mcwalker

I stopped by a Bon-Ton in Pennsylvania on Sunday. Discounts were mostly around 50% off ticketed price, with some 60 and 70% off. Still, I didn't see much that I considered a real bargain because the printed ticket prices were high. I looked at one particular pair of HiTec hiking boots that I was interested in previously and did an online comparison. Their printed label showed a price of $100 and they were 50% off. But their price for sale on the HiTec website was $70 and other stores and sites had them for just under that price. That makes $50 look good, but I know that I had seen them on sale for 40 to 50% off that $70 price during sales in the past, so a fair deal, but not so great for a true bargain shopper. So maybe worth a visit, but don't be fooled by the % discount alone.

Just back from a little vacation to visit friends in Kentucky. Looking forward to July at home in New York City, but could someone turn down the thermostat a bit?

A pretty sad tale: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/30/business/toys-r-us-closing.html

Fortunately, a computer repair shop was able to repair the control board for my refrigerator and it is working again. I just hope now that it keeps working for another four or five years. The $200 I paid for the repair was a bit steep for the work performed, but much better than the $1,200 plus tax that I would have paid for a similar replacement. Sometimes the best deal is the thing you already own.

Funny you should mention that. The control board on my Frigidaire refrigerator died a couple of weeks ago. I am trying to get the main board repaired as no compatible replacement is available, but I have also been looking at new refrigerators the past couple of weeks to find one that fit's my very specific requirements. I stopped in a Sears to look at the Kenmores and some other brands they carry (as well as other stores). I am likewise concerned with the long term viability of service for Kenmore's if Sears goes under. Ironically, my favorite online appliance parts source is Sears Parts Central and I wonder what would happen to them as well. If you buy another brand from Sears, then the basic warranty would be with that brand anyway. Note that all Kenmore appliances are actually made by other companies, so compatible parts should still be available.

Huh? Looks less distinctive or iconic to me.

Brad, since you root for the Milwaukee Brewers, here's the Black Friday countdown for you: 199 bottles of beer on the wall, 199 bottles of beer . Take one down, pass it around; 198 bottles of beer on the wall. 198 bottles of beer on the wall, 198 bottles of beer . Take one down, pass it around; 197 bottles of beer on the wall. 197 bottles to Black Friday.

Enjoying the warm (and warmish) weather and spring flowers here in New York City. Belated Happy May Day (5/1, International Workers Day), May the Fourth (be with you) , and viva el Cinco de Mayo . I am OK with the basic blue shirt, but might go for another color combo (depending on what it is). Brad, you could create a survey thread with some color choices for people to indicate which ones they would choose if offered, including the standard blue, then put a link in this thread.

The buyers are just liquidators. The stores will be gone soon. And unfortunately in these liquidations, people buy up everything before the discounts get really worthwhile.

Now closing all the rest of the Bon-Ton and related stores. https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/18/heres-a-map-of-all-of-bon-tons-stores.html Sad; they have some nice merchandise with good sales.

Sorry to see today that Bon-Ton is going out of business. We don't have them in New York City, but I like to shop at some occasionally in Pennsylvania and I have made some online orders for specific items the last few Black Fridays. Also includes their other brands (Younkers, Herberger's, Boston Store, Carsons, & Elder-Beeman). https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/18/heres-a-map-of-all-of-bon-tons-stores.html

There was a nice coating of fresh snow on the ground in New York City this morning...welcome to April. But I also see some buds starting to grow on a tree out my windows. I am looking forward to some springtime (any day now).

I haven't shopped at TRU in years as our only daughter is now 17, and I too often found better deals elsewhere. But still somewhat surprised to see it go under. Perhaps with it out of the way, some other B&M stores will expand their toy offerings to compete for the business.

Hello, March! For me, one of the best things about March is when we change to Daylight Savings time on March 11 and shift an extra hour of daylight to a time when I can actually benefit from it.

