Black Friday predictions…and myths
If it seems a little early to be talking about Black Friday, I completely agree, but a few recent stories forced me to jump in the chatter.
Earlier this week an article appeared on WSJ.com revealing Black Friday deals are a myth. Many best buys on holiday items are actually available in October, the story says.
Based on two to six years’ worth of pricing data for holiday gifts ranging from Barbie dolls to blenders to HDTVs, researchers at consumer website Decide.com found most of the best prices posted before or after Black Friday.
The data did not include in-store prices which vary from city to city, so it didn’t factor in the limited quantity “doorbuster” items that draw shoppers into stores. But still…
At the same time, Dealnews.com released its 2012 Black Friday predictions suggesting that Black Friday will bring solid deals on 42″ HDTV’s, certain laptops, apparel and toys.
Almost 70 percent of respondents in a WSJ.com survey said you couldn’t pay them to go out on Black Friday.
So it all got me thinking…is this the end of Black Friday as we know it or can you still get a great deal?
Will you be going out to shop on Black Friday this year? What deals are you looking for and what is your plan to make sure it’s the best deal you can get?
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– Nedra Rhone, for the Atlanta Bargain Hunter blog
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12 comments Add your comment
mystery poster
October 10th, 2012
9:51 am
Count me among those who would NEVER go out on Black Friday.
Ricky
October 10th, 2012
10:11 am
I avoid Black Friday because I can’t deal with the long lines, crazy early morning hours, and the whole madness of the day. I actually find that I got my best deals on Cyber Monday. I was able to get a $200 camera for $49 and then received a rebate for $10. Not bad for a 30 minute shopping trip from the comfort of my home.
brandi
October 10th, 2012
10:36 am
I will be going out on black friday, but only for the deals that I know that I can’t beat any other time. Some of the outlet stores offer 50% off plus $25.00 gift certificates for every $100.00 you spend. Also, the doorbusters, if you stand in line early enough are too good to pass up. We usually have a group that goes and we spread out among the city to get to the stores that we need and we usually get everything that we need. I love the craziness, however if I don’t see that the deals are worth it, I wont go. Every year so far, the deals have been worth it.
southpaw
October 10th, 2012
10:54 am
My wife and I went out on one Black Friday. That one experience was enough for us. Almost endless standing line for a good deal on a DVD player–which worked for about six months. Either I’ll be going to work, or we’ll sleep in and not venture out until the afternoon.
momster
October 10th, 2012
11:03 am
I’ll be in the mob, lol. I head out for the doorbusters and leave my other “sale” shopping for another day. When the stores opened at 6am, I would be home by noon…even after hitting 6-7 stores and dealing with crowds. With earlier start times, I get home even earlier!
banshee29
October 10th, 2012
11:20 am
I will be deer hunting and eating leftovers. Leave the madness for the crazies..
Nedra Rhone
October 10th, 2012
12:52 pm
Hmmm. seems like opinions here support that 70%. Maybe this response emailed from a Canadian reader can give a little perspective:
“I have been to Black Friday sales in the US now for approx. 10 years. I have noticed “deals” online. But the “Doorbuster Deals” and Black Friday sales in general are still worth while.
My wife and I do our Christmas Shopping on Black Friday. I personnally think the “resistance” from people in general is from the “big lines” that form outside the stores, and then the “Madhouse” effect that happens afterwards.
About 6 years now, I have been “camping” outside BestBuy, and let me tell you, it is civilized nothing like we see on TV.
I wouldn’t have it any other way. Beats the prices we have in Canada.”
Melis0726
October 10th, 2012
1:16 pm
I agree the best deals are not on Black Friday but in the summer month’s when people are not really shopping for toys and October when people are busy shopping for Halloween. This also opens the door for people that sell on Ebay to go in and take the hottest toys off the shelf before the season so they can make money during Christmas. Personally I shop before Black Friday and put it on Lay-a-way. This also gives me time to shop for the best price and most stores will adjust the price if the price is reduced before Christmas.
Black Friday predictions…and myths | News Blogger Community
October 10th, 2012
1:26 pm
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kt
October 10th, 2012
1:53 pm
I go out on Black friday just for the experience, its a tradition w/me, my mom & my sister, & we have breakfast afterwards. If I have a particular item that I want I will go to that particular store to get it, although I am not one to stand in line for doorbusters, I will get it once the crowd has thinned out some. Last year we stood in line at Wal-mart to get my niece a Barbie Jeep of course they were all gone w/in 10 mins but we had fun laughing at ppl in the crowd, that was a one time thing & I won’t be doing that again.
NoGo
October 11th, 2012
12:35 pm
I never go out on black friday with all that half–crazed rif raf looking to save $50 on a bluray player or $100 on a TV. I sleep in and buy the same stuff on sale locally or online. It’s all marketing hype and chumps buy into it every year.
Nedra Rhone
October 11th, 2012
1:05 pm
@Melis0726 Nice strategy — use layaway to reserve what you want when it’s available then negotiate a lower price closer to holidays!