Is Amazon.ca's Black Friday week Sales kinda Crappy?

Black Friday is touted as the best day to get big ticket items for cheap. But looking at the coverage of Amazon's Black Friday Week Sales I think I'd have to call it into question. Sure, there is more items than usual highlighted to be priced at a discount, but none of them are really great bargains.

I did my own looking and aside from a few good Blu-ray deals it was (as my mother would say) nothing to write home about. Thirty percent of crappy watches, twenty percent off of camera's that are pretty much obsolete the minute they arrive in the mail and some cheap blenders that your wife or girlfriend probably doesn't want.

Perhaps there will be a big stack of blow out deals on the actual Black Friday, but to my eyes this year is looking to be a wash. Is it because it is no longer a select few merchants are daring to do it? It seems more like just another 'thing' that all stores and retailers need to 'take advantage of'. Maybe this will be the year where everyone takes a big loss and realizes that they should have just let their employees stay home with their families.

What do you think?

Working Black Friday is a Bummer

Was just reading this article about how working on Black Friday totally sucks. As a former retail employee, I can confirm this to be true. The writer hits on all the key points that always made my life miserable.

1. The store opens at some godforsaken hour - what does this mean for an employee? Well, if you're not up all night stocking the shelves with the latest door crashers, you'll have to be there at lease half an hour earlier. Then you get to wade through the line of grouchy campers who 'need' that cheap tv.
   
2. People are Jerks - Yep. Total. Jerks. As if getting a deal wasn't enough, Black Friday shoppers seem to feel that they can be completely rude to staff and one another. When the inevitable happens and the bargain items run out, you're expected to stay polite while mothers turn into harpees screaming for their cheap toaster.

Now that I'm out of retail, I don't envy those people. I also do my best to avoid the rush by doing my shopping online. There are a lot of Black Friday deals at Amazon and even without the additional savings, there are usually some good deals over there.

That nonsense aside, if you're going to go out on Black Friday, please be kind to the poor employees that are stuck dealing with angry shoppers.

App to Help Americans Get Black Friday Deals

If you're the kind of person who actually follows the 'theres an app for that' mentality, then you're in luck. BFAds has just dropped this app to help you spot deals that you want to pick up when Black Friday rolls around.

I haven't had a chance to review the app yet to see how well it works or what content has. One review on the Apple site says "Useless ads are NOT Black Friday and have no prices!" - but I'm sure that will change as the actual flyers for the day become available. We're still a bit far out from the actual date.

Also, if you're looking for Black Friday deals in Canada you're also likely to be out of luck. Canadian promotions are seldom the same as their American counterpart and BFAds seems to be focused on the (much larger) US market. I'll try to install the app in the next couple of days though and share my thoughts for my friends south of the border.

Cheers!

Canadian Malls to Open early this Black Friday

As I've said before, Black Friday is more of an American thing, but in recent years it's been catching on in Canada and online. This Ottawa Citizen article confirms that Canadian malls are deciding to get into the game.

People often forget that 90% of Canadians live withing 2 hours of the US border, so cross border shopping is common - especially when there is major discounts to be had. It looks like Ontario malls are going to try and slow down the travel and keep some of those holiday dollars for themselves by opening earlier and offering similar discounts on Black Friday.

The Cadillac Fairview management company (who oversee 9 malls in ontario) and Toronto's Eaton place have signed on to do promotions. Odds are that other large management companies and shopping centers will follow suit - if not this year, then soon.

Are you an investment person? This could be some Black Friday Tips for ya....

Have the natural disasters of late left you feeling like you need to make a quick dollar? Are you made of money and feel like investing?

Well, I might just have the answer for you. I found this article that may (or may not) show the stocks that are good choices during the Black Friday season. If you look at the chart you'll see that the best companies to invest in are those that are holiday oriented.  By that I mean electronics and furniture retailers - think things that people are otherwise too frugal to buy.

