Black Friday Serves A Heaping Helping Of Deals
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Some stores are opening their doors for Black Friday sales before some of us are even finished eating Thanksgiving dinner. And, that has those who love a good bargain licking their chops.
What's on your shopping list?
"Smartphones, tablets, and connected televisions -- those are the big three hot items."
CNET editor-at-large Brian Cooley says as usual, the TVs are plentiful in the bargain basement. A 42" Sharp at Best Buy for $200, a 46" Westinghouse at Target for about $300.
If it's an iPad or iPhone you want, it might be tough finding a deep discount, since Apple tightly controls product pricing. Apple.com is having a Black Friday sale, and some other stores may sweeten the deal with a gift card.
"The other alternative, though, to getting a discount on Apple is getting a product that is just simply cheaper and not made by Apple, and that brings us to the Amazon Kindle Fire, and the Barnes & Noble Nook tablet."
Cooley says they're good iPad alternatives -- and cheaper, by a couple hundred bucks.
HHGregg is offering a $40 Toshiba Blu-Ray player.
If you're out braving the lines, Cooley says arm yourself with a smartphone.
"A lot of people are going to the store, checking out the product, and saying, 'Yep, that's the one I want, now let me go buy it on my phone for the best price," Using price comparison tools like UPC reader apps, Amazon, or Google Shopping. It could be a retailer's nightmare, but they're fighting back with manufacturers' help. They're using unique model numbers, so be prepared to compare specs instead.
But Cooley says the economy, flooding in Thailand, and the earthquake in Japan have caused some shortages, "If you do see a deal -- especially on TVs and digital cameras -- that is irresistible, I might buy it sooner than later, because you might not find the product at all later."
Check out CNET's guide to the best Black Friday deals.
Click here for a break-down of the best deals for the major department stores.
And you can find a one-stop resource for all the best Black Friday adds by clicking here.
Reported by Ian Bush, KYW Newsradio 1060
