Bogleheads, any "Black Friday" [recommendations]
-
- Posts: 241
- Joined: Wed Jul 23, 2014 4:45 pm
- Location: Philadelphia PA
Bogleheads, any "Black Friday" [recommendations]
so the holiday shopping season is about to explode into full gear.
any deals folks have their eye on?
I have young adult college students so while they don't want a lot lol, what they do want tends to be pricey. New game systems, cell phones stuff like that.
I haven't done the black Friday craziness since my sons were very, very young and since I hate crowds with a passion I'm not about to go out there but I do love a bargain.
Anybody got their eye on a good deal?
any deals folks have their eye on?
I have young adult college students so while they don't want a lot lol, what they do want tends to be pricey. New game systems, cell phones stuff like that.
I haven't done the black Friday craziness since my sons were very, very young and since I hate crowds with a passion I'm not about to go out there but I do love a bargain.
Anybody got their eye on a good deal?
"He who dies with the most toys is still, nonetheless dead"
-
- Posts: 62
- Joined: Fri Jul 06, 2012 8:33 pm
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
I have been eying some vacuum cleaners and I desperately need a new one, I have a number in mind and if there are specials I will pull the trigger. That is all. Hate the stores will have to be online.
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
The only Black Friday tradition I observe when I am in Oregon (rather than visiting SoCal) is the Freddie's half-price sock sale. It's a popular tradition here. The Fred Meyer stores (now owned by Kroger) sell almost all socks at half off until around noon. The aisles are filled with cases and cases of all kinds of socks. I was home in OR last year and managed to restock my supply of socks that was depleted after several consecutive holidays in SoCal.
Generally Black Friday marks the start of my "shopping mall avoidance" season, which ends after Dec 25.
Generally Black Friday marks the start of my "shopping mall avoidance" season, which ends after Dec 25.
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
I will probably pick up the latest iPad with the deals offered. The resale of last years is so decent, that why not upgrade. It a device to use all the time anyway.
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
Shopping online is a lot simpler for me. Have recently found good prices at Sierra Trading Post with emails of 40% off their sale prices plus free shipping. This is mainly clothing and other fabric items.
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
The WSJ had an article showing the dates for the best deals. They weren't just Black Friday last year.
Today at Best Buy I picked up a laptop (for a present) that went on sale. It was on sale about 3 weeks ago at the same price but then went "off sale". The retailers know this game better then most of us.
Today at Best Buy I picked up a laptop (for a present) that went on sale. It was on sale about 3 weeks ago at the same price but then went "off sale". The retailers know this game better then most of us.
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
I use gottadeal.com for researching Black Friday deals and they have listings of what deals are also available online for Black Friday. Searched a little there and today's woot.com deal of the day is a factory refurb Shark NV500-FS for $100 + $5 shipping. Also showed that Kohl's will have lots of vacuums on special for Black Friday - you can see the BF prices now on the Kohl's site.CherylHall wrote:I have been eying some vacuum cleaners and I desperately need a new one, I have a number in mind and if there are specials I will pull the trigger. That is all. Hate the stores will have to be online.
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
I am keeping an eye on Microsoft surface tablets. I will check during cyber Monday.
"The two most important days in someone's life are the day that they are born and the day they discover why." -John Maxwell
-
- Posts: 6372
- Joined: Fri May 13, 2011 6:27 pm
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
I'm taking grandson to zoo
John
John
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
I plan on staying home with my cat and reading novels, and celebrating Buy Nothing Day.
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
I don't see why BHs should not due Black Friday, even if it means doing it online to avoid the crowds. The deals are real, and usually the best of the year. I tend to save up a bunch of purchases that can wait until Thanksgiving season to take advantage of the deals, but I still don't impulse buy on Black Friday.
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
Yeah, last time I shopped in person on something like Black Friday was as a child when my mother made me go with her. Probably the day after Christmas.
But I've done online sales for several years.
Unfortunately, I think the online sales used to be great on BF itself, but have spread out to start maybe at the beginning of the week, and starting again sometime before Christmas, ending around Jan 1. If there's something in particular you want, there might not be a good price for it on the day of BF.
But I've done online sales for several years.
Unfortunately, I think the online sales used to be great on BF itself, but have spread out to start maybe at the beginning of the week, and starting again sometime before Christmas, ending around Jan 1. If there's something in particular you want, there might not be a good price for it on the day of BF.
