mcwalker

And as soon as I said that I discovered that one of the cameras offered by Staples wasn't on my list--added it to the bottom last night, so you can do a resort next time you upload. I will be adding more details on the cameras tonight-doing one manufacturer at a time.

I figure the weather Thanksgiving night / BF morning will be somewhere between the Thursday and Friday forecasts. Unfortunately for us in the New York City area, that means rain . (Minnesotta and Wisconsin will be snowy (good for Brad since he will be staying at his computer anyway), and the Windy City will be .... windy.) Thursday Forecast (as of Sunday evening) http://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/af182/mcwalker59/ThuForecast.jpg Friday Forecast (as of Sunday evening) http://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/af182/mcwalker59/FriForecast.jpg

I posed the survey refrring only to the b&m stores that people expect to actually go to on BF. I meant to include a separate line for all onine shopping, but forgot. Anyway, if someone knows they will order from a particular store, they could include it.

I guess there are no real surprises here: Target and Walmart way out in front and neck-and-neck for "first place" (most GD shoppers). For all the discussion that Best Buy gets, I might have thought it would get a higher percentage. Is that just because their range of merchandise is narrower, or because people are deliberately avoiding it? A little surprising how popular Walgreens is on BF, too. The lesson here is that if one of the third tier stores (say Staples) has the same key item you want as one of the top destinations, go there to avoid the crowds and increase your chances of getting the item.

Thanks, nice improvement! And thanks for reordering the camera and camcorder tables-- it shouldn't be necessary to do that again unless we see another item advertized.

Thanks for the list, and I like the order, too.

Still early for a really good forecast (I figure about 3-4 days out is pretty good), but for us in NYC, the forecast is 50% chance of showers on Thanksgiving, all sunny on BF, with a high of 50 degrees Thanksgiving, 43 degrees on BF, and a low of a chilly 33 degrees while we are waiting in line that one night (but hopefully dry by that time).

Don't think you would see such deals in BF advertising as BF deals are targeted to mass markets. Suggest that you check B&H photo for good prices on "body only": http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/browse/Photography/ci/989/N/4294538916

ONE WEEK left! Seven days! (Excuse the all caps, but this is gettting exciting.)

You might see if you can buy one Wednesday (or earlier) and use Sears' "price protection" to get the difference to the BF price credited back. I got a BluRay player at Sears two years ago using their price adjustment policy. I went in the store Wednesday afternoon just to scope it out and found that they only had one of the items in that store. On a whim, I asked the manager if I could buy it and get the credit on BF. Took the unit Wednesday, and returned with the reciept during doorbuster hours on BF (after other stops) and got the difference credited back to my credit card. Suggest that you be sure to speak to a local manager and get his/her name, and go back to the same person if needed for the credit. The following is from the Sears web site today and clearly indicates that they should honor it on Black Friday! "Price Protection Policy Buy with confidence from Sears. If an item you have purchased from Sears goes on sale for a lower price within 14 days of your purchase, Sears will refund the difference. To claim a Price Protection Policy adjustment, go to your original Sears store where the purchase was made with your receipt. If your purchase was made on Sears.com, please fill out a Price Protection form . You will be given a refund for the difference of the original selling price and the current advertised/reduced price. Apparel clearance merchandise and conditional “Online Only Special Offers” do not qualify for Price Protection Policy adjustments. Unless otherwise stated, promotions with a specific time window such as early open specials, one -day sales or “Online Only” events will be honored under the Price Protection policy only if the receipt is presented during the promotional time window." http://www.sears.com/shc/s/nb_10153_12608_NB_CSpricematch?adCell=W4

Note: The comparison tables list each of the 12 cameras and 6 camcorders offered by Sears separately, even though they appear as as a single line on the main GD "Digital Cameras" list.

Which stores do you plan to shop this BF? Check all that apply!

