When to buy the X-mas present.

Vego · 06-24-2009, 08:17 AM

Hi.

I'm one of those that make or buy all my Christmas gifts throughout the year, so that if I don't have a gift for you by December, you don't get one...

This year, I've decided to buy an e-book viewer for every family member, and herein lies the problem: Devices are constantly popping up, the market is fairly new, and we have six months to Christmas.

I would not like to wait for the last minute, but when dealing with electronics, isn't this the best choice?

When should I buy? Will the best choices be available before December?

pdurrant · 06-24-2009, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vego

When should I buy? Will the best choices be available before December?

There should be several more options before December, including new 5" and 6" models. I don't think we'll see any colour models or ones with plastic substrates.

I'd wait until the start of November before ordering. And only order something that's actually shipping.

Sweetpea · 06-24-2009, 09:06 AM

After September, there should be some new ones on the market. So, use September and October to look around and November to start ordering

(Can I be part of your family this year?)

desertgrandma · 06-24-2009, 11:23 AM

Welcome to mobileRead, vego.

Wow, you are generous.

Enjoy the forums!.

emellaich · 06-24-2009, 12:17 PM

The big question ... have these hit mainstream enough to be part of the black friday sales?

Sweetpea · 06-25-2009, 02:22 AM

What is the black friday sales?

HarryT · 06-25-2009, 02:49 AM

"Black Friday"? What the heck is that?

dreams · 06-25-2009, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

"Black Friday"? What the heck is that?

Well, the short and sweet answer is.... only the biggest shopping day of the whole year. The day after Thanksgiving (actually about 4 AM is the start) stores have major, major sales. There are "door busters" or "the first 100 shoppers" get a special deal in addition to the regular Black Friday prices. Lots of different names for the sales, but the basic idea is that it is usually one of the best sales day of the year.

Families and/ or friends plan in advance and make a major "party" day of the whole experience..

dreams · 06-25-2009, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

What is the black friday sales?

Sometimes the prices are so great that people will camp out (sleep in chairs or on the ground on the sidewalk) to hold their place in line. Some stores will provide coffee and sometimes police / security will be around. This is somewhat of a tradition and is saved for and anticipated by many people.

Welcome to MR, Vego and what a fantastic idea for Christmas gifts!!! Will you adopt me?

PS I also like your idea of calling them "viewers" sounds kind of sci-fi to me

Sweetpea · 06-25-2009, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreams

Well, the short and sweet answer is.... only the biggest shopping day of the whole year. The day after Thanksgiving (actually about 4 AM is the start) stores have major, major sales. There are "door busters" or "the first 100 shoppers" get a special deal in addition to the regular Black Friday prices. Lots of different names for the sales, but the basic idea is that it is usually one of the best sales day of the year.

Families and/ or friends plan in advance and make a major "party" day of the whole experience..

Sounds like a great day to lock your door and don't come out...

HarryT · 06-25-2009, 06:02 AM

Thank you.

Sweetpea · 06-25-2009, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emellaich

The big question ... have these hit mainstream enough to be part of the black friday sales?

Oh, when is this black friday? (so, when is Thanksgiving?) You still haven't gotten an answer to your question

Dave_S · 06-25-2009, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

Oh, when is this black friday? (so, when is Thanksgiving?) You still haven't gotten an answer to your question

This year, the American Thanksgiving day is 26 November, so that would make Black Friday 27 November.

The American Thanksgiving holiday is always the last Thursday of November.

emellaich · 06-25-2009, 02:23 PM

Sorry, it is a US reference.

Black Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year in the US. In theory, it is the day when retailers start making money. It takes all of their sells up to that day to cover their costs, and from then on they make profit. From an accounting view, losses are in red, and profits are in black, thus black Friday. Of course, accounting for profit/loss doesn't really work that way (where you incur all of the expenses first) so its a funny concept.

Anyway, to spur sales there are often some incredible sales and it is often the point in time when price break throughs occur. For example, GPS systems had been selling in the $350 range a couple of years ago and black friday brought a $200 price point. Last year, there were several price points in the $75 to $125 range for GPS systems. The interesting thing is that once these break throughs occur they often stick (at least for sales). Although you can still buy quite expensive GPS systems, you can usually find them on sale for $100 to $125. Not quite as good as the $75 black Friday price.

