The Inquisitr » Black Friday

Home Depot joins Black Friday fray, offers appliance and decor deals

Kim LaCapria — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:36:06 +0000

Home Depot is getting in on the Black Friday hysteria, offering some pretty impressive Black Friday incentives for people who love crowds and hate sleep.

While there isn’t an ad per se, BlackFriday.info has a huge list of deals from the home improvement monolith, and if you’ve been squirreling away cash to replace an old appliance, Black Friday might be your day. The list is extensive, spanning the many departments in Home Depot and offering deals that appeal to a wide range of shoppers, including some unexpected additions like Digital Cameras and Noise Suppression Headphones. Below are some excerpts, but there are many, many more.

Some appliance highlights:

Maytag 4.0 cu.ft. Energy Star Washer – $299.00

Maytag 7.0 cu.ft Electric Dryer – $279.00

Kitchen & Housewares

0.7 CU. Ft. 700-Watt Microwave – $25.00

1.6 Cu Ft Over-The-Range Microwave – $98.00

Amana 25.0 Cu Ft Side-By-Side Refrigerator – $698.00

Amana 3-Peice Suite, Dishwasher, Refrigerator & Range – $1094.00

Amana 4.8 Cu Ft Self-Clean Electric Range – $398.00

Amana Tall Tub Dishwasher – $298.00

Appliance Delivery @ Haul Away – Free

Hotpoint 5.0 Ct Ft Pilotless Gas Range – $298.00

Hotpoint 5.0 Cu Ft Self Cleaning Electric Range – $298.00

LG 19.7 Cu Ft French Door Refrigerator – $798.00

LG 25.0 Cu Ft Ezsteel Ice & Water French Door Refrigerator – $1498.00

LG 3.5 Cu Ft Washer & 7.0 Ct Ft Dryer – $798.00

LG Extra Large Capacity 4.0CU Ft Washer & 7.3 CU Ft Dryer – $998.00

Magic Chef 2.4 Cu Ft Stainless Style Compact Refrigerator – $98.00

Magic Chef 3.5 Cu Ft Chest Freezer – $138.00

Maytag 25.0 Cu Ft French Door Bottom Freezer Refrigerator – $998.00

Maytag Bravos 4.7 Cy Ft High Efficiency Washer – $499.00

Maytag Bravos 6.8 Cu Ft Dryer – $499.00

Maytag Super-Size Capacity 7.2 Cu Ft. Dryer – $499.00

Maytag Super-Size Capacity Plus 4.1 Cu Ft Washer – $499.00

Rival 1.1 Cu Ft Microwave – $48.00

Steamfast Steam Mop – $25.00

Upright Vacuum Cleaner – $28.00

Vissani 52-Bottle Free-Standing Wine Cooler – $148.00

Vissani 6-Bottle Countertop Wine Cooler – $48.00

Some Christmas decor deals:

