Black Friday: Did you shop? Deal?

[poundwise]

So, even though it seemed that early indications were that most of us would not shop today, how many of us actually did? Was there a deal that was too good to pass up? Did you go with friends or family?

Though I have never shopped on Black Friday (when did they start calling it that anyway?), I was actually tempted to do so by some of the 'early bird' deals. Specifically, Best Buy was offering a laptop computer for $249. I don't know what kind of computer, processor, etc. but still, tempting. There were a few other offers: leather jackets, coffee makers, etc., nonetheless, I stayed tucked in all nice and warm in my bed until after 8am this morning and have no intentions of going shopping anywhere.

What about you?

[rduell]

Re: Black Friday: Did you shop? Deal?

I didn't get up until almost 8 a.m. and have no plans to go anywhere near a store today.

We're going back up to my parents' to see my brother again.

[sakigt]

Re: Black Friday: Did you shop? Deal?

Up by 6am, but that was so I could be at work by 7am.

Chickened out and didnt go to the outlet malls at 5am like I was planning on. Gap is only 30% off and theres a friends and family coupon going around for that amount anyways, so why bother.

[Ima saver]

Re: Black Friday: Did you shop? Deal?

Not me, I have no plans to shop today! There is nothing we need.

[Smj29]

Re: Black Friday: Did you shop? Deal?

I had ever intention of going shopping bright & early this morning, well it may not have been bright, but definately early. Of course last night I decided that I did not need anything that bad. I got up this AM, logged onto Bestbuy.com and picked up a portable dvd player & case, portable photo printer, and a digital camera. I got everything on my previous list except the GPS unit. Oh well...

[Broken Arrow]

Re: Black Friday: Did you shop? Deal?

I'm at work, taking a break. Yay overtime.

[doodles44]

Re: Black Friday: Did you shop? Deal?

I was up at 6:30 a.m. shopping with a quick stop to Target (which is less than 2 minutes from my house). I purchased three and a half gifts there for $58 because of the good deal they had on CDs and DVDs. I was quite under budget for all of these items and I'm pleased with my purchase. Target was crowded but not overly crazy.

My theory for shopping on Black Friday is it's okay as long as you are going to plan what you're purchasing. I was tempted not to pick up other things for myself (as I've done in years past) but was able to come in and get just what I came for.

I put the purchase on my rewards credit card and have planned to set aside money in December to cover these purchases (bill due in Jan).

[nanamom]

Re: Black Friday: Did you shop? Deal?

i have never gone shopping on "Black Friday" before today. My DH got up at 4 AM and got to Sears in time to get a free $10.00 gift card. Then he headed over to Bible study at 6:00 as usual. He then went to work. When DS2 and I got up we called and he told me he had one for me to pick up. It had to be used today. I bought a toy for DS2 that was on sale for 10.00 (from 12.99) and ended up paying under 1.50 for it. We will give it to him next summer when we buy DH a big one like it for the new house. It's a edge trimmer for lawns. Next we went to the Lighthouse because I had a 50% off coupon. There were two things I wanted but they only had one so I got it and saved 25.00. I still have a 40% off one for when the other item comes in. We stopped at Walgreens to drop off film and pick up prescription stuff for DS2 (found out our plan has changed, now we have a copay. Considering how often I use this stuff on him I may just stop getting it unless he really needs it. The drug store is 24 hours so we can go get it anytime) They had an electric razor on sale I can tuck into a grandsons stocking (he asked for one) While we were there I found a game I have been looking for since DS2 was 2. I had one when my DS and DD were small and really liked it but couldnt' even find it online. Even though he is now 3 and beyond it I bought it. I hope to have more little ones around and who knows if I'll ever see it again! This one gets saved for a long time!!! Then to Shopko for games on sale. I also had a rebate coupon for some of the same games. I bought 7 games some on sale and some not. They were out of some but that's ok I like not getting up at the crack of dawn! Those are for the 7 grandkids waiting for us in heaven. We will donate them to Toys for Tots. While we were there DS2 picked out gifts for the Christmas Star we took off the tree. I matched his age and he made some cool choices. I was pleased with what he suggested. from there we went to the mall where the playground is. I had a $10.00 off any item over 10.00 at Younkers and figured it was worth looking around. You couldn't use it on the big sales items, only on "normal" priced things. We stopped and picked up DH for lunch on the way. We found an item that was a spluge for me but really cool. It was 30, on sale for 20 and we got 10 off of that. I can now make 3 dimentional cutout cookies. DH was really thrilled when we found it. Then we ate lunch and played and headed home for nap. So yes, I went I shopped but I think I did pretty well. All but the last splurge were things were going to get but got at a better price so I guess I did OK. I may try this again next year!