- nisiprius
- Advisory Board
- Posts: 52110
- Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2007 9:33 am
- Location: The terrestrial, globular, planetary hunk of matter, flattened at the poles, is my abode.--O. Henry
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
If only Vanguard offered Vanguard mutual funds and ETFs with no commissions or transaction charges on Black Friday, I'd buy them.
Oh, wait, they do.
Oh, wait, they do.
Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen nineteen and six, result happiness; Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery.
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
Where are the IPad deals?sambb wrote:I will probably pick up the latest iPad with the deals offered. The resale of last years is so decent, that why not upgrade. It a device to use all the time anyway.
And where are you reselling?
- Nestegg_User
- Posts: 2109
- Joined: Wed Aug 05, 2009 1:26 pm
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
Nisi... must be popular... as Schwab does on some of theirs toonisiprius wrote:If only Vanguard offered Vanguard mutual funds and ETFs with no commissions or transaction charges on Black Friday, I'd buy them.
Oh, wait, they do.
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
I've done "Black Friday" for the last two years. Two years ago it was a 3DS, Steam Mop, and that was about it (single store, long wait). Last year, I got bed sheets for 50% off at Target. Going on Friday isn't bad at all if the store was open on Thursday. You just have to hope they have one of the item you want in stock. For example, when I bought the bed sheets, I just bought 4 of whatever color, and then took them back 2 weeks later for the color I wanted.
This year, I think I'm going to skip on Black Friday, as no stores have any sales for items I'm looking for. I told my wife I want to buy new towels on Black Friday, but she doesn't seem interested, so we haven't really looked into it so I'm probably not going. I'll probably read the Black Friday ads on Thanksgiving just to double check.
I've actually bought 90% of my gifts already via a combination of Amazon, Target, ToysRus, and Ebay, getting the best price from each of them. (sometimes saving over 30% compared to where I first saw the item). For example, ToysRus was cheaper than Amazon for the PlayDoh sets I bought by ~50%, Target was cheapest for some of my daughters toys, and Amazon was cheapest for most of the rest.
This year, I think I'm going to skip on Black Friday, as no stores have any sales for items I'm looking for. I told my wife I want to buy new towels on Black Friday, but she doesn't seem interested, so we haven't really looked into it so I'm probably not going. I'll probably read the Black Friday ads on Thanksgiving just to double check.
I've actually bought 90% of my gifts already via a combination of Amazon, Target, ToysRus, and Ebay, getting the best price from each of them. (sometimes saving over 30% compared to where I first saw the item). For example, ToysRus was cheaper than Amazon for the PlayDoh sets I bought by ~50%, Target was cheapest for some of my daughters toys, and Amazon was cheapest for most of the rest.
- XtremeSki2001
- Posts: 1733
- Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2007 1:28 pm
- Location: New York
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
I am doing Black Friday, but only to buy beer that happens to be released on Black Friday. It is very good and worth the effort (Goose Island Bourbon County Stout).
A box of rain will ease the pain and love will see you through
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
I would suggest people look here for tech deals, since it's my favorite place to check. Amazon is also obviously always good to look at on an ongoing basis. There are also other places with the full collection of paper ads scanned in, just google "Black Friday store ads" and you should be able to easily find them.
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
I found a deal on a TV earlier in the month that I couldn't pass up, and I've yet to see a Black Friday deal that is better, other than a stand on line during Thanksgiving doorbuster.
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
Spend my time fighting the masses for supposed deals on consumer junk? I think not. I'm taking the dog for a walk and getting together with friends for good home-cooked food & good times.
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
Last 2 years I ventured out in my small town to pick up 4 large packages of eveready batterys at a Rural King. $10 each with a $10 rebate. I probably will give them away this year as I still have quite a few left from prior years. Maybe they'll expand beyond AA and AAA. The other item I hope to again have available this year are 20% discounted gift cards offered by a local grocery chain. These are not for the grocery per se, but the ones for other retailers as well as those branded by a couple of major CCs.
My spouse does however enjoy going to a nearby large city. Years ago I tagged along a few times but do not enjoy doing so.
My spouse does however enjoy going to a nearby large city. Years ago I tagged along a few times but do not enjoy doing so.
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
Absolutely NOT! I abhor consumerism 100% even without our culture pushing people to buy.
Going for my daily hike or the gym to work off that turkey and think about what some in my family really need.
Going for my daily hike or the gym to work off that turkey and think about what some in my family really need.
Never in the history of market day-traders’ has the obsession with so much massive, sophisticated, & powerful statistical machinery used by the brightest people on earth with such useless results.
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
Looking for a deal on a new camera I would like to add but it will be online or will be after xmas. No rush.