6′-7′ Douglas Fir – $29.98

6′-7′ Fraser Fir – $34.98

6′-7′ Noble Fir – $39.98

6″ Poinsettia – $0.99 *

75 Ct All-Purpose Light Clips – $3.97

7′-8′ Douglas Fir – $39.98

7′-8′ Fraser Fir – $49.98

7′-8′ Noble Fir – $59.98

7′ Airblown Inflatable Lighted Snowman or Santa – $29.98

7 Ft. LED or Pre-Decorated Christmas Trees – $49.00

8′-9′ Douglas Fir – $49.98

8′-9′ Fraser Fir – $59.98

8′-9′ Noble Fir – $79.98

8′ Tree Stand – $11.97

Airblown Inflatable Lighted Penguin or Polar Bear – $19.97

Assorted Styles of Holiday Rugs – $3.88

Aster Pine 6.5′ Pre-Lit Christmas Tree – $59.00

Christmas Figures – $15.98

Christmas Stockings – $3.98

Fresh-Cut Christmas Trees – $18.95

GE 42″ Pre-Lit Decorated Christmas Tree – $49.97

Hairblown Inflatable Penguin Or Polar Bear – $19.97

hristmas Tree – $179.00

Pre-Lit 24″ Wreath – $9.98

Pre-Lit 25′ Noble Fir Garland – $19.97

Pre-Lit 42″ Porch Christmas Tree in Urn – $19.88

Pre-Lit 4′ Decorated Biltmore Pine Christmas Tree – $49.97

Pre-Lit 4′ Decorated Christmas Tree – $39.97

Pre-Lit 5′ Pine Christmas Tree – $34.97

Shatterproof Ornaments – $19.98

Shatter-Resistant 76-Piece Ornament Set – $9.99

Tree Skirts – $19.98

Wesley Pine 7.5′ Pre-Lit Christmas Tree – $139.00

Wrapping & Trimming Service w/Every Christmas Tree Purchase – Free

[Source: BlackFriday.info]

Samsung Black Friday Ad 2009, It’s Time To Buy An HDTV

James Allen Johnson — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:00:46 +0000

Samsung has announced their own round of Black Friday Ads for 2009 and their targeting HDTV buyers with some very nice pricing on various sized HDTV sets with 720P and 1080P capabilities.

The first option is the companies 46-inch LCD LN46B500 HDTV which features 1080P and a contract ratio of 40,000:1 for $849.99, while a smaller 40-inch LN40B500 is available for $599.99 with the same options found on the LN46B500.

If you’re looking for a smaller option you can pick up the 22-inch LN22B350 with 720p resolution for a respectable $249.99. Not the best price we’ve found on a smaller display, but still a nice option for bargain shoppers who want a high end Samsung TV.

Finally, if you want to head in the plasma direction you can pick up the 50-inch PN50B400 for $699.99 or the 42-inch PN42B400 for $549.99. Both sets offer 600Hz subfield motion alongside a nice 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, although those options only come in at 720p, making for a much less attractive option. [SlipperyBrick via Samsung]

Best Buy Black Friday 2009 ad contains surprise for Nintendo fans

Chris Greenhough — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:02:31 +0000

An eagle-eyed Siliconera reader spotted something neat on Best Buy’s Black Friday 2009 ad – a brand new Nintendo DSi bundle! For the first time ever, the Japanese gaming giant will be releasing one of its famous handhelds with preloaded games. It’s sort of a landmark!

The two DSi bundles will come loaded with DSiWare games, with one of the consoles directed at Brain Age fans, and the other targeting fans of Mario games (so, everybody):

Bundle 1: White Nintendo DSi with Brain Age Express: Arts & Letters, Brain Age Express: Sudoku, Brain Age Express: Math, Clubhouse Games Express: Card Classics, Photo Clock.
Bundle 2: Metallic Blue Nintendo DSi with Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!, WarioWare Snapped!, Dr. Mario Express, Mario Calculator, and Mario Clock are loaded on that DSi.

Siliconera’s Spencer notes that this equates to $28 and $22 worth of DSiWare respectively – when the handheld first launched, users got a free 1,000 DSiWare Points (or $10) to spend, once they connected to the online shop through their console.

[GearLive, via Siliconera]

Black Friday videogame deals from Toys ‘R’ Us

Chris Greenhough — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:20:03 +0000

More internet sleuthery has brought us a list of Black Friday videogame offers at Toys ‘R’ Us.

A little explanation before we get to the list itself: Toys ‘R’ Us will open from midnight Thursday, November 26, and will run two sets of “Doorbuster” deals. The Midnight Doorbusters will run from midnight until Friday at 1pm. The 5am Doorbusters will go from 5am – 1pm on Friday. Every other price you see here will be valid all day Friday and Saturday.

