Black friday - Technology items
 

Any one got suggestions on earning miles buying some FAR items on Black friday?

Im not being sarcastic, but I actually dont know what you mean by FAR or "Black friday". Perhaps if I did I could make some suggestions.

The Friday after Thanksgiving in the US traditionally marks the start of the Christmas shopping season. Many stores offer specials, etc... Retail establishments are usually jammed. I don't know how this equates to black Friday (unless it helps keep the stores in the black), but that's what it refers to.

Interesting term - "black friday" ... I worked in retail for years and I've never heard it before.

Overstock.com is having a "Black Friday" sale tomorrow, $50 off $400.

So they use the term.

Well, okay, I dont remotely understand how one of the biggest days in retail sales in considered "Black Friday" in retail sales, but whatever, it is tomorrow. Now, what the hell is FAR? ;)

FAR = Free After Rebate

Thanks for getting the terminology straightended out. :cool:

This is just to subscribe to whatever discussion ensues.

Best,

Teacher49

I think the term is fairly recent, but I have been hearing "Black Friday" for at least a few years. Not sure why it's called that, but certainly it's one helluva day to shop in both good and bad ways (good if you will do anything to get the best deals including starting at 6am and pushing through big crowds; bad if you don't want to shop with mobs, wait in long lines, etc). Perhaps the "black" part refers to the bad side. I can't imagine most retail workers enjoy that day, and I certainly won't be shopping in physical stores tomorrow unless it's later in the evening when the early crowds have tired and gone home. Good day for online shopping in my book. :D

Black Friday is the (mythical?) day that retailers actually find their Year-to-Date margins are in the black. The assumption is retailers are operating in the red 11 months of the year, and score all their profits beginning Black Friday and through Christmas/holiday season.

Kohl's, WalMart, and Target are 3 easy exceptions to the above I'd say.

As far as good FAR technology items, if you have seen today's newspaper ads for tomorrow early AM from Best Buy or Circuit City - don't bother waiting - they're already selling online!!! :cool:

CC has a -G router + card for $12 AR!!!

Hmm, does that mean that tomorrow would be a good day to try to get more than 20% off on that Lange 1815 watch I looked at a couple weeks ago or something similar?? ;) I assumed I would have to wait until after Christmas to get the best price.

Saw this interesting description of the term in this newspaper article Retail workers brace for Black Friday rush:
"The day after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday because that historically was when many retailers moved out of red ink and into the black, has become as much about creating buzz and getting people in the mood to shop as hitting a sales goal. "

I always thought it described the general mindset of people after having navigated the endless delays of traffic and parking, long check out lines, and cold weather.

If you really get into the FAR free after rebate stuff this website may be helpful:

www.salescircular.com

There is another thread (in this forum I think) on how this rebate stuff has just gone too far.

Jim

Saw one more interesting tidbit on the origins of Black Friday, in today's WSJ:

The day after Thanksgiving is still known as "Black Friday," because it once marked the day when stores moved into profitability and black ink for the year. But these days, retailers are kept in suspense about the size of their holiday windfall until later in the season, as more people put off major spending until the last minute. The Saturday before Christmas had overtaken Black Friday as the year's biggest shopping day, but last year, Black Friday retook the crown. Still, Black Friday's importance as a predictor of holiday spending has diminished.

I picked up a 512MB Cruzer Micro for $30 after rebates from Circuit City this weekend. It works great. :)