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Posts Tagged ‘Black Friday’

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5 Smart Cyber Monday Shopping Tips

November 30th, 2009 by Matthew C. Keegan | 7 Comments | Filed in Consumer Tips

Online Retailers Gear Up For Cyber Monday Onslaught

Beginning in the wee hours of this morning, web servers around the world will be stretched to their limits. Today is Cyber Monday, the web’s version of Black Friday whereby online retailers offer some of their best deals of the season.

Christmas giftCyber Monday is the first work day following the Thanksgiving holiday weekend when workers head back to their places of employment, log on to their computers, and shop. Needless to say it is a particularly unproductive day at some places of business as employees don’t get much done.

Before you run off to other websites to explore what deals are out there, consider the following tips first:

1. Shop Early – Though online retailers aren’t likely to run out of stock permanently, you’ll want to do your shopping as early in the day possible in order to avoid servers stretched to capacity.

At the height of the day is when most people will be online, which means that your retailer’s web site may crash if too many people try to shop at the same time.

2. Compare Offers – Amazon is one of the largest online retailers and is, as such, a price leader. However, their prices can be beat if you know how and where to shop. PriceGrabber.com, BizRate.com, MySimon.com, and Shopzilla.com are among the top sites for comparing prices.

3. Phone Apps – Sophisticated shoppers armed with phone applications (apps) such as Yowza can find bargains locally. Sometimes waiting for a product to arrive after an online purchase can stretch your patience, therefore Yowza might be a better way to go.

Downloaded to your iPhone, Yowza uses GPS technology to find store coupons in your area. Coupon Sherpa, Valpak, and mobiQpons are other services worth exploring.

4. Shop Secured – If you’re an avid web user than you already know to only shop at a secured site. A site is secured if the web page includes an extra “s” in the address such as “https” and if you can locate a closed padlock in the corner, top, or bottom of your browser screen.

Hover over that icon and it will tell you that it has been “Authenticated by GoDaddy, Inc.” or some other service.

5. Shop At Home – Lastly, the one tip many people don’t want to hear is this one: shop on your own time and on your own computer. Your employer is paying you to work which means that you should shop on your own time, not on company time.

If your work computer is faster than your home computer and your employer doesn’t mind you using it, then do your shopping while on break, at lunch or before or after work. Don’t give your employer cause to discipline or terminate you; no online deal is worth pursuing if risks are involved.

Happy Shopping!

Online retailers are battling brick and mortar merchants for customers now more than ever. For savvy shoppers, this can mean that you’ll find some of the best deals if you shop around.

Adv. — Shop NBuy Plaza for online bargains from more than 5000 retailers.  Find best buys on the Holiday Shopping page or peruse our Bargain Basement for some of the best deals out there. Visit our Party Planning page for Christmas and New Year’s party ideas!


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4 Black Friday Secrets For Savvy Christmas Shoppers

November 23rd, 2009 by Matthew C. Keegan | 6 Comments | Filed in Consumer Tips

On the day after Thanksgiving most Americans have two choices facing them: sleep in or head out for Black Friday savings. Yes, many workers are able to enjoy a four-day weekend which means that Friday is a day off. That also means if you choose to rise ‘n shine early and head out to the mall, you could enjoy some unusual savings if you shop carefully.

Black FridayTo be sure, there isn’t anything black about the Friday following Thanksgiving. It used to be the day when retailers saw their first profits of the year, as balance sheets moved from red (losses) to black (profits) on that day. Though still an important retailing event, merchants no longer expect Thanksgiving weekend alone to bring in the profits as seasonal sales help them reach that goal.

Christmas Shopping

In any case, Black Friday is still a day of significance for consumers as it is a good opportunity to do some Christmas shopping. In a bid to lure you in, merchants offer some of the best deals of the season, savings that can be had if you’re willing to get in when stores open which can be as early as 5 a.m.

But as you head out to the mall on Friday there are some things you should know: not everything is tagged at the absolutely lowest price nor are there always generous quantities of goods available. Thus, you’ll want to keep the following in mind:

Limited Quantities – A special item, such as a popular CD or video game may be available in limited quantities such as 200 per store. Moreover, the retailer could limit the number of purchases to two each, which means that you’ll need to think of other gift ideas for people on your list. Lastly, if you get to the store several hours later, inventory may be depleted.

Limited Time – Doorbuster sales are typically offered on Black Friday. What this means is that prices on select items are reduced for only a few hours before the sale ends. If your favorite store opens at 6 a.m., then the sale could be over by noon. The item you want may still be available, but perhaps at a much higher price.

Online Deals – A recent trend noted by some is where retailers say that certain in store deals are also available online through their website. But there may be a catch: not every doorbuster deal is featured online and you may have to wait until the retailer’s brick and mortar store is open before you can log on and find out. If it isn’t featured online, then you may have to scramble to throw on your clothes and head to the mall, but by then it could be too late.

Rain Checks – If the store’s sale policy is a favorable one, then they may offer a rain check to you on whatever items have sold out. This means that you may be able to get that item later at the Black Friday low price when it ships again. Be careful: some products take weeks to ship or your retailer may not be able to get the item back again. Too late for Christmas and you’ll be forced to find something else.

New Car

Not every Black Friday deal is a dud, but you need to read the fine print to see what restrictions apply and plan accordingly. Of course, if you’re the type of person who hates shopping at the mall on Thanksgiving weekend, take heart: the best day of the year to buy a new car is on Black Friday.

Photo Credit: Jay Lopez

Adv. — Whether you head out to the mall for Black Friday savings or shop online from the comfort (and warmth) of your home, a shopping list can help you keep everything organized. Download your free copy today from NBuy Plaza, home of more than 5,000 online merchants!