While there’s plenty of swill in this list – the horrible Wii selection is saved only by the excellent Dead Space Extraction – there are gems, including Halo 3 ODST, Forza 3, and some very cheap accessories:

Xbox 360

- Need for Speed: Shift – $34.99 (Reg. $59.99) 5am DOORBUSTER
- Forza 3 – $34.99 (Reg. $59.99) 5am DOORBUSTER
- Halo 3 ODST – $34.99 (Reg. $59.99) 5am DOORBUSTER
- Wired Guitar Hero Controller – $9.99 5am DOORBUSTER

PS3

- Need for Speed: Shift – $34.99 (Reg. $59.99) 5am DOORBUSTER

Wii

- Nerf-N-Strike bundle – $14.99 (50% off) MIDNIGHT DOORBUSTER
- Spore Hero – $24.99 (50% off) 5am DOORBUSTER
- Dead Space Extraction – $24.99 (50% off) 5am DOORBUSTER
- Wii Fit Accessories (50% off) 5am DOORBUSTER
- iCarly – $23.99 (Reg. 39.99) 5am DOORBUSTER
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Smashup – $29.99 (Reg. $49.99) 5am DOORBUSTER
- Sunny With a Chance of Meetballs – $29.99 (Reg. $49.99) 5am DOORBUSTER
- Scooby Doo – $23.99 (Reg. $39.99) 5am DOORBUSTER
- MySims Party – $9.99 (50% off)
- The Price is Right – $9.99 (50% off)
- Imagine Party Babyz – $9.99 (50% off)
- Chrysler Classic Racing – $9.99 (50% off)
- Avatar The Last Airbender: Into the Inferno – $9.99 (50% off)
- Kawasaki Jet Ski – $9.99 (50% off)

Nintendo DS

- Guitar Hero On Tour / Decades 2-Pack Bundle – $29.99 (Reg. $69.99) 5am DOORBUSTER
- Monsters vs. Aliens – $9.99 (50% off)
- MySims Kingdom – $9.99 (50% off)
- Avatar The Last Airbender: Into the Inferno – $9.99 (50% off)
- Spyro The Dragon – $9.99 (50% off)
- Tony Hawk’s Motion – $9.99 (50% off)
- Ice Age Dawn of the Dinosaurs – $9.99 (50% off)
- Imagine Family Doctor – $9.99 (50% off)
- Crash Bandicoot: Mind over Mutant – $9.99 (50% off)
- Club Penguin – $17.99 (40% off)
- Transformers – $17.99 (40% off)
- Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 – $17.99 (40% off)
- Buy 1 Get 1 Free on Select DS Games

PSP
- Buy 1 Get 1 Free on Select PSP Games

Accessories

- Gear Monkey Video Game Accessories (Buy 1, Get 1 Free) MIDNIGHT DOORBUSTER
- Video Game Docking Stations for 360/PS3/Wii – $15 (Reg. $19.99 – $29.99) 5am DOORBUSTER
- Messenger Bag for Xbox 360 – $15 (Reg. $20)
- Carrying Case for Nintendo Wii – $15 (Reg. $20)

[Via GamerDeals]

Best buys for Black Friday, all in one place

Kim LaCapria — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:11:02 +0000

You may have noticed the Christmas season has started a bit earlier than scheduled this year, with Christmas deals, decor and even to the dismay of everyone but my mother, Christmas music all being relentlessly piped into stores and TV advertising since probably mid-October.

Black Friday is a uniquely American tradition of excess consumerism, following our holy day of excess food consumption and sloth seamlessly like All Saints’ Day and All Souls Day except, you know, more sin-y. A lot of people have the Friday following Thanksgiving off from work owing to travel and the fact that no one has a job, and Black Friday deals this year have started frenzied shoppers buzzing all over the interwebnets like whoa.

We told you about Walmart’s Black Friday ad, the Sears Black Friday deals for gaming, Best Buy’s techie deals and Target’s huge Black Friday sale, but so many retailers are trying to get a piece of the plum pudding for Christmas hoping cash-strapped consumers might ease up on the short arms, long pockets routine- how does a savvy shopper keep track? Consumerist pointed us towards a website that collects ads and information about Black Friday sales and even lists Black Friday circulars for your perusal. (BlackFriday.info) So if you want to get in on the action (or you really need a new toaster and only have $3), you can formulate your plan of attack and make it arguably worthwhile to brave the crowds.

Best Buy Black Friday Ad 2009, Plenty Of Goodies For Techies

James Allen Johnson — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:48:46 +0000

In my opinion the best Black Friday sale every year comes from the folks at Best Buy. Typically their electronics are sold at ridiculously low pricing and what tech/gadget lover wouldn’t love a sale devoted to high end, yet low price electronics. Here’s a look at some of the top offerings in the Best Buy Black Friday Ad for 2009, both for online and in-store customers.

