OK all you penny-pinching Black Friday warriors, there's been a slight change in the game plan this year.
It's no secret that retailers are looking at flat Christmas sales. At least that's what the retail trade groups are saying. But if you look back and compare what they have predicted in years past to what the sold you'll see they're often conservative with forecasts and happy with sales that beat the estimates. But that's another story.
What does seem certain this year is retailers have pared back their inventories and are kick starting the shopping season early. So early that the first Christmas displays are appearing before the Halloween offerings are off the shelves.
The bottom line for the bargain hunters who play the waiting game for rock-bottom discounts at the end of the season is simply this: You may find slim pickings this year if you wait too long.
Kathy Grannis, of the National Retail Federations, says bargain hunters can expect earlier promotions this year. You don't have to expect that. It's already here.
A quick Web check shows that Blackfricay.info currently has three '09 updates. One touts a $199.99 Nintendo rumor. And Black Friday 2009 is busy gathering e-mail addys for their alerts. They also have links to some coupon codes for pre-holiday sales. Consider it a Black Friday warm up.
Some retailers are also building sales kitties with special layaway plans or Christmas-club cards. Those who buy in by the end of this month get an extra 3% bonus went the sales are rolled out.
The answer to the "what will be the hot bargain" this year is also beginning to emerge.
Shawn DuBravac, director of research for the Consumer Electronics Association told the folks at Kiplinger.com that he expects to see Blu-ray disc players for $99 and a lots of deals on computers and netbooks. He also thinks retailers will offer some good software bundles with computer deals.
If a new computer is one of the items on you list, it might be a good ideal to read Ted Como's blog that went live on timesnews.net Monday. It's all about the ins-and-outs of upgrading to Windows7.
According to Kiplinger, clothing shoppers will find deeper discounts on store bands this year, but not so much elsewhere.
For those who are beginning to make their list and check it twice here's links to some of the sites that will keep you up-to-date on Black Friday happenings and some comparison shopping sites you can use to compare prices and deals.
BlackFriday@gottadeal
Black Friday 2009
Consumer Search collects product reviews..
RetailMeNot is a mega coupon code site covering 20,000 online stores. Just copy the code of the product you want and enter it when checking out online.
Beat My Priceshops for you .
BlackFridaylists the best sales at major retail stores.
FatWallet tracks online deals.
PriceGrabber.com comparison shops for you.
Woot consistently delivers remarkable deals on stuff you didn't know you wanted.