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.