-
- Posts: 2311
- Joined: Sat Apr 09, 2011 6:28 am
- Location: Chicago North Shore
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
95% of Black Friday "deals" are just smoke and mirrors. Not actual deals at all, just products designed and marketed to capture the frenzy of the day.
I bought a refrigerator a few years ago the Monday before Thanksgiving. On Black Friday, the same refrigerator was on sale for $150 more than I paid, and it stayed that price most of the holiday season. Glad I bought it early.
I bought a refrigerator a few years ago the Monday before Thanksgiving. On Black Friday, the same refrigerator was on sale for $150 more than I paid, and it stayed that price most of the holiday season. Glad I bought it early.
An elephant for a dime is only a good deal if you need an elephant and have a dime.
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
Why not a "Bogleheads Dot Org Support Week" [?]
The start of the holidays is a good time to support the operating cost of the Bogleheads forum. If you are shopping in Amazon dot com during Black Friday and Cyber Monday you can help by using the link provided below to access the website.
Information on supporting this site: http://www.bogleheads.org/support.htm
Link to Amazon dot com: http://www.amazon.com/s/?search-alias=a ... Bogleheads
Previous conversations on this subject are listed below.
Conversation on operating cost of this forum: http://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtop ... st=2205850
Conversation on supporting the operating cost of the forum: http://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtop ... st=2205821
The start of the holidays is a good time to support the operating cost of the Bogleheads forum. If you are shopping in Amazon dot com during Black Friday and Cyber Monday you can help by using the link provided below to access the website.
Information on supporting this site: http://www.bogleheads.org/support.htm
Link to Amazon dot com: http://www.amazon.com/s/?search-alias=a ... Bogleheads
Previous conversations on this subject are listed below.
Conversation on operating cost of this forum: http://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtop ... st=2205850
Conversation on supporting the operating cost of the forum: http://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtop ... st=2205821
~ Member of the Active Retired Force since 2014 ~
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
Traveling
"One does not accumulate but eliminate. It is not daily increase but daily decrease. The height of cultivation always runs to simplicity" –Bruce Lee
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
I won't go to a store, but online (many on Monday, some on Friday) and check what I need:
micro-SD card (many on sale), Large SSD drive (if 1TB at a great price might replace my 256GB),
4K UltraHD monitor 27 inches or larger (probably not until next year for the price I want to pay),
plus several other items.
I know the regular price; if I don't see the price I want I will wait. There is no hurry. Technology
prices RARELY go up.
micro-SD card (many on sale), Large SSD drive (if 1TB at a great price might replace my 256GB),
4K UltraHD monitor 27 inches or larger (probably not until next year for the price I want to pay),
plus several other items.
I know the regular price; if I don't see the price I want I will wait. There is no hurry. Technology
prices RARELY go up.
-
- Posts: 27
- Joined: Tue May 15, 2012 8:45 am
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
I struggle to understand the economics of Black Friday. Is it a case of just a few heavily discounted deals to lure in shoppers? What is the economic incentive for stores to offer discounts in the lead-in to the biggest shopping season, when presumably demand is highest? In the UK they have sales the day after Christmas, which at least makes sense in that shops need to get rid of excess stock.
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
+1 skip the TV, go for the beer!XtremeSki2001 wrote:I am doing Black Friday, but only to buy beer that happens to be released on Black Friday. It is very good and worth the effort (Goose Island Bourbon County Stout).
The deal is that you can buy it, it'll be a pricy day for me.
- gardemanger
- Posts: 282
- Joined: Sun Oct 13, 2013 4:06 pm
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
No, hate crowds, don't do Christmas shopping ("experience gifts" only in my family - we're all adults and need more "stuff" like we need holes in our respective heads.)
However, I might take advantage of Small Business Saturday to get a few $10 credits toward items that I'm in the market for anyway, at small businesses that I already patronize anyway, within walking/bus distance of my home. For instance, the absolutely stellar Fante's Kitchen Shop is participating and I need a new teapot.
However, I might take advantage of Small Business Saturday to get a few $10 credits toward items that I'm in the market for anyway, at small businesses that I already patronize anyway, within walking/bus distance of my home. For instance, the absolutely stellar Fante's Kitchen Shop is participating and I need a new teapot.
- House Blend
- Posts: 4877
- Joined: Fri May 04, 2007 1:02 pm
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
My Black Friday is for giving, not buying.
I do most of my charitable contributions for the year on that day.
But this year I jumped the gun and sent a large donation to the local food bank today.
I do most of my charitable contributions for the year on that day.