With 272 items to choose from the Best Buy Black Friday Ad is huge, however there are some deals that really stuck out, such as the Samsung 46″ 1080P 120Hz LED HDTV, offered as a doorbuster sale for $1599.99. Gamers can also pick up the 120GB Sony PS3, with the Little Big Planet and Ratchet and Clank games for $299.99.

The Canon EOS Rebel T1i D-SLR Camera with the 18-55mm IS Lens is also being offered for $699.99, while not the lowest priced item to procure, it’s still a great deal on a phenomenal DSLR.

The electronics chain is also offering a Garmin Nuvi 205W GPS for $99.99 and that price gets you a widescreen display, voice by voice instructions and plenty of Points of Interest (POIs).

If laptops are more up your alley you can take advantage of the Compaq Netbook w/Intel Atom Processor, 1GB Memory and a 160GB Hard Drive for $179.99. It may not offer the fastest processor but the price is right. An upgrade to a 250GB unit is also available at $229.99

If you’re more in the mood for a Blu-Ray player they also have several models on sale, the best deal of which is the Samsung BD-P1600 Blu-Ray Disc Player for only $149.99 which is a steal for such a great high definition player.

Those are some of my personal favorite offerings from the company, however with nearly 300 items set for Black Friday you’ll definitely want to keep your eyes peeled to your local paper for the companies full spread.

Target Black Friday Ad Revealed With Plenty Of Goodies

James Allen Johnson — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:38:10 +0000

The official Black Friday ad for Target was revealed today and it’s sure to make a bunch of early morning post-turkey day shopping fans happy.

The ad includes Pixar’s “Up” for a very low $13, with Transformers and Madagascar 2 listed at sub-$10 ($5.99), and The Dark Knight and Sex in the City priced even lower at $3.99.

Target will also be dispensing of Chefmate small kitchen appliances at $3 a piece, including toasters, slow cookers, coffee makers and even a sandwich press. While not the typical full sized options, they’re still a steal at that price.

For Electronics fans the TomTom XL340S GPS has been slashed from $249.99 to a very affordable $97. While the Westinghouse 32″ 720p LCD HDTV can be picked up for $246, down from the regular price of $429.99. Western Digital 1TB desktop hard drives have also been cut by $40 to a very nice $59.98 price point.

If you’re looking to pick up some toys on Black Friday, Target is offering the Indiana Jones Kingdome of the Crystal Skull Lego site for $49, almost half of the typical $89 price tag.

Target Black Friday deals are first come first served and from 5am-Noon they’ll be giving out $10 gift cards for every $100 worth of merchandise purchased.

[RUMOR] Sears Black Friday videogame deals revealed

Chris Greenhough — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:41:34 +0000

While only a rumor at this stage, it looks as though internet detectives have exposed which videogames Sears will be discounting on Black Friday 2009.

Because I’m nice (and, on an unrelated note, also rather handsome), I thought I’d give you folks a heads-up and a couple of days to top up your piggy banks. I know, I’m like the internet Jesus or something.

Couple of things to note: most offers this year will be available both in-store and online, and the “Sears Black Friday Doorbuster” deals are valid Friday November 27 from 4am – Noon. All other prices are valid both Friday and Saturday.

On with details of the most eye-catching deals:

Xbox 360

- Brutal Legend – $39.99 (Save $20)
- Dragon Age: Origins – $39.99 (Save $20)
- Need for Speed: Shift – $39.99 (Save $20)
- Halo 3 ODST – $39.99 (Save $20)
- Left 4 Dead – $39.99 (Save $20)
- Forza 3 Motorsport – $39.99 (Save $20)
- Guitar Hero World Tour Guitar Kit – $49.99 (Save $20) DOORBUSTER

PlayStation 3

- Brutal Legend – $39.99 (Save $20)
- Dragon Age: Origins – $39.99 (Save $20)
- Need for Speed: Shift – $39.99 (Save $20)
- Guitar Hero World Tour Guitar Kit – $49.99 (Save $20) DOORBUSTER
- Free Blu-ray remote w/ purchase of PS3 Console