I finally received the last of my rebate gift cards from Macy's today for the "Free after Rebate" items that I bought on Black Friday. I got seven totaling $80 for buying various qualifying items. It took a while, but free is free (after rebate). And speaking of the flu, like last year, I got my flu shot at Target (CVS) pharmacy on the day before Thanksgiving and got a promotional $5 Target gift card. I haven't had the flu since I started taking the shots every year more than 10 years ago. Sympathies to those who are suffering.

Congratulations to everyone in Philadelphia. Always nice to see an underdog win (unless you are from New England). And green is my favorite color!

It will be nice to see some competition for Best Buy again, but curious how they will fight the Amazon/online shopping challenge that is affecting all these stores.

Happy New Year everyone! Brad, don't you go into hibernation after New Year's Holiday?

Welcome to December. We got our christmas tree at Home Depot yesterday (using gift cards that I bought at Rite Aid on Black Friday). Off to do more errands...

Wow, a miniature GottaDeal BF shirt! Like 18" doll size. Cool.

I think this is the first year that I have not won a shirt to add to my collection, so I will try to guarantee myself one for next year. You are forgiven. I predict a lot of drop offs, but I'm adding 12 reminders to my Outlook calendar right now. Glad I returned after a few days off while driving from Texas to New York, but before the end of the month!