But this year I jumped the gun and sent a large donation to the local food bank today.
-
- Posts: 690
- Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:14 am
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
I think the term "doorbusters" gives a basic, initial understanding. Stores will offer sales on certain items to get customers in the door (or to get/keep customers on their retail sales site, like Amazon.com). They hope to profit more on the other purchases these customers make.davidm1982 wrote:I struggle to understand the economics of Black Friday. Is it a case of just a few heavily discounted deals to lure in shoppers? What is the economic incentive for stores to offer discounts in the lead-in to the biggest shopping season, when presumably demand is highest? In the UK they have sales the day after Christmas, which at least makes sense in that shops need to get rid of excess stock.
But retail sales strategies are pretty complex, and retailers are trying to get you to buy stuff every day, not just certain times of the year. As a result, I agree with others than even these Black Friday "doorbusters" don't usually seem to be the best prices of the year, and I can't imagine that shopping in person on Black Friday is much fun for most people.
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
It may not seem like fun, but to many people it is. People who are on a tight budget for Christmas are often willing to do a lot of research and get up in the middle of the night to save a few dollars on a doorbuster item. It's like a quest. They map out a sequence of what stores to visit, they bring friends so they can be in multiple lines if needed, and they know a real deal from one that's not. And if they save a couple hundred for their efforts, that's a big win for them.
I asked one hardcore Black Friday shopper why she doesn't simply do everything online. I got an earful. "I do both. I have my tablet with me so I can scan Amazon lightning deals from both their website and their app while I might be in line at a store for a deal I can't get online. Did you know that Amazon deals are different between the website and their app? If you try grabbing limited deals online, you better log in to your account the day before and make sure all your profile information and credit card is still accurate. Then if you get a hot item in your cart, check out immediately and don't look around for other items or the item you wanted might end up sold out before you finish your checkout. Know what stores have great online deals and when they are offered so if you miss out you can try to get it on Amazon and do a pricematch..." It went on for quite a while. There are serious Black Friday shopping strategies being applied.
I asked one hardcore Black Friday shopper why she doesn't simply do everything online. I got an earful. "I do both. I have my tablet with me so I can scan Amazon lightning deals from both their website and their app while I might be in line at a store for a deal I can't get online. Did you know that Amazon deals are different between the website and their app? If you try grabbing limited deals online, you better log in to your account the day before and make sure all your profile information and credit card is still accurate. Then if you get a hot item in your cart, check out immediately and don't look around for other items or the item you wanted might end up sold out before you finish your checkout. Know what stores have great online deals and when they are offered so if you miss out you can try to get it on Amazon and do a pricematch..." It went on for quite a while. There are serious Black Friday shopping strategies being applied.
- JMacDonald
- Posts: 2386
- Joined: Mon Feb 19, 2007 4:53 pm
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
No, I already have way too much stuff. I really need to start getting rid of some of it.
Best Wishes, |
Joe
-
- Posts: 2311
- Joined: Sat Apr 09, 2011 6:28 am
- Location: Chicago North Shore
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
My MIL used to do Black Friday. We ended up with tons of useless crap. Fleece blankets, towels that shed and bled color, crappy TVs. I'd take one well-picked gift over a pile of junk anyday.prudent wrote:It may not seem like fun, but to many people it is. People who are on a tight budget for Christmas are often willing to do a lot of research and get up in the middle of the night to save a few dollars on a doorbuster item. It's like a quest. They map out a sequence of what stores to visit, they bring friends so they can be in multiple lines if needed, and they know a real deal from one that's not. And if they save a couple hundred for their efforts, that's a big win for them.
I asked one hardcore Black Friday shopper why she doesn't simply do everything online. I got an earful. "I do both. I have my tablet with me so I can scan Amazon lightning deals from both their website and their app while I might be in line at a store for a deal I can't get online. Did you know that Amazon deals are different between the website and their app? If you try grabbing limited deals online, you better log in to your account the day before and make sure all your profile information and credit card is still accurate. Then if you get a hot item in your cart, check out immediately and don't look around for other items or the item you wanted might end up sold out before you finish your checkout. Know what stores have great online deals and when they are offered so if you miss out you can try to get it on Amazon and do a pricematch..." It went on for quite a while. There are serious Black Friday shopping strategies being applied.
I just perused the Kohls BF ad... all crap. Most of it is lesser quality than what you'd normally find at Kohls.
An elephant for a dime is only a good deal if you need an elephant and have a dime.
