Black Friday 2015

[tubemonkey]

Black Friday (Tablets & eReaders) 2015

• Black Friday 2015 = Fri 27 Nov
• Cyber Monday 2015 = Mon 30 Nov

Well, well, well, it's that time of year again. It's Black Friday time. I generally start this thread when the first BF ad drops. This year, the BF ad for Half Price Books was leaked on 02 Oct.

BF is no longer a 2-3 day shopping event. Thanks to a major shift to online shopping, BF now lasts several weeks with frequent deals that may or may not be better than the planned door busters. The last several years saw online BF deals starting just after midnight on Thanksgiving morning, with some stores opening their doors later that day. Expect this trend to continue with even earlier openings this year. Also, some stores will offer bonus deals and earlier shopping times for their preferred customers (memberships, reward cards, etc).

Only book-related hardware will be tracked in this thread (tablets, ereaders, media players, computers, digital storage, accessories, etc). The OP will serve as a master index for these categories; linking to ad scans and posts with device and pricing specifics.

Feel free to post any BF stories and experiences you may have. Pics and videos are also welcome. I hate dull, boring threads loaded with stats.

* Off-Topic Deals -- I don't mind if you point out deals in non-book related categories and a little back and forth discussion; but if further discussion is needed, please PM the members involved or start a thread in the Lounge. Remember, the primary focus of this thread is book-related technology.


Black Friday Websites

• BFAds --> ad scans -- forum
• GottaDeal --> ad scans -- forum
• SlickDeals --> ad scans -- forum

Master Index

1. Master Index
2. Store Index
3. Black Friday Sales -- Live
4. Tablets
5. eReaders
6. Media Players
7. No Contract Phones
8. Computers
9. Digital Storage
10. Credit Cards & Gift Cards
11. Wish List --> post your requests and I'll add you to the list
12. Shopping Tips
13. Shipping & Returns

.

[tubemonkey]

Store Index

Below is a listing of stores with book related technology. Links will be provided to each store's BF or regular website. Ad scans of their BF ads will be linked to the opening times for their doorbusters. Note that some stores will have multiple doorbuster sales with multiple opening times; while others will have multiple sales on different days. Because of this, each store will have a separate post with detailed information. For stores with multiple sales, I'll list the first one. To see the others, click on the details link. If I missed a store, let me know and I'll add it.


Master Ad Scan Lists

• BFAds Ad Scans
• GottaDeal Ad Scans
• SlickDeals Ad Scans

Store Index

• Amazon (AMZ) --> ad scan --> store: n/a --> online: Thu --> details
• Barnes & Noble (BN) --> ad scan --> store: Thu --> online: Thu --> details
• Best Buy (BB) --> ad scan --> store: 5pm Thu --> online: Thu --> details
• BJ's Wholesale (BJS) --> ad scan --> store: 7am Fri --> online: xxx --> details
• Costco (COS) --> ad scan --> store: 9am Fri --> online: xxx --> details
• Del Home (DEL) --> ad 1 / ad 2 --> store: n/a --> online: 6pm ET Thu --> details
• Fred Meyer (FM) --> ad scan --> store: 5am Fri --> online: n/a --> details
• Half Price Books (HPB) --> ad scan --> store: 9am Fri --> online: n/a --> details
• Meijer (MEI) --> ad scan --> store: 6am Thu --> online: n/a --> details
• Office Depot (OD) --> ad scan --> store: 6pm Thu --> online: Thu --> details
• RadioShack (RS) --> ad scan --> store: 8am Thu --> online: Wed --> details
• Sam's Club (SC) --> ad scan --> store: 7am Fri --> online: Thu --> details
• Staples (STP) --> ad scan --> store: 6am Fri --> online: Thu --> details
• Target (TAR) --> ad scan --> store: 6pm Thu --> online: Thu --> details
• Toys"R"Us (TRU) --> ad scan --> store: 5pm Thu --> online: xxx --> details
• Walmart (WAL) --> ad scan --> store: 6pm Thu --> online: Thu --> details