Do you like FREE stuff? I sure do. Following is a list of items that are offered FREE either after a mail-in rebate or "Free" after you get back loyalty points worth what you paid. There are more of these offers this week than any other week of the year. If you find an item that I missed, post it in the comments and I will add it to this list. I am not including items that are free with another purchase (so aren't really free) or the few items offered to the first XX customers in line. For the items from CVS or Rite Aid, you need to be a member of their loyalty programs. Unfortunately, Walgreen's did not offer any freebies this year as they have in the past. A few other tips: Some items are limit one per customer (or family), but some items allow you to get 2 or more with the deal. If you have two or more of the CVS or Rite Aid memberships (say for 2 spouses), you can double the deals if you keep track of what you are doing. The items that are free after points in the pharmacies often disappear if you wait too long. Try to get them early Thursday (anytime after midnight) or check another store for items that are sold out at the first store you try. Be SURE to send in rebate forms as required and use points earned before they expire. These won't be the biggest blockbusters that you buy this Black Friday, but some of them make good stocking stuffers or useful items. And hey, the're FREE. LIST OF FREE ITEMS CVS (Available NOW through November 25) Trolli Candy 6.3 to 8-Ounce (FREE after $1,99 ExtraBucks Reward) $1.99 Hersheys Singles 1.4 to 2-Ounce (FREE after $0.77 Extra Bucks Reward) $0.77 CVS (November 23-25) for ExtraCare members Glade Solid Air Freshner 6-Ounce (FREE after $0.99 ExtraBucks Reward) $0.99 Beauty 360 or Blade 2 Blade Disposable Razor 3-Count (FREE after $1.99 ExtraBucks) $1.99 Colgate Max 6-Ounce, Total 4-4.2-Ounce or 2in1 4.6-Ounce (FREE after $3 Instant Coupon+$0.50 in app Coupon) $3.50 Cottonelle Clean Care, Scott Tube-Free Bath Tissue 9-Roll, Viva Vantige 6-Roll or Kleenex 3-Pack ($1 ExtraBucks Reward) $3.77 CVS Health Pantiliners (FREE after $0.99 ExtraBucks Reward) $0.99 CVS Health Ultra-Soft Cleansing or Baby Wipes 12-20-Count (FREE after $0.99 ExtraBucks Reward) $0.99 G*U*M Deep Clean or Sensitive Care Toothbrush 2-Pack (FREE after $2.50 ExtraBucks Reward) $2.50 Green Giant Vegetables 11-15.25-Ounce (FREE after $0.99 ExtraBucks Reward) $0.99 Physicians Formula Organic Wear, Argan Wear or Sexy Booster Liquid Eyeliner (FREE after $9 ExtraBucks Reward) $9.00 Select Altoids, Necco, Starburst, Skittle Singles or Any Wrigley's Gum Singles (FREE after $0.99 ExtraBucks Reward) $0.99 Select Organic Doctor Skin Care 4.2-6.8-Ounce (FREE after $8 ExtraBucks Reward) $8.00 CVS Alkaline Batteries AA or AAA 4-Pack (FREE after $4.39 ExtraBucks Reward) $4.39 Rite Aid (November 23-25) Magnavox Digital Ear Buds (FREE after $6 in Plenti points) $6.00 GE LED Light Bulbs: Bright Stick 5.5W or 9W 2-Pack (FREE after $5 in Plenti points) $5.00 GE LED Light Bulbs: Daylight 10W or Soft White 6W or 10W 1-Pack (FREE after $5 in Plenti points) $5.00 Kleenex Facial Tissues White 85-Count (FREE after $1 in Plenti points) $1.00 Rite Aid Home Select Tape 3/4" x 300" (2 for $2, or FREE after $2 in Plenti points) $1.00 Colgate Toothpaste: Sensitive 6-oz, Enamel 4-oz, or Optic White 3.5-oz (2 for $8, or 2 FREE after $8 in Plenti points) $4.00 Listerine Pocket Packs 72-Count & All Floss, & Flossers (FREE after $3 in Plenti points) $3.00 Nestle Single Serve Candy Bars (2 FREE after $1 in Plenti points) $0.50 Scunci Elastics 14 to 28- Count or Conair Color Vibes Brushes (FREE after $3 in Plenti points) $3.00 Select Colgate Toothbrushes (2 for $8, or 2 FREE after $8 in Plenti points) $4.00 Zim's Max Freeze Pain Relief and Foot Crème (FREE after $5 in Plenti points) $5.00 Macy’s (In-store only, 5PM Thursday to 2AM Friday, 6AM to 1PM Friday, 8AM to 1PM Saturday) Rebate form provided at register only until 1PM. Disney Olaf Plush Toy (FREE After $10 Mail-In Rebate) $10.00 Glassware Sets (FREE After $10 Mail-In Rebate) $10.00 Lauren Ralph Lauren Logo Pillow in Standard or Queen (FREE After $10 Mail-In Rebate) $10.00 Select Kitchen Electrics (FREE After $10 Mail-In Rebate) $10.00 Gold Toe Slippers for Men (FREE After $10 Mail-In Rebate) $10.00 Graphic Sweatshirts (FREE After $10 Mail-In Rebate) $10.00 Men's Thermal Tops (FREE After $10 Mail-In Rebate) $10.00 Select Tote Bags (FREE After $10 Mail-In Rebate) $10.00 Young Men's Joggers (FREE After $10 Mail-In Rebate) $10.00 BCBG Maxazaria 1.7-Ounce Eau de Parfum Spray (FREE After $12 Mail-In Rebate) $12.00 And one exception to my rule that I think is worth mentioning: the following is free with ANY purchase: Office Depot/Office Max (Friday 7:45 AM to 12:00 Noon) McAfee LiveSafe 1-Year Subscription FREE with ANY Purchase

Now that you know the store opening times (http://forums.gottadeal.com/topic/277488-official-thanksgiving-black-friday-store-hours-thread/) and you are putting together your shopping strategy, I have two related poll questions: What time periods do you plan to be shopping in person at B&M stores? (Select ALL that apply.) What time periods do you plan to be shopping ONLINE? (Select ALL that apply.) When I started this poll years ago I asked what time people were getting in line for their first store, but I think that is less relevant for most people now. ******** Check a time period if you expect to shop a significant part of that time period.

Now that all the key ads are out, it's time for one of my two annual surveys of GottaDeal members. What stores do you plan to shop at this Thanksgiving / Black Friday? Check all that apply in the survey! This is the eighth year I have done this poll, which now has four questions. Apologies if one of your stores is missed.

Macy's, Sears, and Kohls each have one. Search "Dutch" in the box that says, Search Ad Items" at the top right on the GottaDeal Black Friday site (not the Forum) to find this and other specific items. Good ones are rather expensive. We recently bought one at BJ's for $50 that looks pretty good.