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
We are doing black Friday but not for any specific purchase, my wife enjoys the experience and it's a tradition for her. We have a babysitter and will spent the night out looking for good deals, it's basically a date.
-
- Posts: 1133
- Joined: Thu Apr 21, 2011 11:58 pm
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
Bought a new Aeron chair to replace my 14 year-old one, which needs to be replaced. Comes with 12 year warranty. 15% off at both Herman Miller online and their Design Within Reach stores. Saved about $150.
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
I've never shopped the day after Thanksgiving. However, I used to always shop the day after Christmas, buying gifts at deep discounts for the following year, but not any more. Now, I usually give "experiences", such as live theater tickets, or concert tickets, yoga classes, golf lessons, or similar instead of material things that most people don't need.
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
+1lululu wrote:I plan on staying home with my cat and reading novels, and celebrating Buy Nothing Day.
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
Batteries don't stay charged forever.Carl53 wrote:Last 2 years I ventured out in my small town to pick up 4 large packages of eveready batterys at a Rural King. $10 each with a $10 rebate. I probably will give them away this year as I still have quite a few left from prior years.
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
This is actually how I've bought ~90% of my holiday decorations (not just Christmas). I do some shopping ahead of time as shopping after often gives you slim pickings for lower quality stuff.Gnirk wrote:I've never shopped the day after Thanksgiving. However, I used to always shop the day after Christmas, buying gifts at deep discounts for the following year, but not any more. Now, I usually give "experiences", such as live theater tickets, or concert tickets, yoga classes, golf lessons, or similar instead of material things that most people don't need.
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
I've never been, but would like to give it a try. I always work the day after thanksgiving, and shopping all morning, getting home at 10am and sleeping sounds like a good day. My only problem is that there is never anything on sale that I want.
- pennstater2005
- Posts: 2509
- Joined: Wed Apr 11, 2012 8:50 pm
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
From my couch, maybe the chair, possibly from bed
“If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments.” – Earl Wilson
-
- Posts: 5564
- Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2012 10:54 am
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
The only thing I plan on buying is ingredients for turkey noodle soup or gas to get to the mountains for some backcountry skiing if the snow is good.
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
I finished my Christmas shopping today. Took about 2 hours on Amazon. In my underwear and a nice warm bathrobe.
-
- Posts: 3181
- Joined: Mon Feb 26, 2007 4:33 pm
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
No need to buy anything here, have latest TVs and computers, am not a smart phone junkie. I am retired, so the projected 9 inch snow storm on Wednesday probably will tire me out and make things messy outside. So I will probably have twice the beers allowed by my doctor on Black Friday, that is 2.
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
No, I usually stay at home that day. I have enough stuff, I don't buy things just because they are a "crazy deal", I buy them when I want and need them. And I have everything I need/want at the moment.
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
For the past several years of Black Friday events I have promised myself a Xmas gift of a new TV for the bedroom.
My plan has been to scope out a fantastic deal for a 30 or 32-inch flat screen to replace the ancient 13-inch set as soon as the 13-inch set starts to fail.
Unfortunately, my plan is thwarted every year. The TV (a Magnovox model) continues to go along, operating perfectly, with no sign of failing, despite its 20-year plus age, and getting very heavy use.
It is just sacrilege (to me) to replace this TV when it is still working fine, no matter how tempting these below $200 prices are for a new one. Every year I just move TV table a little closer to the bed to make up for failing eyesight on my part. No failures on part of the TV. Hmmmmm
Maybe this will be the year my ship will come in and the old TV will go out........ sure hope so.
My plan has been to scope out a fantastic deal for a 30 or 32-inch flat screen to replace the ancient 13-inch set as soon as the 13-inch set starts to fail.
Unfortunately, my plan is thwarted every year. The TV (a Magnovox model) continues to go along, operating perfectly, with no sign of failing, despite its 20-year plus age, and getting very heavy use.
It is just sacrilege (to me) to replace this TV when it is still working fine, no matter how tempting these below $200 prices are for a new one. Every year I just move TV table a little closer to the bed to make up for failing eyesight on my part. No failures on part of the TV. Hmmmmm
Maybe this will be the year my ship will come in and the old TV will go out........ sure hope so.
- Crimsontide
- Posts: 729
- Joined: Fri Oct 25, 2013 5:32 pm
- Location: DFW Metromess
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
Not only no, heck no. Although, I do love watching the videos of the knuckheads fighting over the $40 Bluray DVD players at Wally Mart
Re: Bogleheads, anyone doing "Black Friday"
Buy Nothing Day, my favorite day of the year