Is this what Christmas has become? ( Archived) (15)

I'm not a religious person so I don't celibrate Cristmas. That would only make me a hypocrite, but even if I did, I surely wouldn't get involved with all this BS about Black Friday or all this insanity about shopping for presents and going into debt doing it. Just read the following and if it doesn't turn your stomach you just may be one of the nut jobs that will be out chasing your tail like a rabid dog.

"Wal-Mart Stores Inc., is promoting its promise to match other retailers' prices through the holidays. But even bigger news is that for the first time this year, Target and Best Buy will match web retailers. Some experts predict the plans will backfire on retailers as customers go to extreme measures to dig up low prices. Sheri Petras, chief executive of CFI Group, a consulting company that measures customer satisfaction, speculated this week to the Wall Street Journal: "Can you imagine being on the checkout line at Target with 20 items and you're scanning products on your phone to find out the gum is 12 cents less at Amazon? "she said. "Can you imagine standing behind that person in line?" Don't worry about that adding to your Black Friday headache. It doesn't appear that any major retailers will match competitors' Black Friday prices. Still, it's good to keep these policies in mind throughout the season. Wal-mart: Stores honors other prices offered at local stores (not online retailers) on exact items, including buy-one-get-one-free and loyalty card deals. Shoppers do not need to show other stores' ads. Target Corp.: Stores honor listed prices of exact items at other retailers or Target.com through Dec. 24. Shoppers must show Target.com receipts or other stores' current ads or catalogs. Stores also match prices of exact items from Amazon.com, Walmart.com, BestBuy.com, ToysRUs.com or BabiesRUs.com. -- must be those retailers, not third-party sellers -- through Dec. 16. Stores won't match prices from stores or online retailers offered on Nov. 22 through 24, or on out-of-stock items. Best Buy Co. Inc.: Stores honors other prices offered at local stores and BestBuy.com on exact, in-stock items through Jan. 24. For appliances and electronics only, stores will match prices at 20 online competitors, including Target.com, Amazon.com, Walmart.com, HomeDepot.com and Lowes.com on. Best Buy won't match prices offered at any retailer between Nov. 22 and Nov. 26. Sears: Stores honor competitors' store and web prices on exact, in-stock items. Shoppers must show ad within 14 days of their Sears purchase. Online prices include charges for shipping and handling, but not delivery; also, online-only prices don't qualify. Sears doesn't honor others' Black Friday prices. Kmart: Stores honor competitors' store prices on exact, in-stock items, but not online prices."

Make life easy for yourself, give money!

gods b-day why not party?

I had to deliver a load of bamboo fire starter bundles to a guy in Richmond and stopped in Best Buy to get some AAA batteries. I walked all around the store and felt like I was dropped into the 23rd century Nothing in that store had any relevance for me. I finally asked an emp if they sold batteries and he said he thinks there's a display over by the checkout. Yep there was, $8.49 for an 8 pack. I walked out and found a Dollar Tree next door. I got 16 batteries for 3 bucks.