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Is It Time For You To Rethink Your Christmas Giving?

November 11th, 2009 by Matthew C. Keegan | 4 Comments | Filed in Consumer Tips

4 ways to look at Christmas a bit differently.

Christmas is the season where Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, Savior for mankind. It is also a time when everyone else gets in on the action, whether they have a particular religious motive or simply want to partake in a season of giving and receiving. Yes, Christmastide makes for an odd blend of religious and secular celebrating, but it also unifies people in some unexpected ways including examining their own reasons for giving.

Christmas Giving

Christmas presentYes, the new austerity is here which means that although many people still plan to shop, they aren’t giving like they did just a few years ago. The 2008 financial collapse followed by long term economic have caused a lot of people to examine Christmas giving. Perhaps you’ve already made some changes or maybe you’re still weighing your options. No matter, the following are some seasonal tips to help you celebrate the season with joy instead of dread:

Budget It – This is the year when you’re going to live within your budget, right? I know, it is so tempting to overspend especially when you consider all of the people you will see this season. But a few moments of pleasure seeing a friend or family member open up your gift can be soon overshadowed by months of paying off high interest credit card bills if you spend beyond your means. Stick with your budget and begin to set aside money now for next year’s Christmas shopping.

Kids Only – For large families with parents, numerous siblings, cousins and other relatives, buying gifts for everyone is sheer lunacy. There are two ways you can wisely handle this situation besides not giving gifts at all: purchase presents for children only or have a gift exchange where everyone chooses one or more names out of a hat to determine who buys what for whom. Immediately following Thanksgiving dinner is when some families make their selections, heading out on Black Friday to make their purchases.

Gift Cards – One way to ensure that you stay within budget it to simply give people on your list gift cards. This means if you’re planning to spend $25 for each of your nieces and nephews, you can get a gift card to their favorite store to allow them to make post Christmas season purchases themselves. A few things to keep in mind: avoid those cards with expiration dates as well gift cards which rack up fees if not used within a certain period of time. Importantly, do not buy a gift card or gift certificate from a retailer who is having financial problems as that card may be deemed worthless if they file for bankruptcy.

Helping Others – What do you buy for the person who has everything? Perhaps nothing. Or, at least a donation to a favorite nonprofit organization in their name. If your aunt insists on “no gifts” this Christmas, ask her if she would appreciate a donation to a charity instead? Some people simply do not want gifts, but a contribution to those who need assistance might still be appreciated.

Christmas Joy

We’ve lost sight of what Christmas is all about as the holiday has become a retailing feeding frenzy. We need not return to the days when our Puritan ascendants banned the celebration out of disgust over worldliness, but we may want to rethink what Christmas is all about and a good place to begin is with our Christmas shopping list.

Photo Credit: Kym McLeod

Adv. — 2009 is nearly gone with 2010 waiting in the wings. Might this coming year be the one where you will buy or launch your own business? The work of an entrepreneur isn’t easy, but it can be tremendously rewarding. If you have ever considered starting your own business, then please contact the National Association of Certified Business Brokers for assistance. “Helping Business Owners Succeed” is our motto — please stop by to see what we have to offer to you!


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Good Reasons To Finish Your Christmas Shopping Early

November 9th, 2009 by Matthew C. Keegan | 9 Comments | Filed in Consumer Tips

My mother had a friend who was a consummate Christmas shopper. Unlike some shoppers who started to patronize stores around Thanksgiving, Eileen had her shopping done and presents wrapped early. Before Labor Day!

Christmas cartNot everyone can finish their shopping early nor do they want to. Eileen hated the Christmas season crowds, but loved yuletide. When the holiday season rolled around she merrily celebrated, but avoided the retail hustle and bustle. All of her shopping was done from presents to tinsel.

Black Friday

Many consumers prefer to wait until after Thanksgiving in search of the best bargains of the holiday season. Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, traditionally launches shoppers out of the home and into stores, with some of the best deals of the year found at the wee hours of the morning and up until noon.

Retailers use Black Friday as a means to hook in shoppers with loss leaders which are those products sold below cost. By offering a handful of money losing items, they know that they’ll have you in the store long enough for you to pick up other displayed items. And that’s how they make their money.

Economic Woes

This year, a number of retailers are rethinking their strategy as they worry that high unemployment (10.2% in October), a vexed real estate market, and consumer angst will keep people away from their stores. You can’t spend what you don’t have and, with many consumers having reduced credit to work with, the available dollars pie has shrunk considerably.

What this means is that some stores will be holding their Black Friday specials early and often. Sears, for example, says that they are holding Black Friday specials every Saturday in November and December. This means that if you were in a Sears store this past Saturday, you may have noticed some items priced exceptionally low.

Early Shoppers

Sears is finding competition from other retailers namely Best Buy, Dell, Toys ‘R Us, WalMart, and even Saks who are running their own variations on the early sale theme. Indeed, in a recent WalMart survey the retailing behemoth learned that at least 50 percent of mothers expect to have their Christmas shopping done before the Thanksgiving dinner table is set.

Unlike last year when many goods were sold at a loss, expect retailers to carefully manage inventory and control prices. That’s because in 2008 many store owners were caught with excess inventory having stocked their shelves to the hilt or had goods on order when the stock market collapsed in September. Deals will be had in 2009, but don’t expect prices to plummet as we move closer to Christmas Day.

Though my mother has since passed away and Eileen herself moved many miles away, I’m sure that she is still shopping early. After all, when you’re good at finding specials no matter the season, then you can get everything done and enjoy the true meaning of Christmas.

Adv. — No matter who you are buying gifts for this Christmas, you can find what you want online. Visit nBuy to see our In The Home gallery as well as to find helpful party planning ideas!


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