I am shopping for a new point and shoot camera and a new DSLR to upgrade from my "prosumer" camera, so I volunteered with stationchief to prepare comparison lists of all the cameras (and threw in the camcorders for good measure). The camera and camcorder comparison tables can be found along with the other tables at: http://blackfriday.thestationchief.com Last year, there were 85 cameras and 25 camcorders listed on GottaDeal. So far I have put 127 cameras and 48 camcorders on the comparison lists this year. I think I have finally caught up and every camera/camcorder from the ads is listed, but as you will see, some information has not yet been entered. Note that certain cameras and camcorders are being offered by multiple stores, while others are unique to one store's BF offerings. I invite comments on cameras / camcorders in this thread. If you see a mistake on one of the tables, please post here or drop me a PM. So, what is the "best camera/camcorder deal?" Well, it really depends on the features that you want. Cameras are classified in four types on the list: - Point and Shoot (P&S) are generally smaller and simpler, but can vary considerably in quality, capability, and flexibility. There is great choice of P&S cameras on BF. - Single Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras are always larger, more flexible, and more capable (especially in low light situations), and generally cost more. The number of SLR choices offered on BF is much smaller than for P&S, and people seriously considering an SLR might also consider other models not offered. - Prosumer cameras are "transitional" between P&S and SLR. They are usually larger than P&S, smaller than SLR. Due to their larger lenses, they mimic the shape of an SLR, but their lenses are not removable/interchangeable. - Novelty cameras: I have included simple cameras for kids and some other specialized cameras in this group. Although kids cameras can take pictures, these should be considered toys, so a P&S might be a better choice even for some children. For the camcorders, I have two classifications on the list: - Pocket camcorders are generally smaller (though some might require a larger pocket). Some of these have swing out LCD sreens, but generally, the screen or viewfinder is fixed on the back of the camcorder. - Palm camcorders are generally a bit larger, and have better capabilities. Most of these have an LCD screen that swings out, and may pivot as well. I will keep adding info to the tables. In the meantime, what cameras/camcorders are people looking for? What deals do you like in the ads?

I have used a cart in some stores, not others, mainly depending on how much I was getting at the particular store. Yes, I have been stuck in some cart jams, but it has not prevented me from getting the things I went for, an allowed me to carry a lot. I do think the idea of oversized shoulder bags, like the one from Ikea, is a great idea if getting a bunch of smaller items. I will probably take one this year.

No need to take those seats out. 32" TV boxes just aren't that big. If you have a chance, stop by Walmart before BF and pick up the box just to get an idea. While you are there, ask if they know where that item will be BF, though that shoulld not be a problem with them opening 5 hours before the Doorbusters.

I got a 32" at Target last year. Should be no problem carying it. Note: This may be a little different at Walmart, since they will already be open, but consider: You may want to get a cart first, then the TV, then other items, but the cart may slow you down if that is an issue. Or get the TV first, then get a cart, then pick up easier items and put in the cart. Do not leave the TV in the cart and walk away, even for a moment--someone may take it. If you will be making multiple stops on BF, and can't fit everything in a car trunk, consider taking and old blanket or dark sheet in your car to hide the TV and other valuables while in other stores. A car break-in would really ruin your day.

Site is currently down for "Enhancement." Probably got overwhelmed with interest. I also have a card, and did not get an e-mail. I think its possible I did not give e-mail when I got the card, or perhaps checked something to prevent e-mail. Going to change that when their site is back up (at least for the duration of this promo.)

None. :) There are stores that I just won't get to, due to the particular deals I am looking for, but I am not really intimidated enough to completely avoid any particular store, and have been to all of the majors on two or more of my past four Black Fridays. I am, however, not inclined to choose Walmart as my first store, although I would go there later.

My wife wants a new sofa for Christmas. Furniture stores have sales all the time, but I was wondering whether the deals are better on Black Friday or the weekend than at other times. I saw a thread from a few years ago, but it wasn't really clear whether the sales that weekend were better than other times. Anyone had experience with this?

Probably Nassau Hub area, Long Island, New York

Just compared the cameras between F&F and BF ads. Many of the same models are offered and all but one were a bit cheaper on BF (the other one was equal). Noted randomly that a Digital Multimeter (for testing electrical circuits) that I am looking at is $1 less on F&F than the same item offered as a BF Doorbuster, so you have to compare item by item.

I don't take a paper but have managed to get them at reasonable hours Thanksgiving morning wherever I was in recent years. This year, like last, I will mosey on over to the corner newsstand "bodega" (it's a New York thing) at 8 or so.

I'd prefer without the mail-in rebates, too, but if it allows them to offer more and better discounts to those of us who follow through with the rebate submissions, then I will take it.

This is a great idea on the part of OSHA and well done! I hope more stores heed the advice. (Good government at work. :)) Note: The second link in the text is not working because the asterisk (*) at the end is not supposed to be part of the URL. So just use BigJim's link or delete the asterisk from the address line in the browser

That seems like an odd time for a release--miss the holiday season! Must be having programming or production problems.