venerdinero

Get there VERY early - have the robots be first in line, and handing out the free cocoa:coffeetim is a GREAT idea. Just in case - have them make periodic announcements such as: "Resistance is futile. The cash register is my sister!"

RTFA (or RTFP)! I know that people mean well, but I believe that Kelly just told us that she doesn't really have the "EXTRA money" to do the whole switch thing. On the other hand, I agree with the other parts of the previous posts which indicate that if you already have the items that you want or need, then hold on to them, because you just might not be able to get them on sale. Unlikely to help, but if by some chance you are able to access a credit card (yours or family or friend) you might think about trying the switch thing, buy as many of the items as you can in the morning and then return the full price items that you previously purchased later on Friday, and use the refund money to pay back the cc owner - but that's a big if, I suspect. Also as noted previously you might try to buy as many of the items as possible on BF and switch or return the full priced originals in the afternoon. But the question is, IF you can do it, how many items could you afford to buy on BF, how much will you truly save and is it worth the hassle - only you can decide that. One last crazy suggestion:idea: - which I'm not sure will work either. I throw this one out for thoughts & improvement - Maybe - you could go to the store this weekend with a friend (sounds like hubby won't be joining you! ). Leave the full price items in the car. Go shop for the exact same items. Ideally you will still find all the colors you want, etc. Leave all the items in the cart with your friend. Go back to your car and get the previously purchased items. Return those items and use the return money to buy the cart full of replacement items which will then be purchased within 7 days of BF so you can allegedly bring the receipts back on BF. I can already see 3 potential problems with this crazy idea. 1. It's a major pain in the butt - is it really worth it? 2. The refunds might have to be sent out from corporate if they are cash and total more than $100 (in theory you could attempt to make several smaller returns from the same receipt, but that won't go over too well.) 3. The store may not accept returns during those sale hours. Based on your situation, based on the "pleasant attitude" you have already found when just asking about returns on BF, maybe it's best to congratulate yourself for finding all the right gifts and in the right colors and think how much fun it will be to hear all the upcoming news reports about the severe shortages of toys you were smart enough to buy far in advance!! ...then you can turn around, sell yours on e-bay for 4x the retail price and oh oh - sorry. Visions of :gd_dollar dancing in my head!! Since you're going to WM - "Happy Holidays"!

It sounds like maybe somebody in WI should tip off their AG or their state's consumer protection agency to this possible problem. In these litigious times, if this possible problem turns out to be a widespread real problem, you can almost bet on some people bringing suit. You can also bet that the state government(s) would go after them as well (especially in states where WM isn't so welcome). Even some of the BEST stores can BUY themselves governmental trouble with bait and switch issues and similar other consumer protection issues. Sadly the legal issues might pale in comparison to the practical problem of hundreds of tired, angry and frustrated shoppers. Let's just hope this gets resolved by BF or that it isn't actually accurate. I've heard many complaints about WM, but shipping and logistics wasn't one of them, so let's hope that maybe someone simply heard wrong!

Designated Line Starter or Black Friday STAFF

You never saw then Gov Clinton? Oh wait, that was Mickey D's:hungry: Sorry, my mistake. I once saw someone famous! So I bought him a and he sold me his buddy :crochunte

Neither am I, but no, it's not just a threat. It's extremely complicated and while they might not completely prevail in the end, they can afford the rather significant legal costs of the process, while many websites can't. It may not be right, but it is reality. Ads are designed to be published, but until they are, they are probably considered private or they are embargoed until the publication date. The part about Florida law could be interesting. I've not heard of those particular laws before. If the ads were sent outside of FL online or to a printer outside of FL, would those laws even apply? Also, that "Florida" paragraph was rather poorly written. It sure doesn't reflect well on the attorney, especially a SENIOR attorney. Did somebody's staff forget to proofread? Tsk Tsk Tsk. I didn't know that Florida published (insert struggling store name here)'s trade secrets, etc. Go figure!

