Author Topic: Black Friday sales for MAME builders (Read 17302 times)

Burke LaShell · « **on:** November 13, 2006, 12:40:22 pm »

Here are some Black Friday sales that might interest somebody.

Staples: http://download.bfads.net/BFAds-Staples.pdf

Maxtor 200 GB 7200 RPM internal hard drive - $19.98 (after rebate)
Samsung 19" wide-screen LCD monitor - $129.98 (after rebate)
Altec Lansing VS4121 speakers with sub - $19.98 (after rebate)

Havok · « **Reply #1 on:** November 13, 2006, 01:02:26 pm »

Sweet! Thanks for the post: one of those hard drives has my name on it...

ChadTower · « **Reply #2 on:** November 13, 2006, 01:06:10 pm »

FYI: In Rhode Island, those rebates are no longer legal.

As of a couple of months ago, in RI, the store must give that rebate instantly at the register and submit the rebate themselves.

AlanS17 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 13, 2006, 01:07:25 pm »

I wish they did that here with the rebates.

ChadTower · « **Reply #4 on:** November 13, 2006, 01:14:23 pm »

I've always stayed the hell away from stores during the holidays... but I have need for hard drives and there are a couple of Staples near me. How does this usually work? Is this the sale where people start to show up at like 4am?

kelemvor · « **Reply #5 on:** November 13, 2006, 01:16:45 pm »

Can you get that HDD deal online? We don't have Staples in our area. But $20 for a 200 gig drive.. Damn...

Hoopz · « **Reply #6 on:** November 13, 2006, 01:21:30 pm »

Quote from: ChadTower on November 13, 2006, 01:14:23 pm

I've always stayed the hell away from stores during the holidays... but I have need for hard drives and there are a couple of Staples near me. How does this usually work? Is this the sale where people start to show up at like 4am?

Yep. You may see if they that they will or won't accept online orders for the same pricing. Makes more sense than waiting in line in the cold and dark...

shardian · « **Reply #7 on:** November 13, 2006, 01:25:14 pm »

Quote from: ChadTower on November 13, 2006, 01:06:10 pm

FYI: In Rhode Island, those rebates are no longer legal.

As of a couple of months ago, in RI, the store must give that rebate instantly at the register and submit the rebate themselves.

Mental note: move to Rhode Island and start an Ebay business...

AlanS17 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 13, 2006, 01:25:49 pm »

I can picture lines forming outside Best Buy and places like that, but I can't picture a line outside of Staples. That doesn't mean I'm right, though.

ChadTower · « **Reply #9 on:** November 13, 2006, 01:28:24 pm »

Well, I know people wait outside Walmart for hours. So I could imagine them having 20 of that 200G drive in stock and there being 20 people in line.

I wonder how one would verify whether or not online ordering will be honored.

Hoopz · « **Reply #10 on:** November 13, 2006, 01:30:38 pm »

Quote from: ChadTower on November 13, 2006, 01:28:24 pm

Well, I know people wait outside Walmart for hours. So I could imagine them having 20 of that 200G drive in stock and there being 20 people in line.

I wonder how one would verify whether or not online ordering will be honored.

The ads may say. I recall seeing that being more prominently displayed last year.

ChadTower · « **Reply #11 on:** November 13, 2006, 01:35:35 pm »

Downloaded the ad... it says that the prices will only be honored in store and that that only applies to the items on page 1.

The hard drive is on page 2.

saint · « **Reply #12 on:** November 13, 2006, 03:19:44 pm »

Well, if you're willing to take a gamble 4 AM isn't that bad of a time to get in line. I'll be there about 2:45 I think (Best Buy)

Quote from: ChadTower on November 13, 2006, 01:14:23 pm

I've always stayed the hell away from stores during the holidays... but I have need for hard drives and there are a couple of Staples near me. How does this usually work? Is this the sale where people start to show up at like 4am?

ChadTower · « **Reply #13 on:** November 13, 2006, 03:27:04 pm »

For what? I can't imagine sitting in line for hours in below freezing temperatures unless I was starving and they were giving out food.

saint · « **Reply #14 on:** November 13, 2006, 03:47:36 pm »

Actually I don't really want anything this year so I'm not sure I'm going, though I probably will. Previous years I've bought cheap computers and laptops, computer bits, etc... Last year I think we bought 3 e-machines for various people who wanted/needed a computer. $200 or so for a complete PC including XP OS, monitor, decent CPU and RAM specs, etc... I also pick up the newest version of Symantec's antivirus, CD and DVD media, power strips, UPS, etc... for free after rebates up to a relatively few bucks. Typically I'll outfit myself for all computer projects I'll do during the year with what I pick up on Black Friday.

This year at Best Buy it's a Celeron D 352, 15" LCD monitor, Canon color printer, 512 Mb RAM, 100 gig HD, DVD/CD-RW, Windows XP -- $189.97. If you're after a general purpose family computer that's a heck of a deal.

