Why wait to shop on Black Friday?
You don't have to wait until Black Friday to snag those great prices if you know where to look.
This post comes from Melinda Fulmer of MSN Money.
The old retail tradition of queuing up for bargains in the wee hours of Black Friday may finally be on its way out. First, pajama-clad online shopping stole some of the retail thunder. Now retailers are offering many of their Black Friday door-busters weeks ahead of time -- no inconvenience necessary.
Some are offering advance deals to their most loyal shoppers. Target is giving access to some of its door-busters to its REDcard holders on Nov. 21, according to a Dealnews roundup. And Sears is allowing its Shop Your Way members early access to Black Friday prices after 6 p.m. on Nov. 18.
But you don't have to be a member to snag some of the Black Friday ad deals.
Target is already allowing Facebook fans to snag some of its Black Friday deals through a price-guessing game on its page.
And a GE washer and dryer that Home Depot has advertised on Black Friday, for $350 each, were going for $280 apiece at Sears' Friends and Family sale after using a coupon, says Michael Brim of BFads.net.
Similarly, the new Google Nexus tablet advertised for $229 in many Black Friday ads was available this weekend at the same price -- or even lower. EBay's Daily Deals and Office Max were carrying it for $229. Staples had it for $199 but with less memory, says Brad Olson of BlackFriday.Gottadeal.com.
And that $1,299, 27-cubic-foot French door Kenmore refrigerator that I had my eye on in a Sears Black Friday ad (only two to a store!)? It turns out it wasn't such a rare deal either. Kmart had a similar-size Kenmore French door fridge on sale this past weekend for $1,237 after a 10%-off coupon. At that price, why bother with the crowds?
"I think stores are keeping a lot of their really hot deals for the month following Black Friday," given how early Thanksgiving comes this year, Olson says. And, to be sure, the first weeks of December are when the steepest discounts are usually found, retail analysts say.
The only reason you need to head out on Black Friday is if you find one spectacular blockbuster you can't find anywhere else at a similar price. And that is a rare find these days.
The large majority of Black Friday ad deals will be available online beginning Wednesday, Nov. 21, Brim says.
More on MSN Money:
- Toys R Us Black Friday ad leaked
- Macy's Black Friday ad leaked
- Wal-Mart leaks its Black Friday ad
- Smart Spending on the go: Get our app for Android or iPhone
- 8 ways Black Friday is changing
- Target's Black Friday ad is out
people Need to just get over themselves! DO something good helps someone out, and enjoy black Friday too!
I'm gonna resort to a good old fashioned christmas this year.... Ya know the kind i'm talking about where ya make your kids toys.... My son will just love his Iphone (a wooden block with some stickers on it) I think I can make my girlfriend a blank/rug duster too....
LOLZ ok i'm just kiddin around, but still the pickens around here are gonna slim, kinda like my christmas presents for the past 25 years....
Prosperity is using money you don't have, to buy things you don't need, to impress people you don't like!!!
To Hell with Black Friday and all materialism. Buy a single "family" gift, spend a few $$$ on a good feed, spend quality time together, eat -drink-and make merry, and embrace the spirit of Christmas!!! For an extra warm feeling- help one or more strangers who are in need!
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