Nintendo Wii and DS

- A Boy and his Blob – $29.99 (Save $10)
- Biggest Loser – $29.99 (Save $10)
- Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum – $29.99 (Save $10)
- Drawn to Life (DS) – $19.99 (Save $10) DOORBUSTER
- World of Zoo (DS) – $19.99 (Save $10) DOORBUSTER
- Guitar Hero World Tour Guitar Kit – $49.99 (Save $20) DOORBUSTER
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Smash Up – $29.99 (Save $20) DOORBUSTER

[Via GamerDeal]

Sears Black Friday Flyer Gets Revealed, Electronics Offers Are Rather Sad

James Allen Johnson — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:26:55 +0000

It’s almost “Black Friday” in the states which means flyers will start appearing at rapid rates in the coming weeks. One of the first flyers to get spotted comes from Sears and offers several pieces of electronics from TV’s and GPS units to Games and KitchenAid mixers.

Among Sears specials is a 40 inch Samsung 1080p LCD for $599 ($50 cheaper than found elsewhere) and a similar Samsung 1080p model for $664 (Only a $10 discount from other locations). They’ll also offer several GPS units, although given TomTom and Garmin stock prices after Google announced turn-by-turn directions just a few days ago, you may soon find even better deals at Bestbuy and through other online retailers.

They’ll also be offering a few games, although there really a pathetic attempt at getting the gamer crowd into their stores. While KitchenAid mixers are also featured.

From a tech perspective it’s not worth a 3AM sale. Especially considering you may have to line up by midnight to take advantage of some of the offerings at various store locations.

Engadget has provided a link to the official flyer: Sears PDF

Buyer Beware: Early Black Friday Ads Could Be Misleading, Even Fake

James Allen Johnson — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 23:52:20 +0000

A recent ad by the Black Friday site BF Ads recent showed an Office Max advertisement with 48 items listed. Several hours later that ad was removed and replaced with a cease and desist letter from the companies attorneys.

According to the letter ““Not only is most or all of the information BFads.net is disseminating regarding OfficeMax advertisements and sales false or misleading, such information is also misapproriated OfficeMax confidential information,”

While BF Ads claims that most adverts they reveal are typically final revisions, they also admitted that many ads arriving this early are often misleading or outright forgeries, which is why they agreed to pull the ad for fear they may mislead Office Max customers.

This entire fiasco brings up an important message for customers, beware of early ads, regardless of how real they may look. Having come from an acquisition retail background I can attest that many blowout specials are often negotiated close to the time of sale, yes perhaps a few items will be negotiated well in advance, however seeing 48 items already ready for a special a month away is a little dodgy at best, even for larger retail outlets, although not impossible.

With that being said, BF Ads has obviously taken the high road to ensure their customers are provided with correct information as it arrives, just remember not all Black Friday sites are so willing to verify information, instead attempting to gain consumer affiliate money at any cost, so check sources and be prepared to spend a considerable amount of time verifying any Black Friday ads that seem too good to be true.

Was the Online Black Friday rise really that good?

Duncan Riley — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 22:14:17 +0000

Figures out from comScore show Online Black Friday sales rising 1% this year compared to last year.

Naturally, some are welcoming the news as a positive in a sea of negative economic news and to be fair, not seeing a decline in sales is a positive of sorts when many predicted less spending.

But take a look at the broader news, including a appalling Walmart Stampede Death. Shoppers always like a bargain and stampedes and injuries aren’t completely new (although a death would be a rarity); what it would though seem to demonstrate is that shoppers this year are MORE desperate for bargains given the broader economic crisis.

Black Friday sales are up because consumers have less money to spend, and are trying to save money by buying at sales.