More great advice saturnboy01! Do you know if this monthly discount is in addition to the phone discount? or are these offers mutually exclusive? That might make a rather large :gd_dollar difference!! A potential

Catch all. Competitors - I had Walmart tell me they don't consider the Sam's Club next door to be a competitor. I pointed out that if you are not in competition with them (and since you are essentially the same company) then you should honor the price on the identical item. They didn't appreciate that. :lolrun: Refunds, Exchanges, PM, PA. I understand some of the frustration behind the "wait in line like the rest of us" comments. I salute the stores who close the Refund or Exchange desks for those doorbusting hours. Price adjustments should only be honored while the limited number of items to be offerred are still available in the store (get up with the rest of us) but I don't understand the complaint about PM! If store X or store W :) is willing to match the prices of several other stores, on the exact items, during the sale hours, what on Earth is wrong with that? It happens every single day. It saves me time and travel expenses and I probably develop more store loyalty for them. Returns - be aware of those "restocking fees"! (read the fine print on those return policies BEFORE you buy things, especially those electronics and big ticket items) "I want to go to other stores to" - Don't we all? That's the whole idea - pick the most important one, camp out and hope for the best elsewhere. Finally for all those who plan to try some sort of return or pa scheme anyway, at least one store is looking for you "Best Buy reserves the right to deny any return". :homer:DOH!

I should also point out that I have heard about one other potential problem with BBB on BF. This may have been a misleading salesperson or it may be a local problem, such as the "Indiana problem" noted above. Someone I know was told by a salesperson that they could not use any BBB on BF. Now, that does sound crazy and wrong, but - this is BB. That is why I had already known where to find the BBB Terms and Conditions. There are a few a potential loopholes that an unscrupulous merchant might try to utilize. The open ended "Cannot be used toward purchase of certain products and services, including but not limited to" As the stores open early on BF, the "must be used only during normal hours of operation" language. As noted elsewhere, if necessary, one can get there early, get your item, then wait in the store and checkout after 10am (or your local store's regular opening time). Finally the "special order items" exception. Since some of the doorbusters and other BF specials are not normally stocked or have special skus, the store might try declare it a special order item. Whatever the case, IF a store tries not to permit the fair use of the BBB, remain polite, remain calm, but do not be intimidated, be firm, be insistent, and show them a copy of their own policies and if necessary call corporate.

It is annoying, but it does say both "restrictions apply" and "see rules" right on the BBB coupon. I think the bigger problems with BB is when they don't see their own rules and restrictions, or when they choose not to follow them.

Great post Saturnboy!! For for those who might want or need to print out those same Terms and Conditions from the official BestBuy website (less arguments that way). 1 go to bestbuy website 2 click on "help" at the very very top of the home page, next to a red "?" 3 in the search box type in "best buy bucks" and hit search 4 you should get "Best Buy Bucks™ Terms and Conditions" 5 click on that link & print it out 6 take it to the store & use your BBB to save save save! :gd_dollar

You make some good points - I'll have to check on the details, but from what I remember, they apparently did make a fairly big stink about it but they were still apparently told that it didn't matter what the store policy was, they would not follow it. I think it was for a CD or DVD or a game that had a lower price for the first week or two. By the time they got it back in stock, the price had gone back up. I think that I suggested that they PM at BB, but I don't exactly remember. As for limited supply or special buys- you might be surprised & it all depends on the ads - the is in the !

I believe that school supplies for class are usually stocked in the back of your local Target!

Don't be scared - just bring along Bam-Bam!! I'm sorry! That was bad. Since you're flying the Block "O", maybe you could bring along AJ Hawk and get whatever you want!! Go Bucks!!

Actually that was the announcement, the deal closed on March 12, 2004. Shares of Gateway were valued at @ $5.19/share on that day - today they are at @ $2.97 or down about 40 percent. Ouch. The irony is that eMachines owner wanted to buy Gateway in 2002 and take them private. That might have been better for both. eMachines were cheaper for several reasons. They were very efficient (corporately and manufacturing process) they also used some decent, but cheaper parts, and I believe they were assembled in South Korea. They made a decent, relatively inexpensive basic computer. I'm not sure if that has continued after the acquisition or not - since I haven't heard too many bad things, I presume the status quo has been maintained. If someone has a limited budget, it is nice to get a computer, with a burner and 17" monitor for $149 - BUT it will be a basic machine with limitations. I would suggest trying to upgrade the memory ASAP.

I agree with the others who noted that Target calls it a price adjustment, which only applies to sales at Target, not other stores. Furthermore, I would recommend that you specifically ask if that would include any "doorbuster" items on BF. This may be a local store decision, but they might consider doorbusters to be similar to clearance items, for which they will not adjust. Also, they might require you to visit the store during those sales hours. Better to call ahead then to find out the bad news on Saturday!