We'll do our best to find deals for Black Friday that actually help you save, as we know that the economy is tight. What are you looking for this holiday season? I've got nothing but time - so let me know what you're searching for and I will put the effort in to make sure you find the item you need for a happy holiday.

:)

Wal-mart Black Friday Walkout? Some reasons it could happen...

As I first pointed out in this post, America's biggest retailer could be facing a walk out on 2012's Black Friday. Since my days as a punk rocker left me with a passing interest in corporate politics, I decided to dig into the issue a bit further.

Wal-mart has always had an anti-union approach to their workforce. Rumor has it that they've even gone so far as to send informants into their work force and subtly bully leaders of unionization movements. While browsing around I found this article which states that as much as 80% of the Wal-mart work force is paid so little they require food stamps.

With Wal-mart sitting on 13 Billion dollars in profit last year, it gets a little easier to see how workers might get a bit pissed off. Why would they go to work on Black Friday when they couldn't imagine being able to afford the deals that they're helping to peddle?

It has to be hard to not feel powerless when facing this type of situation.

Macy's 'Leaks' their Black Friday Sales

Looks like another major store has 'leaked' their Black Friday sale information almost a month in advance. MSN Money reported that US retailer Macy's has let their sale plans slip out. Similar to other merchants, like Amazon and New Egg, the department store let the media in on what American's could look forward to saving their Lincon's on.

Typically, people don't pay much attention to the diversified retailers like Macy's on Black Friday or Cyber Monday and instead favor big ticket items like furniture and electronics. The MSN article notes that there is no 'one item' that could cause a crash on locations when Macy's opens its doors on Black Friday, but there may be enough to bring some increased revenue to an otherwise dull friday.

Personally, I would we could quit using the word 'leaked' for these types of things. A headline like 'Macy's starts to hype up its Black Friday Sale' would be considerably more accurate, but I guess we all want in on a good secret.

Black Friday Tip for Retailers

This one is for the store owners out there. Whether you shop is online or old fashioned "brick & mortor", if you're in it to win it you'll be having a Black Friday or Cyber Monday sale in some capacity. But what's the best way to make sure that people show up to spend their hard earned cash?

This article promised 5 hot tips for a small business owner, but I've narrowed it down to 2. The first is hold a Black Friday pre-party. In other words, don't put all the savings out in one day. By making solid offers in the days leading up to (or after) Black Friday you can reach the folks who just don't want to brave the crowds.

The second tip is to join forces with other retailers. Whether they are in your industry or your area, you should look for strategic partners to maximize your Black Friday revenue. For example, a pool company could partner with a retailer that sells life jackers - bad example I know.

Anyway, I know a few of you guys are business owners, so go out there and get that money!

Understand the terms before your big Deal purchase

I was surfing through the Consumerist when I saw this article on Black Friday & Cyber Monday. The first point made me think of my friend Janice. You need to realize that many big merchants change their return policies on Black Friday and Cyber Monday items.

Last year, Janice got a crazy good deal on a big (like 60 something inch) LCD television. It was something like 80% off the retail price. She stayed up all night at the electronics store, made the rush and got one of the 15 that were available.

Her excitement waned when she got home and it didn't fit well in here tiny apartment. It was hard to focus on one thing when watching TV because the screen was so big. She decided to take it back, only to be told that  on Black Friday, on items that deeply discounted, all sales are final.

Bright side of the story is she sold it on kijiji for more than what she paid for it :) That aside, always make sure that you understand the terms of sale when you're picking up bargains.

Black Friday Price Matching? Yes Please!

My biggest pet peeve with Black Friday shopping is that the deals are often only in limited quantities and therefore, hard to get. So when this article came across my Google reader, I thought I would share it with you guys.

It appears as though some major American retailers are going to start doing price matching as a part of their Black Friday Promotions. Could it be?