Consider the economic trends of any recession or even during the Great Depression. What we see is a reduced spending capacity in the market as a whole, but likewise consumption never dies. It may decline, but it declines relative to spending capacity. Shoppers become more frugal, so what they buy must fit their ability to spend, and what better time to get value for money than at the Black Friday sales, particularly for those smart enough to plan ahead and buy early Christmas presents. The 1% figure is actually worse than it should have been; Black Friday sales should have been higher given a mild economic crisis, indicating that the economy is in worse shape again because a sure sign of a deep recession or even depression is when people stop spending on non-necessities and save.

Social media emergency planning – ya right!

Steven Hodson — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 01:39:13 +0000

When I read that above tweet earlier today I couldn’t help but give my head a shake. I mean seriously folks having a specific social media plan for emergency situations?

We can’t even figure out how to make social media something that regular folks can wrap their heads around and we expect them to follow tweets or wall messages on Facebook when an emergency hits. Remember this idea is being put forward so that people like those who stampeded and killed a temporary WalMart worker will follow emergency planning protocols – give me break.

As it is do you really think that people fighting each other to get a deal on Xbox as in the video below are gonna give two hoots about some stupid ass Twitter message as their city goes to hell in a hand basket? No I don’t bloody well think so.

It’s no wonder a lot of people think that social media is full of hot air sometimes.

VIDEO: Toys ‘R’ Us Shooting Likely Not Shopping-Related

JR — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 23:18:30 +0000

Two people are dead from a shooting inside a Toys ‘R’ Us in Palm Desert, 120 miles east of Los Angeles. Unlike a Wal-Mart stampede that killed a worker and injured a pregnant woman in New York earlier in the day, however, investigators have suggested this incident is likely not shopping-related.

“Two Rival Groups”

The Toys ‘R’ Us shooting involved only two men, police indicate, both of whom had handguns and shot and killed each other. Officers wouldn’t go as far as to label the violence as gang-related, saying no details would be released until family members had been notified. A city councilman, however, told The Desert Sun the two men were “the only ones involved” and seemed to be part of “two rival groups.”

“I think the obvious question everyone has is who takes loaded weapons into a Toys “R” Us?” Councilman Jim Ferguson said. “I doubt it was the casual holiday shopper.”

Toys ‘R’ Us has also issued a statement saying the “act seems to have been the result of a personal dispute between the individuals involved” and it “would be inaccurate to associate the events … with Black Friday.”

Shopper Scare

The shooting caused concern and commotion among shoppers in the crowded store, with parents and children running and crying. Workers immediately closed the store and escorted shoppers out. No other injuries have been reported.

Toys ‘R’ Us Shooting Video

The following is raw video taken from the scene of the Palm Desert Toys ‘R’ Us shooting:

The next clip is an interview with a man whose wife was inside and on the phone with him:

This clip is raw video showing police detaining a man outside the store:

MORE COVERAGE:
• Wal-Mart Stampede Leaves Worker Dead, Pregnant Woman Injured (VIDEO)

No related posts.

Wal-Mart Stampede Leaves Worker Dead, Pregnant Woman Injured (VIDEO)

JR — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 20:37:46 +0000

A Wal-Mart worker is dead and a pregnant woman recovering from injuries following a Black Friday shopper stampede.

Employee Trampled

Police say the employee was trampled as shoppers pushed to get into the Long Island Wal-Mart location just after 5:00 a.m. Friday. The 34-year-old man was “knock[ed] to the ground” as a “throng of shoppers … physically broke down the doors,” a police statement says. The man had been hired for the holidays via a temp agency. He was declared dead within the hour.

Miscarriage Caused

As for the pregnant woman, witnesses say she was knocked out and found on the ground in the same area. She was rushed to the hospital, where reports indicate she suffered a miscarriage as a result of the trauma. At least three other customers were also hurt.

Wal-Mart Death Investigation

The store was closed shortly after the stampede. Wal-Mart says it is working with Nassau County Police to review surveillance video and fully investigate the incident.

Cell phone video from the scene is below, along with a news report from moments after the trampling. More Wal-Mart stampede video follows beneath that. Please be advised that some of the images may be disturbing.

Past Wal-Mart Stampede Video

Some attorneys say they have handled numerous lawsuits involving injuries from Wal-Mart stampedes on Black Friday. Some speculate there are thousands such cases across the country every year. Most, they indicate, end with confidential settlements with the retailer.

