Will Black Friday be a bust?

With the ever increasing tension over Walmart’s new policy for Black Friday shoppers, I’m wondering if this Black Friday will end up being a bust for most.

I understand why they had to do it (and I think they should have developed some kind of safety standards for Black Friday long before someone got killed); but I can sense the public’s frustration in having to obtain a ticket for any of the “big ticket” items they want to buy (i.e., TVs, Xbox, cameras, etc.).  People are wondering how they’re going to do it if they have to get in one line for a TV and another for a camera and they don’t have ten friends to help them out.  It’s possible Wally World may establish the same regimen Best Buy has where they had out tickets for any item you want which guarantees that you get one.  Who knows.

I think it’s kind of cool they will be open on Thanksgiving (in some states) and from what I understand, will even be opening at midnight on Black Friday.  Of course you won’t be able to get the sale items until 5:00 a.m. but what’s wrong with walking around the store for five hours, right?

As for my Black Friday game plan, well, unless they have some super duper deal on toys, I probably won’t be there any earlier than 3:00 a.m.  I’m hoping to get the dirt cheap jeans they’ve had for the past two years (if  history repeats itself–with WW it usually does) and some cheapo towels (again, history repeating itself).  But I’m not interested in HDTVs or no name brand notebooks for $99.00.  I could care less about a Wii game system or any other electronic. 

So I guess I won’t be one of those fools standing in line.  I’ll be in, get my stuff and out the door by 5:45.  Just like last year.  Bring it on!

What a week it’s been!

With the countless layoffs, cowardly suicides and crazy weather that affected the country this past week, it’s good to know that we can all toss our cares aside tomorrow, park our asses on the couch and pig out on nachos and two-alarm-fire buffalo wings while witnessing two of the NFL’s alleged best football teams go head-to-head.  Please.  Tell me when this nightmare is over.

The best thing about the Super Bowl will be Springsteen’s show at halftime.  JMO, of course.  Then again, I do consider myself a big fan of The Boss.  Although I won’t be watching the game (I could care less who wins), if I time it just right, I may turn the tube on just in time to see Bruce.

Speaking of Bruce, I can understand how some fans became upset by his deal with Walmart exclusively selling his greatest hits CD.  Here is Springsteen, strong advocate for the common everyday laborer and there is Walmart, alleged perpetrator of worker’s rights.  The Boss has apologized for his decision.  Say what you want about Walmart–at least they haven’t been in the news due to layoffs.

BTW, if you are considering picking up Walmart’s exclusive Springsteen CD, save your $10.00 and put it towards buying his NEW CD.  The GH has ten songs on it, all from prior Bruce CD’s; if you are the average Bruce fan, you probably own the albums already which contain all of those songs.  Just create your own GH mix CD for free.

The shoppers are getting antsy…

That little Walmart leak last week has really gotten many in an uproar. 

I know the ad is out there.  I’ve cached the listing on a few Black Friday sites.  Some people were saying that the ads were errors and that they were actually LAST year’s ads.  However, in comparing notes from the CNN leak, these ads DID list the GE microwave for $25.00 and the Hannah Montana doll for $10.00, as well as the Samsung plasma HDTV for $798.00.  But there were also a lot of things on this alleged 2008 ad that did appear on 2007’s ad.  So I’m not completely sold that the ad listings I’ve seen are accurate; It’s either that or Walmart keeps reselling the same old shit year after year and adds in a few newbie things to try to get every psyched up.  Could be.

Anyway, I guess we’ll all just have to wait until Sunday for the big unveiling of this year’s Walmart ad.  After all this waiting and and anticipation from everyone, including the little “teaser” (which to me was not much of a teaser–kids clothes priced between $4.00 and $8.00?  I can get clothes for that price NOW at Walmart–where’s the deal there?)–the wait better damn well be worth it.

Speaking of Black Friday, I do have to mention that I made out like a bandit last night at Sears’ Friends and Family night.  I bought my little one TWO pairs of sleeper pj’s (w/the feet) which normally would go for $20.00, marked half-off (that’s TWO in a package for TEN bucks!) PLUS 10% off of that!  In addition, I got hubby two dress shirts on sale for $21.99 with 10% off on those too!  I was thrilled! 

Sears has a DVD/VCR combo advertised for BF for $49.99.  Unless Wally World has one cheaper than that, Sears is where I’ll be buying it.

Some of the BF deals at Walmart from last year that I hope they have this year (or similar ones anyway):

men’s jeans (can’t recall what kind–but my husband doesn’t care!) – $7 and change last year (can’t recall the exact price)

A deal on towels would be nice also.

and I’m pricing hippity hops and medical kids for my kid also.  At least I know TRU has them if I can’t find them at Wally World.

So Wally World leaked to CNN…

After they bitched and moaned and sent threatening we’ll-sic-our-lawyers-on-you-if-you-post-our-Black-Friday-ad-on-your-site letters, Walmart went ahead and revealed BF deals they are going to be having on several items to the news network CNN.  This is after they said nothing would be leaked until November 24. Go figure.

Some of the deals:  doorbuster deals offered between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. including a 50-inch Samsung plasma HDTV ($798), Magnavox Blu-ray player ($128), Xbox 360 ($199) sold with free Guitar Hero III Legends of Rock game and wireless guitar, HP Pavilion desktop computer ($398) and a UniFlame gas grill ($175).  These are deals?  I’ll never understand why any human being needs a TV larger than 20″.  The picture is still the same.  But if you have $798.00 lying around and want to blow it on a 50-inch TV, be my guest.

The one that worries me is the GE microwave for $25.00.  My first question is:  how big is it?  Second question, how long will it last?

The article went on to state that due to the poor economy, last week Walmart stated they would offer more discounts on thousands of products over the next seven weeks.  Well, I shop at Wally World every week and I have yet to see any lower prices on anything.

Right now the two main places on my BF list are Sears and Wally World–depending on what Wally has to offer, of course.  I’m looking for a new DVD/VHS player and right now Sears is the only one offering one for $49.99.  Unless Wally comes out with one also (hopefully lower priced), I’m going to have to go with Sears.