Retail’s Weekend Winners – CNBC.com click to watch.
Cyber Monday and an insight on the state of retail following Black Friday weekend, with CNBC’s Bertha Coombs; Regina Lewis, AOL Consumer Adviser; Hitha Prabhakar, Style File Group retail analyst; John Aiken, Majestic Research director of equity research; and CNBC’s Larry Kudlow.
Airtime: Mon. Nov. 30 2009 | :00:0 09 ET
Black Friday: Bargain or Bust? – CNBC.com click to watch
Whether the deals are better than what shoppers will usually see or if it is just another marketing tactic, with Hitha Prabhakar, Style File Group; Brad Wilson, BlackFriday2009.com and CNBC’s Jane Wells.
Airtime: Wed. Nov. 25 2009 | :14:0 09 ET
Wal-Mart Reorganizes, Strikes Deal With Li & Fung:
Interesting… let’s see if Wal-Mart will be able to get it right this time. But with a partnership with Li & Fung I have a feeling they will.
I find it strange how 99% of retailers are scrambling to get the consumer to start spending and build customer loyalty through rewards programs, etc., (Eye on you Amazon (AMZN), Target (TGT) and Best Buy (BBY)) meanwhile they have some of the worst return policies on the planet! This morning I discussed the best and worst return policies on NPR’s “The Takeaway.” Really JCrew (JCG)? Are you REALLY not going to let me return a sale item for a full refund? Ugh. Here are my notes from the interview:
What do you think is the ideal/fair return policy?
I think a full refund (which very few stores rarely do) is fair, OR return/exchange a gift without a reciept which is what H&M is doing. Target (TGT) is also sort of doing that just as long as the price of gift does not exceed $70 in one year.
What do you think is an unfair policy?
Definitely “final sale” at J Crew (JCG) on sale items. What is that all about? Also,
Amazon (AMZN) has 29 different product-specific return policies in addition to it’s regular one for example:
-most unopened items can be returned within 30 days
-items they do not accept back: Hazardous materials, Kindles (after 30 days), downloadable software products, gourmet baskets, health and beauty products, some jewelry
AND If the value is $75 must have a tracking method, items at $500 must be insured. If you are missing orgininal documentation, there will be a 15% re-stocking fee. Annoying!
JC Penny (JCP) requires special occasion dresses to be returned with the “return tag” still in place which prevents people from
wardrobing i.e., buying wearing once, and then returning it.
Overstock.com has a 60% restocking fee for some open used or late items.
Office Max will not accept returns of opened cameras and software unless it is defective.
I don’t think a lot of people are fully aware of these return policies at these stores.
What kind of the hardest items to return?
Undergarments, swimsuits, software, electronics (due to restocking fees, shorter time to return the item and sometimes stores won’t take them back at all).
If I have to retun a gift for a store online do you have suggestions on how to make this return as EASY as possible?
Do your research- most stores do not post their return policies for example, Best Buy lengthened its holiday return period for most items by one to three weeks (until Jan. 31st) but computers still have their 14 day return policy so computer bought on Black Friday can not be returned.
Ask about re-stocking fees: If an item is open add the fee, 30% from Overstock.com, Macys, 15%
Be aware of the tier method (what Amazon and Best Buy (BBY) are doing) : apparel that might have a different date you can return at vs. different than electronics
Buy things on your credit card in case you lose your reciepts: I tend to have about 1,000 slips of paper in my wallet/handbag and the most important reciepts get lost in the tsunami of paper. If you put purchases on your credit card the retailer can pull it up your purchase more quickly.
I have my own method to my madness for Black Friday shopping tonight (I have the most amazing assistant ever who created a map for me, Seth and Sarah Mary plus a KEY for each store we are hitting) but I came across these Black Friday shopping tips on the Best Buy web site and I love them. If you are venturing out tonight- these are incredible FYIs.
All right peeps- in case you were wondering when everything opens for Black Friday I made a consolidated list for ya. For those in NYC the Apple store opens at 12 am tonight with discounts on iPods of up to 30% (BUT if you really want discounts on computers I would hit Mac Mall’s 96 Hour Sale). Also, Wal-Mart is open for 24 hours BUT door busters start at 5:00 am which include $3 nightwear $248 32 inch Emerson plasma TV, a TomTom GPS One 124-SE for $59 and DVDs for $3- $5.