This video, from another Wal-Mart location on a Black Friday morning, shows just how intense and chaotic major retailers’ opening moments can become as eager shoppers rush into the opening doors.

Wal-Mart’s official statement on the Long Island Black Friday death calls it a “tragic situation.”

“The safety and security of our customers and associates is our top priority,” the company says.

MORE COVERAGE:
• VIDEO: Toys ‘R’ Us Shooting Likely Not Shopping-Related

Apple Stores Will Match Competitor Prices, Report Says

JR — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 17:55:41 +0000

Here’s a little tech shopping tip for your holiday planning: Apple has quietly authorized its retail store managers to match competitors’ prices, according to a report published at Apple retail store blog ifoAppleStore.com.

As we reported earlier this week, independent online retailers are already revealing some significant discounts for MacBooks and iMacs. Now, ifoAppleStore says Apple’s own locations will dip just as low — if you ask. And, if the reports are correct, the move won’t just be limited to Black Friday, either.

In order to qualify, ifoAppleStore says, you’ll have to supply proof of the competitor’s pricing. Of course, one would hope the Apple retail store would be willing to beat the price, not just match it — otherwise, why bother?

MORE COVERAGE:
• MacBooks and iMacs Get the Black Friday Treatment
• Easy Ways to Find Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals Online
• What’s the Deal with Apple and Misleading Ads?

MacBooks and iMacs Get The Black Friday Treatment

JR — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:33:09 +0000

If you’re looking for a new MacBook or iMac, now may be the time to buy. MacMall has announced its online Black Friday sales for Apple products, as the folks at macrumors.com discovered. The sales are in full swing now and last until midnight (PT) this Friday, November 28.

MacRumors created a convenient chart that breaks down the discounts offered by MacMall compared to those coming to Best Buy’s Black Friday sale. As you can see, some of the models are discounted by as much as $200-$250 at MacMall. (Click on the chart to access MacRumors’ interactive version.)

You can also check out our list of places to track down the best Black Friday deals and discounts online for more tips on upcoming tech-related sales.

Search Data Suggests Black Friday Hesitation

JR — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:22:36 +0000

While retailers are holding their breath for a strong Black Friday this week, some new online data suggests people may not be as excited about the event as in years past.

Online research firm Hitwise found searches related to Black Friday deals are lower right now than they were this time last year. While the searches had been growing year-to-year for some time, they’ve now dropped back almost to 2006 levels on a week-to-week comparison.

As you can see in Hitwise’s graph, the searches are still climbing, so the verdict isn’t in just yet and it’s still possible that people are just delaying their deal hunting.

Another noteworthy shift: Hitwise analysts found Black Friday-related search terms are becoming more specific and complex this season. More people are looking for certain retailers rather than generalized deals, with retailer-specific searches up 11 percent so far from 2007.

It may not all be the economy, though. A report published at The Wall Street Journal this morning predicts Cyber Monday sales will increase this year, with more and more retailers focusing on the post-Black Friday Internet rush. A survey by Shop.org found 83.7 percent of stores are planning promotions for next Monday, compared to 72.2 percent last year.

If you’re looking for the best places to find Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, we’ve made it simple for you. Check out our list of “10 Easy Ways to Find Black Friday Deals Online” for some strong starting places.

10 Easy Ways to Find Black Friday Deals Online

JR — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:00:15 +0000

The countdown to Black Friday is on — and this year, the savings will count more than ever. You don’t have to wait till November 28 to get started, though. We’ve dug up the Internet’s best resources to help you track down the hottest deals right now. Read on and avoid wasting a single minute standing in the wrong line.

1. CyberMonday.com

CyberMonday.com hunts down hot deals for online orders every day, letting you search by category or merchant. Its front page gives you an at-a-glance look at the latest bargains breaking or about to break on retailers’ Web sites — anything from specific discounts to coupon codes for scoring free shipping and other goodies.

2. BlackFridayAds.com

BlackFridayAds.com, as its name suggests, collects and compiles Black Friday sales listings from retailers across America and publishes them as they come in. Some are official releases, while others are leaks that may have a limited lifetime — so it’s best to check frequently if you want to avoid missing anything.