I read a Wall Street Journel Article piece the other day that said Best Buy was going to start doing online price matching and rumor has it that Target is also planning to do the same. The only downside that I can see is that giant retail chains often have their own specific brand models - so it is impossible to price match bigger ticket items. For example a TV model at Best buy might have an additional "-B" on the end of it, so when you try to do a price match they can say it is not the same product.

I guess we'll have to wait and see!

Wal-mart Could be Facing a Labour Issue this Black Friday

Bad news on the horizon this Black Friday for Wal-mart. North America's largest retailer is staring down the barrel of a major labour dispute. This Sandiego Press Article noted that the notoriously anti-union company has been affected by employee walk outs at 28 stores in 12 states.

Workers are fed up with poor working conditions and a lack of benefits and have decided to try and take action to hurt the retailer where it counts; the bottom line. Rumors are swirling as to how wide spread the walk out could go as other store employees hear the rally cry.

The group of employees that have walked out are saying they plan to also do so on November 23rd making Wal-mart's Black Friday even blacker. It's doubtful that Wal-mart will bend on the issue, as it would set a bad example that they would be forced to follow up with across the entire chain.

Musicians get into the action with Black Friday Releases

When you think about Black Friday, most people think of buying high end electronics or the latest new toys that the kids "NEED" to have. But according to this C.O.S. article musicians are starting to get in on the action, often releasing exclusive mixes and products for the November shopping spree.

According to the site, en vogue artists like Skrillex and The Gaslight Anthem are joining established (read repackaged) acts like Bob Dylan, the Velvet Underground and Nirvana to put out new packages of tunes. For the older artists, it seems as though Anniversary editions and vinyl records are the taste of the day.

So, if you don't feel like pushing your way through the lines at Wal-mart, you can grab some tunes thanks to Record Store day.

Black Friday Beer Fest just Made my Shopping List

Just when you think that Black Friday is just some garbage that big companies made up to get us spending, someone comes along and makes it more fun. According to this Tap Milwuakee post a local restaurant is serving up an alternative to the door crash specials other places are preparing.

Dubbed the Black Friday Beer fest the Harley Davidson Motor Restaurant has set up an event allowing customers an all you can drink experience for 3 hours this November 23rd. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased in advance.

If I lived in Milwuakee (or anywhere in the area) I'd consider ditching the hectic shopping experience for a brew or two.  How about you?

Saving for Netbook Computer this CyberMonday? Me Too!

I  tend to be pretty  rough with electronic gear. It's really kinda not a thing I've ever give a damn about since you can always get a better one for a deal through a Cyber Monday sale.

So, as far as I'm concerned, I may as well know that I will be buying a new piece of hardware annually. Last year, for example, I bought a 15 inch computer for cheap at Costco for under three hundred bucks and it wasn't even a door crasher.

When it's that cheap I don't see myself saying no. I get that you might say I'm wasteful, however I likebuying new things.

Designing a Shopping Strategy

This blog is centered around Black Friday sales, but since the event only happens once annually it is somewhat difficult to find things to talk about.

Today I'm going to ask you guys for comments as to how to guarantee that you get the best deals on Black Friday. I like to try to avoid the early morning wait in line as I just won't be troubled by the hassle of it all just to save a couple bucks on some electronics.

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

Greetings All!

Hi Everyone!

My name is Stan & I am passionate about saving money. This blog is going to be my home for great shopping tips and interesting news about Black Friday.

For those of you unfamiliar with what Black Friday is, I will give you a brief history or you can read about it on Wikipedia. Essentially, it is a North American day of marketing and cheap deals to ramp consumers up to the holiday season.

Similar to Boxing Day, Black Friday has tons of blow out sales and loss leaders that big brands like Best Buy, Wal-mart and others use to get customers in the door. Since research has shown that placing the best deals near the back of the store will cause customers to buy more as they walk to the checkouts, it is an easy sell for the retailer.

Anyway, stay tuned and thanks for coming by.