Black Friday Update 11-25-08

• Apple is said to be offering price matching on Black Friday. Blogs are reporting that the Apple Store will match the prices of other authorized retailers. We still don't know what specific deals they will be offering for their Black Friday sales. They have posted some of the extended holiday store hours. You can find the hours by visiting Apple's store list and then clicking on the store near you. This will take you to that store's webpage. On the individual store page click where it says "see extended holiday hours" and it will show you the store's holiday hours. ifoAppleStore says a few of the Apple Stores are opening as early as 3 a.m. on Black Friday.
• Some people are already waiting in line! Yes, this is ridiculously early to be camped out in front of Best Buy. A Tamba Bay Online article says five people are already camping out in front of the Lakeland Best Buy in Florida. The photograph shows a tent.
• Gizmodo has published the "Ultimate Black Friday Survival Guide." It's a great collection of tips, deals and resources.
• Freebies4Mom.com has a helpful post called Holiday Shopping Safely. The post lists things you can do to be prepared and to shop safely. Unfortunately, not everyone is at the malls or stores to shop on Black Friday so you do have to keep an eye out for trouble.
• USA Today reports that consumers can find good deals beyond Black Friday. This is especially true this year as retailers are likely to have inventory left they need to sell in December. The article cites a Consumer Reports survey that says 25% of consumers are planning to shop on Black Friday.
• Kotaku reports that Hhgregg is making the move into video games on Black Friday. They will begin selling video game bundles November 28th.
• ThinkGeek.com is currently offering $5 off purchases $25 or $10 off purchases $50 or more.
• Wired's Epicenter provides some shopping secrets including information about finding Black Friday ads and coupon codes.
• Consumer Reports Electronics blog explains how "special" derivative TVs - which are made specifically for big promotion events like Black Friday - differ from the standard models. Consumers Reports says, "Because the derivative sets are lower-priced, they typically have lower specs and lack some features found on standard models."
• PC World has a great tip for those looking to buy a PlayStation 3. PC World says sign up for Sony's new Visa card before 12-31-08 and you get $150 credit on the card with a PlayStation 3 purchase.
• Kotaku says Red Octane has several amazing deals on older Guitar Hero products in its pre-Thanksgiving sale.
• GPS Deals: PCmag.com has some good advice for finding the best Black Friday GPS deals at different price levels - the lowest priced GPS models on Black Friday are going for $79.99. Consumer Reports is also blogging about the Best GPS navigation deals for Black Friday 2008.
• The L.A. Times offers some shopping tips and strategies. One tip is to avoid crowded stores for a lesser-crowded one. Maybe one of the other Staples or Best Buy stores in your area is less crowded. This works best if you live in area that has several of the same retailers stores relatively close by.
• Yahoo's Tech blog has posted a Black Friday guide that includes some tips and a close look at some of the tech deals.
• Here is a list of the Top 10 retailer mistakes on Black Friday. The mistakes are all pretty bad but running out of the door-buster merchandise is probably the worst. If people show up for your special deals super early in the morning they don't expect you to run out in an hour or two. Don't make your customers get out of bed early for nothing.
• Punch Jump says Target will offer a free $60 gift card with the purchase of an Xbox 360 Pro on Black Friday.
• PCmag.com has a list of what they say are the top ten Black Friday websites . One of the websites they list is Black Friday Gear. This site has a handy shop by category option. For example, on this page you can browse the HD TV Black Friday deals.
• Trouble waking up? Have the retailer give you a wake-up call: JCPenny will wake you up at 3 am on Black Friday if you want them to.
• There are also many deals going on right now. ShoppersShop.com lists some fashion deals that are going on now.
• Other current deals include free shipping and 15-20% off event at Macy's that ends 11-26-08. eBags.com is offering 20% off until December 1st. Walter Drake is offering 25% off until December 1st.
• WildTies.com is offering 20% off until 12-25-08 with coupon code: Save20
• Spencer Gifts is offering 10% off your order until 12-1-08 with coupon code SHAF10 at its online store, SpencersOnline.com.