Predictions for this year's sales?

[Brad]

How do you think this year will compare with recent years as far as number of sales, quality of deals, sale formats, etc?

 

Do you think the election will cause retailers to shift their sale dates in any way? Black Friday also falls on the 29th, which is the latest possible day (and gives retailers much less time between BF and Christmas) so will that cause sales to start even earlier?

 

What items do you think we'll see the best deals on this year? What items are you hoping to score deals on?

 

Share your thoughts and remember that posts in this forum qualify for the giveaways we'll be having this year (more on that soon).

[Kanyon71]

I honestly think they will have even more sales spread out over the months. As for quality of the sales, well sadly I think they will continue to disappoint. 
 

As for things on our list we are looking for travel deals to take our daughter to see and do different BT things. Looking for a new clarinet for her (she plays in school band) and my wife asked for one of those Dyson Airwraps so hoping for a good deal on that. 

[ytmomof4]

I think we will have more sales or at least hoping and that there are better deals on the things I’m looking for.

[berry1014]

I see some stores having early (pre BF) sales but I think over all the sales will be lacking. The last few years the actual BF sale have been a disappointment. I scored better deals on items during the summer and early fall then what the preBF/BF sales had them for. 

[lucyismycat]

Yep, I think it will be more sales, but with smaller discounts. And I also think they will be earlier.  It seems like they just get more diluted every year.  My kids are getting sports gear, and there are never any sales on any of that.  

[AuntieJul]

More Pre-BF sales, but not because of the election. And I imagine there will continue to be a lot of deep discounts throughout retail to make room on the shelves - I've seen lots of clearance inventory to move out of stores! 

[Hubbalance]

I don't think it will change much... spread out and lame sales. I don't know what I am looking for. DH has been out of work since June and he starts a new job in 2 weeks so things will be tighter than usual tightness this Christmas. So nothing too big.

[mcwalker]

Like others have said, I think it will be similar to recent years, with sales spread out before Black Friday, but with general discounts and "doorbusters" less than impressive for those of us who remember Black Fridays of years ago.  The election will not affect sales, but the late date of BF will just reinforce the trend to earlier sales marketed as part of "Black Friday."

 

[cllehto]

I agree with most posters....more pre black Friday sales and less great deals.

 

I don't think the election will have much effect because it's too close to black Friday.

 

The sales have already started earlier this year. 

 

I'm hoping for better sales on smaller size TVs...under 50 inches....and grills. Those two items had super deals a few years ago.

[ilikefree]

I'm not really looking for anything specific at this point. I honestly don't expect any great sales or deals, just as the past few years have shown us. Sure, there are places that have "sales", but nothing earth-shattering like years ago. It seems like all the stores have the same things on sale every year and those sales aren't that great anymore.

[wonder77]

On 9/10/2024 at 2:17 PM, ilikefree said:

I honestly don't expect any great sales or deals, just as the past few years have shown us. Sure, there are places that have "sales", but nothing earth-shattering like years ago. It seems like all the stores have the same things on sale every year and those sales aren't that great anymore.

Fully agree on not expecting any great sales....

 

having said that, will be looking to see any good GC deals on unlocked older iPhone models (13, 14 or 15) and big TVs (65"+) although not very hopeful on TVs as DW is very particular about getting a Sony TV

[setlok73]

I think they are going to continue to spread out the deals over weeks.  This really messes me up when I am trying to plan on purchases but it changes weekly (rather than planning for the one day).  I think based on the economy the stores are gonna need some really big sales and not just on tv's.  Honestly I think most folks are over the TV deals unless they just had one go out.

[tinkrbel]

Same as above, if anything it will get worse instead of better but......I'm open to being proved wrong

 

Aside from a job, my mom's iPad and a new expandable travel backpack for me, we don't need much. Roblox giftcard deal will probably work for nieces and nephews so a deal would be nice and maybe a couple fun game deals for the PS5 crew. I've all but given up on a carry on luggage I like. Hoping for more online sales vs having to deal with folks, it's only getting worse with time. If we're going with pipe dreams, a new car would be PERFECTION but I think mine can still hold out another year or two.

[pudd75]

Last year was the least shopping I’ve done on BF in years. I wondered if it’s because many of us are online and not standing in line for hours… Feels like the retailers rewarded those shoppers who were out in the stores making BF what it is.

[lilwywy]

I think the sales will be around the same as last year. I didn't see much I wanted to get last year but I am hoping that there will be better deals this year. I do feel ads will kick off sooner, gets earlier and earlier every year. I want to get a new smartwatch for my grandpa this year .

[Gator Pam]

I received an email saying Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days will be October 8th and 9th. I don’t remember if this event happened before or if it was this early if it has. But it definitely feels as if it is earlier than ever.

[magickallight]

26 minutes ago, Gator Pam said:

I received an email saying Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days will be October 8th and 9th. I don’t remember if this event happened before or if it was this early if it has. But it definitely feels as if it is earlier than ever.

