I recall the first set from the series was self-funded, but TMZ reported a few months back that he was in the market to keep the adventure alive.

For me, Trapped in the closet is akin to Honey Boo Boo; where in it is so frackin' bad I can't stop watching. Odds are, after I've raced out to get my new Blu-ray player for cheap this Black Friday, I'll be at home watching this mess unfold further.

Is Black Friday Really the best time to get a deal?

If you've ever stood in line to buy something on Black Friday, you know it can be horrible. You're standing in the Canadian cold watching your breath and hoping that you can get one of the 10 items that are available for a good discount. Keeping in mind that most door crashers are a set up so you end up spending more on other items like cables and accessories, is it really worth it?

This article from the Wall Street Journal asks that very question and according to their nerds number crunching, the answer may be no. After looking at data from the past 2 - 6 years on different products, the WSJ researchers found that a majority of items are available cheaper at some other time of the year.

That said, if you need an item for yourself or a gift, just make sure to know your numbers. Don't get sucked in by the hype and flash of a Black Friday sale. I speak from experience.

Two years ago a got (what I thought was) a great deal on an RCA television only to find out that the model was refurbished and generally unreliable. So remember to do your homework before you splurge on the 'great deal' :)

Best Buy to Match Prices online this Black Friday?

Looking around the net, it appears as though Best Buy might be extending their price match policies to the internet. This Wall Street Journal article hints that the electronics giant may be looking to battle off their slumping sales with some holiday price matching.

I don't know about you guys, but I have definitely stood in the isle of a Best Buy and looked up the price of a model number on line. If the item is cheaper and the shipping to Canada looks to be a reasonable price, I will walk out and order the gadget online at home.

This is a growing trend and it looks like Best Buy is going to try and intercept shoppers to make the sale. Do you think it will work?  I have my reservations about it. They're a big company and this will require a large staff of online customer reps to ensure the integrity of the program.

Getting that Laptop Computer this Black Friday?

I am pretty  rough with my computer. It is really kinda not a thing I've ever care about since you can always get a better one for a deal through a Black Friday deal. So, for me, I may as well know that I will be getting a new piece of hardware within the next year.

Last year, for example, I scored a 16 inch laptop on sale at Best Buy for under four hundred bucks and it was not part of a door crasher.

When it's that cheap I can't say no. I get that you might call that wasteful, however I lovehaving new things.

Making a Battle Strategy

This blog is centered around Black Friday sales, but because the event only happens one time annually it is a little hard to find things to write about. For this one I'm going to ask you guys for suggestions as to how to make sure that you purchase the door crashers on Black Friday.

I like to try to avoid the early morning wait in line as I just won't be troubled with the hassle of it all just to save a few dollars on some electronics. Have any of you folks out in internet land ever do it?

Drawing a Shopping Plan

This site is centered around Black Friday discounts, but because the event only happens once per year it can be a little difficult to find things to talk about.

For this one I'm gonna open up the floor for suggestions as to how to ensure that you get the best deals on Black Friday. I like to try to avoid the early morning wait in line as I just can't be bothered by the pain of it all just to save a couple bucks on some electronics.

Have any of you people out in internet land ever do it?

Making a Shopping Plan

Drawing a Shopping Plan

A little info about they day of which we speak

Big media always talk about the day after Thanksgiving as the largest consumer shopping day of the year. Previously, this was not quite the case. From 1993 through to 2001,  Black Friday fell between the fifth and tenth busiest day to shop, either online or instore. The Saturday before xmas tended to take the premiere spot. By 2003 Black Friday had claimed its spot as the busiest day of shopping for the year.

Black Friday is very popular for purchasing big ticket items for a few reasons.  It is the first day after the last big vacation day before Christmas and is tended to be believed to be the kick off to the Christmas season. Since many business owners give their employees the day off as part of Thanksgiving weekend, the number of potential shoppers is considerably higher than on a regular friday.

To take advantage of this, virtually every store in North America, big and small, offer discounts and sales. Some stores and retailers extend their hours beyond normal in order to take advantage of the increase of shoppers, or to simply keep up with their competition.

"Black Friday" indicat...

"Black Friday" indicates the point at which retailers begin to turn a profit, or are "in the black"