Clark Howard Show Notes, November 26, 2010 – Black Friday Deals of the Day
Have you ordered your FREE BOOKS yet?
Black Friday Off to a Strong Start
Lines wrapped around stores and parking lots across the nation as shoppers sought early-morning deals, especially on consumer electronics and toys. About 138 million Americans are expected to go shopping this weekend, and the Friday after Thanksgiving–frequently referred to as “Black Friday”–is expected to be the busiest shopping day of the year.
“We’re off to a strong start,” said Jerry Storch, chairman and chief executive of Toys “R” Us Inc. He noted that most Toys “R” Us locations across the country were reporting more customers than last year waiting for the stores to open.
“I believe customers are opening their wallets more than last year,” Storch said. “Prices are low, and retailers are eager.”
Retailers’ eagerness for shoppers was reflected in the sharp discounts they were offering to lure customers early on Black Friday. Many apparel retailers–like Gap Inc. (GPS) and AnnTaylor Stores Corp. (ANN)–were offering blanket discounts during the early morning hours, such as 50% off everything until 10 a.m., while retailers like Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT), Target Corp. (TGT) and Best Buy Co. (BBY) were offering deep discounts on popular consumer electronics.
Business is “very brisk” at Best Buy, and demand is broad, said Michael Vitelli, president of the company’s Americas division. Among the popular items are e-readers, tablet computers and motion games like Microsoft Corp.’s (MSFT) Xbox Kinect.
Unfortunately for shoppers, the high-profile sale items often didn’t last long. Shopper Henry Diaz got in line at a Target in Hackensack, N.J., at 3:30 a.m. EST, 30 minutes before the store open, but was still not early enough to secure the 40-inch high-definition television sold at $298, a savings of more than $250.
READ MORE:
Black Friday Off To A Strong Start
Have you ordered your FREE BOOKS yet?
Good Deals at GAP and American Eagle Outfitters
GAP offered for 50 percent off all store merchandise, and online, you could get $10 off of knit hats, scarves and gloves, $20 off sweaters, PJ Pants and kids pants, and $30 off down vests, sweaters and cords. Online, there’s a 20% off your whole purchase deal.
SHOP MORE: Gap.com
American Eagle Outfitters was selling $4 hats and gloves and $16 hooded sweatshirts. And there’s free shipping on all orders through 11/29/2010 and hoodies for less than $20.
Apple has Black Friday Deals
Free shipping and special deals, including discounts on computers and the iPad. Oh, and iTunes now has the Beatles catalog.
SHOP MORE: Apple.com
Atlanta Black Friday Deals
The AJC’s Bargain Hunter Lauren Davidson has a bunch of great deals listed in her column, at Target, Kohl’s WalMart, Amazon, Sears, ToysRUs, BrandSmart, Macy’s, etc.
READ MORE: Atlanta Black Friday Deals
But the Best Deals are FREE
Have you ordered your FREE BOOKS yet?
On the show today, I also talked about book deals and a GREAT gift-giving opportunity: Free books from ThinkGlink.com and Free Ebooks. See below for details.
Give the FREE Gift of Knowledge: 50 Simple Steps You Can Take To Disaster-Proof Your Finances and the REALLY Useful Guide to Working Smarter Not Harder.
The books are FREE (and retail for $15 each) – you pay the S&H. If you want to buy 10 books or more, send an email to sam@thinkglink.com and he’ll work with you on a shipping discount. The books retail for $15 and you get them for FREE. That’s the best deal going.
Warning: We’re on our last box of the Really Useful Guide to Working Smarter Not Harder, so order soon if you want one. Once they’re gone, they’re GONE!!!!
Check out our selection of Ebooks and Podcasts for Purchase!
We have terrific ebook packages on investing in real estate and managing your money. There are more than twenty ebooks and podcasts for sale on the site. Use the discount code freeebook for our buy-two-get-the-third-free deal. This time, you pay a little for great content, and nothing for shipping!
Today’s Callers
I suggested the following websites/organizations to today’s callers:
For Loan Modification Assistance: Credability.com which is the former Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Greater Atlanta (404-527-7630)
To File a Complaint Against a Big Box Lender: HelpWithMyBank.gov/complaints (Office of the Comptroller of the Currency – OCC – which regulates the big box lenders)
For Small Business Loans: SBA.gov Small Business Administration.
You might also try: Score.org for mentoring and possible business partners
Small Claims Court
Fulton County Small Claims Court
185 Central Avenue Southwest
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 613-5002
READ MORE: How to File in Small Claims Court (Claims up to $15,000)
Flood insurance information: FloodSmart.gov
Get your FREE credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com. While you’re there, pay the $9 and get a copy of your credit score.
Find more information about credit scores at MyFico.com
Leave A Comment