Just in time for the holidays: SHOPPING! As you may know, for retailers, the day after Thanksgiving (called Black Friday as in profits) is a highly orchestrated affair. According to the New York Times, prices are scientifically slashed, down to the penny. Sales begin at dawn. And glossy circulars containing the well-laid plans are distributed just a day or two ahead to give us gullible shopper something to drool over. Can you tell how I feel about this subject?!?
This year there are serveral online services, such as BF2005.com, where you can view leaked advertisements weeks in advance. So far this year, sources have leaked advertisements to him from Kohls listing 7" Portable Widescreen LCD TV regularly $169.99 for $119.99, Toys "R" Us showing the Barbie Fashion Show Mall, regularly $99.99, for $29.97, or Ace Hardware which is advisering a Skil 12-volt drill regularly $44.99, for $24.99.
Sites like BF2005.com say their motive is to educate consumers. But retailers are furious, arguing that the site jeopardizes their holiday business, and they have threatened legal action. Micheal Brim, who runs BF2005.com, hopes that by these online sites that "even the average Joe can become a professional bargain hunter." Here is the New York Times article.