• Frys.com (FRY) --> ad scan --> store: 5pm Thu --> online: Thu --> details
• hhgregg (HHG) --> ad scan --> store: 4pm Thu --> online: xxx --> details
• Kmart (KM) --> ad 1 / ad 2 --> store: 6am Thu --> online: xxx --> details
• Microsoft (MST) --> ad scan --> store: xxx --> online: 12am ET Thu --> details
• Newegg (NEW) --> ad scan --> store: n/a --> online: Thu --> details
• Sears (SEA) --> ad scan --> store: 6pm Thu --> online: xxx --> details

.

[tubemonkey]

Black Friday Sales
.

[tubemonkey]

Tablets --> (retail/lowest) --> Black Friday --> current


Amazon Fire Tablets -->

• Fire HD 10 --> ($230/$180) --> $180 (Amz) -- exp 19 Dec
• Fire HD 8 --> ($150/$130) --> $130 (Amz) -- exp 19 Dec
• Fire HD 6 --> ($100/$60) --> $80 (Amz) -- exp 19 Dec
• Fire Kids 7 --> ($100/$85) --> $90 (Amz) -- exp 19 Dec
• Fire Tab 7 --> ($50/$35) -->

• Fire HD 8 Bundle --> ($xx/$150) -->
• Fire HD 6 Bundle --> ($xx/$60) -->
• Fire 7 Tab Bundle --> ($xx/$55) -->

Apple iPads -->

• Air 2 - 128G --> ($699/$575) -->
• Air 2 - 64GB --> ($599/$449) -->
• Air 2 - 16GB --> ($499/$399) -->

• Air - 32GB --> ($449/$449) -->
• Air - 16GB --> ($399/$319) -->

• mini 4 - 128G --> ($599/$500) -->
• mini 4 - 64GB --> ($499/$400) -->
• mini 4 - 16GB --> ($399/$299) -->

• mini 2 - 32GB --> ($319/$319) -->
• mini 2 - 16GB --> ($269/$199) -->

B&N Galaxy Nook Tablets -->

• Tab S2 - 8.0" --> ($400/$350) --> $350 (BN)
• Tab E - 9.6" --> ($250/$200) --> $200 (BN)
• Tab 4 - 7.0" --> ($150/$100) --> $120 (BN)

Samsung Galaxy Tablets -->

• Tab S2 - 9.7" --> ($xx/$400) -->
• Tab S2 - 8.0" --> ($xx/$350) -->
• Tab A - 9.7" --> ($xx/$230) -->
• Tab A - 8.0" --> ($xx/$180) -->
• Tab E - 9.6" --> ($xx/$200) -->
• Tab 4 - 7.0" --> ($xx/$120) -->
• T Kids - 7.0" --> ($xx/$100) -->
• T 3 Lit - 7.0" --> ($xx/$79) -->

.

[tubemonkey]

eReaders --> (retail/lowest) --> Black Friday --> current


Kindle eReaders -->

• Kindle Voyage --> ($200/$170) -->
• Paperwhite 3 --> ($120/$90) -->
• Kids Bundle --> ($100/$70) -->
• Kindle 7 --> ($80/$49) -->

Kobo eReaders -->

• Kobo Aura H2O --> ($180/$180) -->
• Kobo Glo HD --> ($130/$110) -->
• Kobo Touch 2.0 --> ($90/$90) -->

Nook eReaders -->

• Nook GlowLight Plus --> ($130/$100) -->
• Nook GlowLight --> ($99/$99) -->

.