3. BlackFriday.info

BlackFriday.info follows a similar model, scanning and cataloguing dozens of Black Friday sales cheat sheets every day. You can also sign up for e-mail alerts whenever new ads are posted.

4. BFAds.net

BFAds.net is another strong source for breaking Black Friday deals. It lists new activity by store, so you can easily see where new offers have popped up. BFAds.net also offers a community section in which shoppers can exchange tips about hot deals on the way.

5. 2008BlackFridayAds.com

More sale listings await you at 2008BlackFridayAds.com. In addition to specific Black Friday sales, this site offers complimentary e-mail updates, searchable store hours, and advice about developing strategies to make the most of the big day.

6. Black Friday @ GottaDeal.com

GottaDeal.com’s Black Friday section looks for daily online sales leading up to November 28. You can find some standout shots at saving by hopping on one of these early bird specials. The site also lists regular Black Friday ads and advance notices.

7. iBlackFriday.com

iBlackFriday.com has an easy-to-use, icon-based navigation system that lets you look through stores to find the deals you need. It also has a secondary “Coming Soon” section, so you can see what listings are on the way and bookmark their specific pages for the future.

8. SlickDeals.net

SlickDeals.net is a URL worth hanging on to. This one goes deal-by-deal, listing out just items and prices in its daily postings. It also has some handy printable coupons to let you slash a little more off your final ticket when you head into the stores, as well as numerous coupon codes for savings on online orders. You can opt to get info sent to your mobile phone as well.

9. DealNews.com

DealNews.com is a year-round site that has particular value for Black Friday deal hunters. In a nutshell, the service seeks out the lowest price listed anywhere for all sorts of products, so you don’t have to do the searching. It also has a convenient “Rumor Roundup” section that debunks misleading deals and phony savings claims floating around cyberspace.

10. FreeShipping.org and FreeShippingOn.com

FreeShipping.org and FreeShippingOn.com both compile free shipping offers from all sorts of online retailers. They’re worth checking out before you place an holiday shopping order to see if there’s somewhere you could get it without having to pay the postage.

Extra Tips for Tech-Related Black Friday Savings:

• If you’ve thought about going Blu-ray, now may be the time. Blu-ray players are expected to dip to $100 to $150 during Black Friday sales.

• Retailers say digital photo frames will also go fast this season, with costs dropping down to $30 to $50.

• HDTVs are expected to go as low as $600 for 42-inch units. The smaller brand names will provide the best deals.

• Some netbook models will be offered for as little as $200.

• Portable MP3 players should sell for as low as $10 for small 1GB models during the Black Friday sales. Don’t expect much savings on iPods, though — you’ll have to go for another brand to see the price difference. Apple in general isn’t expected to drop its prices more than 10 percent in any area.

Got any other hot leads or must-know tips for Black Friday shopping? Share the wealth and leave your suggestion in a comment below.

Wal-Mart sics the dogs of war on Black Friday Ad linkers

Steven Hodson — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:25:17 +0000

This kind of stuff is enough to turn the smile of the Wal-Mart Smiley character upside down. In the past Wal-Mart has been well know for siccing its legions of lawyers on any site that displayed any information about the company’s Black Friday deals even though it has been proven that any DMCA notices sent out are illegal.

Well this year Wal-Mart’s zombie crew of lawyers have decided that it is time to send these still illegal DMCA takedown notices to any sites that even provide links to sites displaying the Black Friday ads. Such is the case with SearchAllDeals.com; a search engine/aggregator of various deals sites, who recieved one of the takedown notices from Wal-Mart’s lawyers Baker Hostetier. Below you can read a copy of the takedown notice sent to SearchAllDeals.com

The funny thing is that even Wal-Mart employees acknowledge that these ‘leaks’ help increase business. Now I am not a fan of Wal-Mart to say the least but jeez guys what the hell are you doing here other than creating a lot of bad press over something that is now out of your control. Grow up and be thankful that at least some people want to shop in your stores.

[takedown notice graphic courtesy of Techdirt]