I believe that Lord&Taylor usually has a BF sale - usually with various coupons printed in the Thanksgiving Day paper itself - not the insert. I seem to remember there being special "doorbuster" coupons for additional or greater savings. I believe that Macy's does the same.

That's interesting - maybe I heard correctly then. Just to be sure we are on the same page here, your WM never does rainchecks - ever - not even during the rest of the year, right? Even though WM's policy says it will issue rainchecks, right? That's sliding down into BB territory - any deals on waders? :runaway:

Since the thread continues- I wanna know when those cardboard ads will be in the paper!! :g_laughin nothin' but the FAQ. Please, just the FAQ. http://forums.gottadeal.com/showthread.php?t=14239

I have never seen rainchecks on "doorbuster" items or other "limited quantity" items. There are sometimes rainchecks available for other items on sale for Friday only. Has anyone else had problems with Walmart and rainchecks on regular (not BF) sales items? I've heard a few people tell me that the CSR Associates and Managers refused to give rainchecks even though it's supposedly Walmart policy to issue them. One store supposedly said they didn't even have a raincheck form to use!

I'm not sure if you're funny, misinformed or both! I believe you'll find that while the number of Catholics may be declining, the overall number of Christians is rising. The individual leading the proposed boycott was not a "Reverend" at all. Are you aware that WalMart does a great deal of it's business in the so-called "bible belt" where many Christians take this stuff rather seriously? You may laugh it off, but WalMart didn't. They will continue to say "Happy Holidays", but that's not really what the boycott was about. Many people were not even aware of this change until the media got involved. The boycott was ended because WalMart corrected it's mistakes, if only in it's own interest. It will be interesting to see if some Christians spend their money elsewhere this Christmas season, as they have in past years - notice Federated bringing back Christmas this year. Probably not. As for times being tough, people needing cheap or sale items you are correct. As for the benefit policies, you may be correct. As for many Christians not caring about "Happy Holidays" - you MAY be correct, but again, that's not what the boycott was all about. As for being "pro-common-sense", when some estimates say 75-80% of WalMart's customers are Christian, does it make good business or common sense to antagonize them? Probably not.

Well, perhaps you work in a store which is more enlightened or which is more selective when following the corporate line. However, I am somewhat surprised that you are not aware that there has been considerable discussion across the nation this week regarding WalMart's change from the "Merry Christmas" greeting to the more generic "Happy Holidays". I understand the insulting point, however, it has come across in the media and in the corporate statements as if the word "Christmas" should not be said by any WalMart employee, even if you know the customer celebrates Christmas. Given the enormous amount of money WalMart makes over the holidays, mostly relating to Christmas, others might feel that Christmas should be mentioned. Other stores have learned this lesson from decreased sales, although I don't think that will necessarily happen to WalMart. However, it's also worth noting that WalMart was concerned enough about a potential Christian boycott, led by the Catholic League, in response to an inflammatory email and the way the website was designed, that WalMart rapidly apologized, fired the emailer and fixed the website. They also close all of their stores only on Christmas Day. Just so you know, the individual at WalMart who publically stated this policy is a Dan Fogleman, Senior Manager, Public Relations. His email has already been posted online and I suspect you should be able to access it internally if necessary. Maybe you didn't get the memo, or maybe you have enough sense to apply it with common sense. In either case, Mer...er... Happy Holidays!

Looking quickly at the locator page it seems that there are at least 6 in MD. 3 on the Eastern Shore and 3 closer to Baltimore. The store locator is on the WalMart website.

I'm with Steakgoddess. If you do need papers, find a local breeder through AKC or friends. If not, go to a shelter or find a rescue group for that breed. You'll be glad you did, and so will the dog!! I'm not sure, but it looks like "truebred" might be a specific registered breeder of labs, as opposed to a generic akc registered "pure bred" lab or other dog. As also noted elsewhere, please do think about the responsibilities and costs associated with dog ownership, BEFORE you get the dog - the shelters are overwhelmed already, and it only gets worse after the holidays.

Brrrr... It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!! Thursday Night: Cold with snow & overnight low: 25 degrees That's perfect!! Shorter lines!! More stuff for me!!