When I'm ready to buy a wide-screen tv one day that's how I'll probably do it also.

It's also fun to do, kind of like tailgating. Freeze your butt off with a bunch of other good-natured (mostly) folks, hit the masses for an orgy of shopping, go to Circuit City after BestBuy to pick up straggling items if they still have any, and then the mall to shop until meeting the wives for lunch at Ruby Tuesday's. Then the men carry about a million packages that the women have picked up at the toy stores and elsewhere in the mall, drag them out to the car, maybe do a bit more slower-paced shopping and head for home.

Good times.

--- saint

Quote from: ChadTower on November 13, 2006, 03:27:04 pm

For what? I can't imagine sitting in line for hours in below freezing temperatures unless I was starving and they were giving out food.

ChadTower · « **Reply #15 on:** November 13, 2006, 03:56:55 pm »

Sounds like you enjoy it. Crowds are definitely not my thing. I prefer to stay home and work in the yard and carry everything in from the car when my wife gets home.

You're right, that PC is a heck of a deal. You could break the lot up and have several kickass gifts.

saint · « **Reply #16 on:** November 13, 2006, 04:10:27 pm »

Yeah - if shopping isn't your thing you'll absolutely hate this. There are a lot of downsides. Within the first few minutes of opening the line for the registers starts, and snakes around the entire fricking store till it loops back to the front doors -- probably an hour or so line to check out. It's insane. People are running like it's the second coming of the messiah, elbows are flying, it can be a real mess. It's a lot of fun also though

ChadTower · « **Reply #17 on:** November 13, 2006, 04:13:31 pm »

Thanks for that, you just talked me out of it. I don't enjoy throwing elbows without intent. It doesn't get fun for me until people start getting physical. Too many years of football and hockey, I suppose. When that fat guy started throwing elbows at me to get at a hard drive I'd either get out of his way or end up on the 6pm news as that guy that got arrested at Staples.

saint · « **Reply #18 on:** November 13, 2006, 04:34:57 pm »

shardian · « **Reply #19 on:** November 13, 2006, 04:37:38 pm »

Last year at Walmart, you could show up at 11 am and not only get any of the Black Friday deals, but they were also MARKING THEM DOWN!! I felt sorry for all the people who made Walmart their early visit.

saint · « **Reply #20 on:** November 13, 2006, 04:44:12 pm »

Yeah - my usual round is Best Buy first, then Circuit City where there's a few items left but not many, and then Staples/OfficeMax (whichever one it is that's near the BestBuy, I forget) where most of the deals are still available. I wouldn't wait in line at Walmart. The chain toy stores, chain electronics stores -- yes. Walmart/OfficeMax, no.

ChadTower · « **Reply #21 on:** November 13, 2006, 04:47:38 pm »

So, since Staples is so close by, AND in RI they have to give you the discount at the register rather than a rebate... it may be worth driving over to Staples around opening time to see if stuff is still there.

grueinthebox · « **Reply #22 on:** November 13, 2006, 07:04:16 pm »

Quote from: saint on November 13, 2006, 03:19:44 pm

Well, if you're willing to take a gamble 4 AM isn't that bad of a time to get in line. I'll be there about 2:45 I think (Best Buy)

Years ago I worked at one of the busier Best Buy locations in the Houston area... I'd talk with people who were in on Black Friday, and it seems like we commonly had people that had been in line since 10pm Thanksgiving night or earlier. I've never bothered going out to be on the other side of the counter. Would've liked to this year just to do it once, but looks like it'll have to wait as I used up the last of my vacation days in June...

saint · « **Reply #23 on:** November 13, 2006, 08:26:31 pm »

Yeah - first 10-20 folks or so get there insanely early like 10 PM or even earlier. Then the rest of the crazies start about 3 AM or so. Then everyone who thinks they've got a good idea but haven't been there to see the reality before try to get an early start at 4 or 5 AM, you know - 1 hour before opening. Poor guys - they're the ones who are like 100th in line.

Quote from: grueinthebox on November 13, 2006, 07:04:16 pm

Quote from: saint on November 13, 2006, 03:19:44 pm
Well, if you're willing to take a gamble 4 AM isn't that bad of a time to get in line. I'll be there about 2:45 I think (Best Buy)

Years ago I worked at one of the busier Best Buy locations in the Houston area... I'd talk with people who were in on Black Friday, and it seems like we commonly had people that had been in line since 10pm Thanksgiving night or earlier. I've never bothered going out to be on the other side of the counter. Would've liked to this year just to do it once, but looks like it'll have to wait as I used up the last of my vacation days in June...

AtomSmasher · « **Reply #24 on:** November 13, 2006, 10:01:08 pm »

I think I may show up at staples at or shortly before opening. That hard drive deal is really good, but they also have mcafee internet suite 2007 for free (which includes pretty much everything mcafee makes, 8 programs I think), and I'll get turbo tax with free quicken.