[tubemonkey]

Media Players --> (retail/lowest) --> Black Friday --> current


Amazon Fire TV -->

• Fire TV 2 - Voice Rem --> ($100/$75) -->
• TV Stick - Voice Rem --> ($50/$35) -->
• TV Stick - Std Remote --> ($40/$25) -->

• Amazon Echo --> ($180/$119) -->

Apple TV -->

• Apple TV 4 - Siri Rem 64G --> ($199/$199) -->
• Apple TV 4 - Siri Rem 32G --> ($149/$112) -->
• Apple TV 3 - Apple Remote --> ($69/$69) -->

Google Cast -->

• Nexus Player --> ($100/$xx) -->
• Chromecast 2 --> ($35/$35) -->
• Chrome 2/pk --> ($70/$50) -->
• Chromecast 1 --> ($xx/$20) -->

Roku Players -->

• Roku 4 --> ($130/$130) -->
• Roku 3 --> ($100/$100) -->
• Roku 2 --> ($70/$70) -->
• Roku 1 --> ($50/$50) -->
• Roku Stick --> ($50/$50) -->
• Roku SE --> ($25/$25) -->

[tubemonkey]

No Contract Phones --> rating --> phone --> (retail/lowest) --> Black Friday --> current


Index --> List of Key Specs -- NCPs as Audio Players


Recommended -->

• 4.8 -- LG Leon -------> ($/$60) -->
• 4.4 -- Moto G 2nd ---> ($/$100) -->
• 4.3 -- Moto E 2nd ----> ($/$10) -->
• 4.1 -- LG Tribute 2 --> ($/$20) -->
• 3.9 -- Gal Grnd Pr --> ($/$49) -->
• 3.0 -- ZTE Maven ---> ($/$40) -->

Conditional (older OS) -->

• 4.6 -- Lumia 640 ------> ($/$30) -->
• 4.5 -- LG Transpyre --> ($/$29) -->
• 4.4 -- Gal Prevail -----> ($/$40) -->

Questionable (older OS - older CPU - low storage) -->

• xx -- ZTE Paragon --> ($/$5) -->

.

[tubemonkey]

Computers --> (retail/lowest) --> Black Friday --> current


Desktop Computers -->

• Dell Inspiron Micro --> ($200/$100) -->

Laptop Computers -->

• Asus Windows 15.6" --> ($xx/$140) -->
• Acer Chrome 11.6" --> ($xx/$99) -->

.

[tubemonkey]

Digital Storage --> (retail/lowest) --> Black Friday --> current

Note: for memory cards and USB flash drives, there are too many brands and types to list separately; therefore, I'm only listing the size and price. Check the ads to get specific details.


mSD / SD Cards -->

• 128G mSD --> ($xx/$40) -->
• 64GB mSD --> ($xx/$18) -->
• 32GB mSD --> ($xx/$10) -->

• 32GB Ex SD --> ($xx/$18) -->

USB Drives -->

• 128G USB --> ($xx/$20) -->
• 64GB USB --> ($xx/$15) -->
• 32GB USB --> ($xx/$07) -->

Hard Drives -->

• WD MyBook 4TB --> ($xx/$100) -->
• Seagate BU+ 2TB --> ($xx/$70) -->
• Toshiba HD 1TB --> ($xx/$49) -->
• Seagate BU+ 1TB --> ($xx/$40) -->

SSD Drives -->

• tba
• tba

.

[tubemonkey]

Credit Cards & Gift Cards


Amazon Credit Cards

• Amz -- get 25% off Amz devices w/ Amz Rewards Visa --> exp 11 Dec --> details
• Amz -- get $10 - $20 Amz GC w/ new Amz Store Card --> details
• Amz -- get $30 - $80 Amz GC w/ new Amz Rewards Visa --> details

other Credit Cards

• AmEx -- spend $60 at Amazon, get $15 back --> exp 31 Dec --> details
• Citi MC -- get $100 Amz GC w/ new Citi MC & $100 purchase --> details
• TigDir -- get $25 off $100+ order w/ Visa Checkout --> exp 31 Dec --> details

iTunes Gift Cards

• tba
• tba

other Gift Cards

• tba
• tba

.