Babies R Us
Sale Starts at 5:00 AM – Ends at 1:00 PM
Bass Pro Shops
Sale Starts at 6:00 AM – Ends at 11:00 AM
Bealls
Sale Starts at 4:00 AM – Ends at 1:00 PM
BestBuy
Sale Starts at 5:00 AM
Cabela’s
Sale Starts at Midnight
Costco
Sale Starts at 9:00 AM
Craft Warehouse
Sale Starts at 6:00 AM
Gander Mountain
Sale Starts at 6:00 AM
Gap Outlets
Sale Starts at Midnight at Participating Stores
Half Price Books
Sale Starts at 7:00 AM – Ends at 10:00 AM
Harbor Freight
Sale Starts at 7:00 AM
Home Depot
Sale Starts at 6:00 AM
JCPenney
Sale Starts at 4:00 AM
Kmart
Sale Starts at 6:00 AM
Kohls
Sale Starts at 4:00 AM – Ends at 1:00 PM
Lowe’s
Sale Starts at 6:00 AM – Ends at Midnight
Meijer
Sale Starts at 5:00 AM – Ends at 12:00 PM
Menards
Sale Starts at 6:00 AM
Northern Tool]
Sale Starts at 6:00 AM
OfficeMax
Sale Starts at 7:00 AM – Ends at 12:00 PM
RadioShack
Sale Starts at 5:30 AM
Sam’s Club
Sale Starts at 5:00 AM
Sears
Sale Starts at 4:00 AM
Sports Authority
Sale Starts at 5:00 AM
Staples
Sale Starts at 6:00 AM – Ends at 10:00 AM
Target
Sale Starts at 5:00 AM – Ends at 12:00 PM
Toys R Us
Sale Starts at Midnight – Ends at 1:00 PM
Aw yea it’s that time of year again! While most of you are gearing up for the Olympics of cooking in yer kitchens, I am gearing up for the Olympics of shopping both off and online. Instead of feeding you a bunch of nonsense deals on stuff you really don’t care about, I’ve decided to ONLY give you the heads up on items I am interested in, i.e., flatscreens, cameras, computers and awesome luxe items. Just a little FYI, these prices go into effect in some cases on Thursday (Wal-Mart has it’s stores open for 24 hours starting ON Thanksgiving) so be sure to check on line, etc., and I will try my best to give you a heads up on store hours via Twitter. Black Friday 2009! Let’s go!
(prices aggregated via www.blackfriday.become.com)
BEST BUY:
Dynex 19″ 720p LCD HDTV (Model # DX-L19-10A) – $149.99
Dynex 32″ 720p LCD HDTV (Model # DX-L321-10A) – $299.99 *
Dynex 40″ 1080p 60Hz LCD HDTV (Model # DX-L40-10A) – $499.99
Insignia 42″ 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV (Model # NS-L42Q120-10A) – $699.99 *
LG 32″ 1080p LCD HDTV (Model # 32LH30-UA) – $439.99
Panasonic Viera 50″ 1080p Plasma HDTV (Model # TC-P50U1) w/Blu-ray Disc Player (Model # DMP-BD60K) – $999.98
Samsung 32″ 1080p LCD HDTV (Model # LN32B530P7F) – $497.99
Samsung 32″ 720p LCD HDTV (Model # LN32B360C5D) – $397.99
Samsung 40″ 1080p 60Hz LCD HDTV (Model # LN40B500P3FXZA) – $597.99
Samsung 42″ 720p Plasma HDTV (Model # PN42B400P3DXZA) – $547.99
Samsung 46″ 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV (Model # UN4686000VF) – $1599.99 *
Samsung 46″ 1080p LCD HDTV (LN46B500P3FXZA) – $847.99
Samsung 50″ 1080p Plasma HDTV (Model # PN50B530S2F) – $897.99
Samsung 50″ 720p Plasma HDTV (Model # PN50B430P2D) – $697.99
Sony 32″ 720p 60Hz LCD HDTV (Model # KDL32L504) – $377.99
Sony 40″ 1080p 60Hz LCD HDTV (Model # KDL40S504) – $662.99
Sony 46″ 1080p 60Hz LCD HDTV (Model # KDL465504) – $852.99
Sharp 42″ 1080p LCD HDTV A2863297 – $599.00
Vizio 55″ LCD HDTV With Blu-Ray Player Bundle
Sony BRAVIA 40″ LCD HDTV A2543748
K-MART
Element 26″ LCD HDTV (Model # 26LE30Q) – $249.99
Panasonic 42″ 720p Plasma HDTV (Model # TC-P42C1) – $549.99
Sony Bravia L Series 32″ Class 720p LCD HDTV (Model # KDL32L504) – $379.99 *
KOHL’S
19″ LCD HDTV w/Built-in DVD Player – $199.99 *
Digital Labs 7 Inch Portable LCD TV – $69.99 *
MEIJER:
Sylvania 19″ Class LCD HDTV – $129.99 *
Sylvania 42″ 1080p LCD HDTV – $499.99 *
OFFICE DEPOT:
Digital Prism 7″ Portable LCD TV ATSC710 – $84.99
Samsung 19″ Widescreen LCD HDTV 933HD – $199.99
Samsung 23″ Widescreen LCD HDTV 2333HD – $249.99
Samsung 26″ Widescreen LCD HDTV T260HD – $299.99
RADIO SHACK:
AOC 22″ 720P LCD HDTV – $199.99
Auvio 3.5″ Pocket Digital TV – $79.99
Auvio 7″ Portable TV – $119.99
Samsung 32″ LCD HDTV – $399.99
SEARS:
AOC 32″ Full HD LCD TV – $379.99
Audiovox Under Cabinet Kitchen 7″ LCD DVD Clock Radio – $179.99
Eviant 7″ Hand Held TV – $89.99
LG 55″ LCD HDTV (Model 55LH40) – $1499.99
Panasonic 42″ Class Plasma HDTV – $649.99 -Doorbuster!