[shelbylovesmelby]

Re: Black Friday: Did you shop? Deal?

nope didn't shop @ all as the only one around here opening early was wal-mart & they had videos on deep discount but dh would have to leave 1 hr for work after they opened so that means I'd have to grab what I wanted, decide what I could afford, & get home in under an hour so I could take over w/ the kiddo's.

I did see some things on the black friday lists but during some research on various sites....tv's in my price range were a big thumbs down.

[cicy33]

Re: Black Friday: Did you shop? Deal?

nope, didn't go and it felt really weird. I have gone the past two years but there was nothing that enticed me to get up that early. kinda wish I had but only because I miss the excitement

[Bookie]

Re: Black Friday: Did you shop? Deal?

Funny thing about that. I got a call from a friend last night wanting me to do Black Friday at the mall. He had never experienced the event and felt culturally deprived.

So we went a-malling in the chill darkness of the early morn. Spent a couple of hours wandering and people-watching. Bought nothing, wanted nothing. I did get a free cup of coffee out of the excursion.

One thing I noticed was how few people were carrying purchases. They may have been shopping, but they weren't buying. It was more like a reconnoitering expedition. My guess is that mall stores have trained shoppers to expect price drops as Christmas approaches, and people are going to wait and see what develops.

[Cheetahwoman7]

Re: Black Friday: Did you shop? Deal?

I debated a long time before finally deciding to venture out. Home Depot had a good deal on a 32" LCD HDTV for $478 that I really wanted to get as a Christmas present for my Pop. I don't even have one of those!!! It was a rebadged Panasonic and came with high reviews.

Four-thirty A.M. my alarm went off and I was up and out of the house in 20 minutes. While passing Best Buy to get to Home Depot, I could see that there wasn't even any parking in their lot as cars drove round and round! By the time I got to Home Depot, I thought there would be a ton of people in line. Lo and behold, only about five were out there waiting in the frosty cold. At 6 a.m., when they opened, there were like 50. Not too bad considering what I've seen in the past.

I had no problems getting what I came for, although I had a tough time deciding if I wanted to get a second TV for myself. After grabbing an extra, I decided to put it back as I knew I just didn't need it.

Anyway, here's how my purchases went:

Home Depot
32" Element HDTV -$478
12 gallon Ridgid wet dry vac-$27

Walgreens
4- 50 oz. liquid Tide $1.99 each - $7.96

RiteAid
Memorex ProScan DVD player-$34.99 (-$20 in rebates) $14.99

Long's Drugs
3-JettPuff Marshmallow Cream-.88 each =$2.64

Sub-Total- $530.59 before tax of about $39.79
Total-approx $570.38 (after $20 rebate)

I delivered the TV to my Pop, so that he could actually use it during football season. I also called his cable company and they're coming out on Monday to set it all up to receive High Def. channels (free installation too!!). It cost less to give him more channels and a premium movie channel than what he currently pays. I'll be calling back in a few months to see what we can renegotiate.

Both my sister (who lives with my Pop) and my Pop seem very thrilled at their new toy. I think that was, overall, a pretty good deal. No worries about getting them anything else for the Holidays.

CJ

[kashi]

Re: Black Friday: Did you shop? Deal?

No way. If I hadn't needed to get up early this morning to go to work, I would have slept in. I have most of my holiday shopping done already, so that helps!

[cschin4]

Re: Black Friday: Did you shop? Deal?

I didn't go. But, it is kind of fun to go early, make a day of it, get a nice latte and people watch. But, my DH wanted to go today so I spent the day cleaning out the pantry. Then, some friends of my kids came over to play, I took them to Pizza Hut, and came home and played some more. My 4 yr old daughter is now napping. Tonight, we plan to take them to the bowling alley for "Glo Bowl". We enjoy bowling occassionally and they light up the lanes on Fri night so it is pretty cool. I am planning a trip to Dollar General tomorrow.

[Ima saver]

Re: Black Friday: Did you shop? Deal?

I went to the grocery store and it was quiet there cause everyone went shopping. I did try to order something for dh from sears, but it was out of stock.