 

This isn't their Black Friday sale - it's their now "semi-annual" Prime Day Sale (for Prime Members only). In my thoughts it is a way to get you to do a trial of Prime and keep it for Black Friday - who knows?!? But it is causing rumors of a bunch of other sites to come against them with deals of their own. (At this rate we will ALL be out of money prior to Black Friday - LOL).

[len_mullen]

I have no predictions for this BF.  BF will, in large part, be driven by the presidential election.  Who gets in will signal what the next four years will be like for retailers, importers, and consumers.  The stock market is lifting a lot of ships right now.  The election could sink those ships.

 

I don't worry about those things.  I have my shopping list.  I have my strike points.  

 

I'm not in the market for 'the usual things' -- computers, TVs, and other tech.  This year, I'm looking for thoughtful, heartfelt things...though I have no idea what those look like.

 

Just the same, my list does include one or three video cards if the stars align.  And I think they will (I guess this is my prediction).  For the most part, computers, and especially video cards, are grossly overpriced.  Pricing has not kept up with market realities -- like the end of crypto mining -- and has celebrated delusions -- like Windows 11 and AI.  I suspect 'back to school' numbers will dampen computer prices and predict I will score three > 4060 cards for less than $500 each.

[Bopeep]

I suppose BF could be affected by the anticipation of the election. But I believe BF is planned way too far in advance to be affected by the outcome of the election.  I will be the first to admit though, that I'm no economist and I really don't know how these things work :).

 

 

[len_mullen]

2 hours ago, Bopeep said:

I suppose BF could be affected by the anticipation of the election. But I believe BF is planned way too far in advance to be affected by the outcome of the election.  I will be the first to admit though, that I'm no economist and I really don't know how these things work :).

 

 

It's the consumption end of the transaction that would be affected.  If consumer confidence plummets, then retailers will need to react to clear inventory. 

 

It's an interesting conundrum.  If one side wins, consumer confidence could tumble resulting in deals for the rest of us.  If the other side wins, inventory could be dumped to avoid tariffs.  Either way, I win  

Edited September 18 by len_mullen

[mommy2twingles]

Like others I think more sales spread out but nothing great.  While I don't think the election will have an effect on the sales since they have already been planned I am concerned that things are going to be a little crazy after the election regardless of who wins.  We have started stalking up on the essentials just in case. 

[drod58]

I think the past few years the sales at the beginning of November have been better thank the actual black friday day.

 

I don't think elections will affect the sales/

[ytmomof4]

What are we thinking on Apple Watches. I have a 3 that works perfect but I would love to have a newer one that has the sleep apnea monitor. I’m cheap so idk if it will happen for me this year or not. 

[Bopeep]

On 9/28/2024 at 4:22 PM, ytmomof4 said:

What are we thinking on Apple Watches. I have a 3 that works perfect but I would love to have a newer one that has the sleep apnea monitor. I’m cheap so idk if it will happen for me this year or not. 

I didn’t know sleep apnea monitoring was a thing. That might be an interesting feature. I have the 6 and it works fine so I don’t know that I could justify getting a new one, but I might have to look into what other fun things they’ve added to convince me to give Apple ALL my money.

[connieh]

Lots of presales for sure.  

Hoping for great deals on TV's 

 

[mjbateman]

I think sales will be spreader out this year. There may be some good deals due to the fact that most of us are looking for savings more these days. I want a carpet cleaner and will spoil the grandkids a bit with video games and a new game console.

[ytmomof4]

10 hours ago, Bopeep said:

I didn’t know sleep apnea monitoring was a thing. That might be an interesting feature. I have the 6 and it works fine so I don’t know that I could justify getting a new one, but I might have to look into what other fun things they’ve added to convince me to give Apple ALL my money.

Same my 3 works fine but I’m intrigued by the sleep apnea monitoring.it looks like it’s only on the 9 and 10 as of now. I’m hoping maybe a good deal that will make it worth upgrading 

[Kanyon71]

They usually have at least a couple different models on sale. My wife wants one of those Dyson Air Wrap things. If she hadn’t asked for that I was going to replace her Apple Watch. 

[MariahA]

I think spread out - looking at you Walmart, Target, and Amazon and sales next week ! Some decent deals but nothing crazy. I'm just hoping for some good deals on kids books and the toys my oldest wants that are pretty much only Amazon unless the farm store gets in 1/64 combines in their big toy shipment !

[okannie]

I am like everyone else and don't really expect fantastic sales. I am hoping for a deal on a Kindle paperwhite and food gift cards for my granddaughter. Look to pick up some small things for her and her Dad. Not sure what to get others just yet. I have a small family who are all grown. We mostly buy what we want through the year. Maybe look for a bargain on a get-away weekend. Maybe I will be surprised, we shall see.