Panasonic 54″ Plasma HDTV (Model #TC-P54G10) – $1499.99
Proscan 40″ Class LCD HDTV (Model #40LC45Q) – $539.99 -Doorbuster!
Samsung 22″ Class LCD HDTV (Model #LN22B350) – $249.99 -Doorbuster!
Samsung 40″ Class 1080p LCD HDTV (Model #LN40B500) – $599.99 -Doorbuster!
Samsung 40″ LED HDTV UN40B6000 – $1399.99
Samsung 42″ Plasma HDTV PN42B400 – $549.99
Samsung 46″ 1080P Class LCD HDTV (Model LN46B500) – $899.99 -Doorbuster!
Samsung 46″ Class LCD HDTV (Model LN46B650) – $1309.99 -Doorbuster!
Samsung 46″ LED HDTV (Model UN46B6000) – $1599.99
Samsung 50″ Class Plasma HDTV (Model PN50B430) – $699.99 -Doorbuster!
Samsung 50″ Plasma HDTV (Model PN50B530) – $899.99
Samsung 52″ LN52B530 LCD HDTV – $1299.99
Samsung 55″ LED HDTV (Model UN55B6000) – $2469.99
Sharp 19″ Class LCD HDTV (Model LC19SB27UT) – $179.99 -Doorbuster!
Sony 32″ Class LCD HDTV (Model KDL-32L504) – $379.99 -Doorbuster!
Sony 40″ Class LCD HDTV (Model KDL40S504) – $664.99 -Doorbuster!
Sony 46″ Class LCD HDTV (Model KDL-46S504) – $854.99 -Doorbuster!
Sony 46″ LCD HDTV (Model KDL46V5100) – $1239.99
Sony 52″ LCD HDTV (Model KDL52V5100) – $1599.99
Toshiba 40″ 1080P Class LCD HDTV (Model 40RV525U/R) – $589.99 -Doorbuster!
VIZIO 32″ ECO HDTV (Model VO320E) – $349.99
Zenith 42″ Class Plasma HDTV (Model #Z42PO2) – $499.99 -Doorbuster!
STAPLES:
Samsung 23″ 2333HD TV/Monitor Combo – $249.98
TARGET:
Apex 40″ Full HD LCD TV – $449.00 *
Haier 7 Inch Portable Digital TV – $79.99
Westinghouse 32″ LCD HDTV – $246.00
WALMART:
Emerson 32″ LC320EMFX LCD 720P HDTV – $248.00 *
Emerson 42″ PL-P42W-10A Plasma 720P HDTV – $448.00 *
Flat-Panel TV Stand – $89.00
Philips Large Fixed TV Mount – $69.00
RCA 46″ L46FHD37R LCD 1080p HDTV (Online Only) – $688.00
Samsung 32″ LN32B360 LCD 720P HDTV (Saturday) – $398.00
Samsung 40″ LN40B500 LCD 1080P HDTV (Saturday) – $598.00
Samsung 42″ PN42B400 Plasma 720P HDTV (Saturday) – $548.00
Samsung 46″ LN46B500 LCD 1080P HDTV (Saturday) – $848.00
Samsung 50″ PN50B400 Plasma 720P HDTV (Saturday) – $698.00
Sansui 19″ HDLCD1909 LCD HDTV – $128.00
Sanyo 50″ DP50719 Plasma HDTV – $598.00
Sony Bravia 32″ KDL32L504 LCD 720P HDTV – $378.00
Sony Bravia 40″ KDL40S504 LCD 1080P HDTV – $598.00
Sony Bravia 46″ KDL46S504 LCD 1080P HDTV – $798.00 *
Two more stations:
KCOL Fort Collins, CO
0935AM ET
KOGO San Diego, CA
1010AM ET
Hi all-
If you are up and shopping (and in the car or walk around listening to the radio) tune into the following stations to hear me give my expert advice and tips on Black Friday:
KTRH Houston, TX
0702AM ET
WSYR Syracuse, NY
0750AM ET
KOA Denver, CO
0835AM ET
WOAI San Antonio, TX
0910AM ET