[tubemonkey]

Wish List

As the title says, this is a wish list for members to list items they're interested in. If anyone sees a great deal on these items, please post the deal and send a PM to the member making the request. I linked the requesting post so you can get full details about the request. To get on this list, just post your request and I'll add you.

• tubemonkey --> 1TB port HD, TV w/ HDMI, suit of armor
• BearMountainBooks --> Blue Mics: Snowball or Yeti
• GA Russell --> 2TB port HD, large PC int HD
• Froide --> Galaxy tablets (any non-Nook), Galaxy Tab Nook
• peaceridge --> Dell Venue 8 7000 series, Galaxy Tab 8.4
• Katie1 --> TV 40-42"
• Manabi --> SSD 240-250GB $50 or less - Samsung and possibly others
• ottdmk --> Lenovo Tab 2 A10-70
• Blossom --> 7" & 10" tablets, cell phone, laptop, sm bedroom TV, Roku, BT headphones, NAS drive - WD MyCloud 3TB
• reise --> 4TB hard drive, 128GB SD card
• LJJohnson --> Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mirrorless Digital Cam w/ M Zuiko 45mm F1.8 Lens Bundle for less than $800
• library addict --> basic MP3 player

.

[tubemonkey]

Shopping Tips

• make sure all account information is up-to-date at the stores you plan to shop at
• smart monkeys do their Black Friday shopping online
• download leaked ads as soon as possible - stores have ordered blogs to take down the ads
• free gift cards only have value if they're from stores you normally shop at
• wear a football uniform if you plan on shopping at Walmart
• always get the one with the bigger gee bees

Important Account Information

Go through all of the online store accounts you currently have and update them now. Personal information changes over time and you may have neglected to make those changes; especially at stores you only order from during Black Friday. For stores you plan on shopping at that you don't have accounts with, set up those accounts now. You won't have time to do so once the deals go live.

• login - can you still do so? if not, update your username and password
• email - make sure your email address is current, because this is the address they send order confirmations and other correspondence to
• address - make sure your home, shipping, and billing addresses are current
• phone - make sure your phone numbers are current
• stores - make a list of all store phone numbers in case you need to complete purchases over the phone because of computer or website problems

Credit Cards

For each store you plan on shopping at, make sure the credit card, account number, expiration date, 3-digit security code, billing address, and home phone number are accurately entered.

When shopping online, have all credit cards you'll be using in front of you because:

• you may have to re-enter your credit card info if there's a glitch in the store's website
• you may have to complete your order over the phone if the store's website goes down
• you may have to complete your order over the phone if you have computer problems
• you may have to call the credit card company if a purchase gets blocked

Remember - when shopping online during Black Friday doorbusters, every second counts. If you have to scramble to hunt down your credit card you may lose your deal.


Credit Card Blocks

Be prepared to have an order declined because your credit card company detects unusual activity. This frequently happens when you place several high value orders at multiple stores in a short period of time. It happened to me two years ago when I placed two back-to-back orders for iPad minis. My credit card company blocked the second purchase. I had to call to get the block removed.

You can head off possible blocks by calling your credit card company ahead of time and informing them of your plans for high credit card activity during Black Friday weekend. Some companies will flag your account so none of your purchases get blocked. YMMV.

The only downside to a card block is the possibility of a lost deal. Not likely if the item is still in your cart, but a possibility nevertheless. Again, YMMV.
.

[tubemonkey]

Shipping & Returns

One way to get free shipping is through a loyalty program (reward cards, memberships, etc). Some of these cost money to join and some don't. Additionally, many of these programs offer other perks such as cash back and expedited deliveries. Other ways to get free shipping include minimum orders, ship-to-store, and in-store orders.


Black Friday -- shipping (min) -- returns -- price matching

• Best Buy --- shipping ($0) -- returns -- price match
• Target --- shipping ($0) -- returns -- match

.

[issybird]

Thank you for your colossal efforts, 'monkey!

[DreamWriter]

Thank you, tubemonkey!