I'll probably swing by best buy afterwards and see if they still have x-men 3 or arrested development season 3 for $9.99 each and neverwinter nights 2 or flight simulator X for $24.99

ChadTower · « **Reply #25 on:** November 14, 2006, 07:59:25 am »

The ad didn't specify a limit on the hard drives... I could see myself making 4-5 trips to the car with $20 hard drives.

_) (V) (-) · « **Reply #26 on:** November 14, 2006, 08:23:53 am »

If the crowds/lines, freezing temps and general crazieness dosent put you off. Remember that most of these people had just stuffed their gullets full of turkey and will most likely be polluting your personal atmosphere while your stuck next to them in line, for and hour or more.

shardian · « **Reply #27 on:** November 14, 2006, 08:31:48 am »

I am seriously considering the 32" westinghouse lcd at Best Buy. I am curious though as to how many of them they will have on Black friday. I don't want to go freeze my butt off for a few hours just to find out they only had 5. I would be pretty pissed.

Oh yeah, and I also plan on getting a laptop too!

ChadTower · « **Reply #28 on:** November 14, 2006, 08:47:45 am »

That LCD is even in my price range for a TV... I'd seriously consider taking a shot at it if it wouldn't require replacing our entertainment center too.

AlanS17 · « **Reply #29 on:** November 14, 2006, 09:49:06 am »

For what it's worth, my only experience with black friday was when I went in to buy a portable DVD player for my step-dad one year as a Christmas gift at Best Buy. We got there before 10 am and they had a mountain of those units by the door. Getting one was a snap, but paying for it took over an hour.

Buddabing · « **Reply #30 on:** November 14, 2006, 10:50:50 am »

Why do they call it "Black Friday" anyway, and not "Green Friday"? Circles under the eyes, maybe? Bruises from thrown elbows?

I would not go shopping on Friday after Thanksgiving even if I was paid.

AlanS17 · « **Reply #31 on:** November 14, 2006, 10:53:40 am »

Quote from: Buddabing on November 14, 2006, 10:50:50 am

Why do they call it "Black Friday" anyway, and not "Green Friday"? Circles under the eyes, maybe? Bruises from thrown elbows?

I would not go shopping on Friday after Thanksgiving even if I was paid.

Agreed. It's hardly ever worth it. I might buy a new laptop on black Friday when the one i've got finally quits on me. I think that'll be a couple of years, though.

I would need a REALLY good reason to do it, and a $20 hard drive doesn't count. I'm content to follow the sales at Fry's for stuff that's just "cheap enough".

ChadTower · « **Reply #32 on:** November 14, 2006, 10:56:32 am »

The $20 hard drive isn't a Black Friday item. It will still be on sale later that day and in the following days.

shardian · « **Reply #33 on:** November 14, 2006, 11:04:02 am »

Well, a $470 32" HD LCD tv is good enough reason for me.

I am also looking into a digital camcorder. Looks like $200 for a minidv is the best deal going.

ChadTower · « **Reply #34 on:** November 14, 2006, 11:05:29 am »

It may be hard to get both alone... I'd imagine people make mad dashes to specific items and then have a hard time getting to a second one before it's gone. Especially if one of them is really big like that TV.

saint · « **Reply #35 on:** November 14, 2006, 11:30:58 am »

At BestBuy, they go down the line as you're waiting outside with tickets for the rare/limited items. First in line, first serve. Once you have your ticket they're guaranteed to give it to you, so you can mad dash to the other things you want first. There are hiccups sometimes, but that's the general principle. One year they ran out of the hard drive I had a ticket for, so they upgraded me to a larger drive for the same price.

ChadTower · « **Reply #36 on:** November 14, 2006, 11:32:42 am »

Nice. Is there a limit to how many of an item or how many different items for which you can get tickets?

More Cowbell · « **Reply #37 on:** November 14, 2006, 11:36:15 am »

Quote from: AlanS17 on November 14, 2006, 10:53:40 am

Agreed. It's hardly ever worth it.

It's way worth it to us. We save literally hundreds of dollars on Christmas presents by spending one long day shopping. Like Saint mentioned, it's a tailgate type of atmosphere since everyone is excited about deals and in the same late night/early morning mentality. We take it as a challenge to get as many great deals as possible. Plus I get to throw in all of the fun gadgets and stuff for me.
There's a great deal at Curcuit City on a portable GPS unit for $149 that I'm lining up for bright and early (or dark and early).

ChadTower · « **Reply #38 on:** November 14, 2006, 11:38:36 am »

Worth it is relative, though... here it is usually well below freezing on that day. That skews the scale a bit compared to other places where you're just sitting on the sidewalk.

More Cowbell · « **Reply #39 on:** November 14, 2006, 11:44:56 am »

Quote from: ChadTower on November 14, 2006, 11:38:36 am

Worth it is relative, though... here it is usually well below freezing on that day. That skews the scale a bit compared to other places where you're just sitting on the sidewalk.

We're in Chicago so it gets pretty cold. That's what coats, scarves, gloves, hats, coffee, and hot toddies are for.


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