Black Friday is seen as a major Christmas shopping day. The sale prices usually concentrate on 'hot' categories that are used to pull customers into the store so they buy regular stuff.

So, back to my original comment. When book readers break through to become of broad consumer interest I expect them to be eligible for Black Friday sale pricing. Given the timeline on new introductions, I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see a surge in product availability -- possibly for this Christmas, definitely next Christmas. That would allow pixel qi to get in the game. At that point in time, I would expect to see some interesting bargains for Christmas.

Furthermore, in reaction to black friday the online stores have begun to focus on 'cyber monday'. Supposedly these are sales that are timed to occur on the Monday after black friday and its the online method of competing with black friday sales. Of course, cyber monday effects aren't limited to the U.S. . Therefore, I expect to see online sales of consumer electronics occuring beginning on that day.

Sweetpea · 06-26-2009, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave_S

This year, the American Thanksgiving day is 26 November, so that would make Black Friday 27 November.

The American Thanksgiving holiday is always the last Thursday of November.

In that case, at the end of november, there should have been a new set of ereaders been introduced. Both in Europe and in the States. So, they might be in those sales (just to get people's attention to it and away from that Kindle!)

06-24-2009, 08:17 AM	#1
Vego Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: Sonys PRS	When to buy the X-mas present. Hi. I'm one of those that make or buy all my Christmas gifts throughout the year, so that if I don't have a gift for you by December, you don't get one... This year, I've decided to buy an e-book viewer for every family member, and herein lies the problem: Devices are constantly popping up, the market is fairly new, and we have six months to Christmas. I would not like to wait for the last minute, but when dealing with electronics, isn't this the best choice? When should I buy? Will the best choices be available before December? Last edited by Vego; 06-24-2009 at 08:19 AM.

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emellaich Wizard Posts: 1,101 Karma: 4388403 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: Palm>Ebookman>IPaq>Axim>Cybook>Kndl2>IPAD>Kndl3SO>Voyager>Oasis	The big question ... have these hit mainstream enough to be part of the black friday sales?

06-25-2009, 02:22 AM	#6
Sweetpea Grand Sorcerer Posts: 9,707 Karma: 32763414 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Krewerd Device: Pocketbook Inkpad 4 Color; Samsung Galaxy Tab S6	What is the black friday sales?

06-25-2009, 02:49 AM	#7
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	"Black Friday"? What the heck is that?

06-25-2009, 06:02 AM	#11
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Thank you.

06-25-2009, 02:23 PM	#14
emellaich Wizard Posts: 1,101 Karma: 4388403 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: Palm>Ebookman>IPaq>Axim>Cybook>Kndl2>IPAD>Kndl3SO>Voyager>Oasis	Sorry, it is a US reference. Black Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year in the US. In theory, it is the day when retailers start making money. It takes all of their sells up to that day to cover their costs, and from then on they make profit. From an accounting view, losses are in red, and profits are in black, thus black Friday. Of course, accounting for profit/loss doesn't really work that way (where you incur all of the expenses first) so its a funny concept. Anyway, to spur sales there are often some incredible sales and it is often the point in time when price break throughs occur. For example, GPS systems had been selling in the $350 range a couple of years ago and black friday brought a $200 price point. Last year, there were several price points in the $75 to $125 range for GPS systems. The interesting thing is that once these break throughs occur they often stick (at least for sales). Although you can still buy quite expensive GPS systems, you can usually find them on sale for $100 to $125. Not quite as good as the $75 black Friday price. Black Friday is seen as a major Christmas shopping day. The sale prices usually concentrate on 'hot' categories that are used to pull customers into the store so they buy regular stuff. So, back to my original comment. When book readers break through to become of broad consumer interest I expect them to be eligible for Black Friday sale pricing. Given the timeline on new introductions, I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see a surge in product availability -- possibly for this Christmas, definitely next Christmas. That would allow pixel qi to get in the game. At that point in time, I would expect to see some interesting bargains for Christmas. Furthermore, in reaction to black friday the online stores have begun to focus on 'cyber monday'. Supposedly these are sales that are timed to occur on the Monday after black friday and its the online method of competing with black friday sales. Of course, cyber monday effects aren't limited to the U.S. . Therefore, I expect to see online sales of consumer electronics occuring beginning on that day.