Doesn't everyone already have one? (BF electronics)

[mrodgers]

Here we are, the second or is it third year of all the junk Black Friday electronics. Flat panel TVs, laptops, gaming systems.

I have to ask, after the past year or 2, doesn't everyone already have all this stuff? How can so many people be fighting over these cheap electronics year after year?

I have a 1996 tube television, love it. I just saw HD at Thankgiving dinner watching the football games yesterday. When everyone was standing around, it looked fantastic. So sharp and clear. But then, the play moved. The LCD televisions can't keep up. They look terrible. I could never watch my hockey games on HD TVs because my $250 1996 TV looks so much better and can keep up with the action so much better than the new HD $800 TV did.

How about those sub-$200 laptops? I have a 2005 desktop computer, slow as molasses. Yet, when I look at the specs of these laptops that everyone is going nuts over, they are half the specs of my old slow desktop. Is it really worth it to spend $200 on a complete piece of junk just because it is $200?

Really, I would expect everyone to already have these things anyways. Everyone was nuts over the TVs and laptops last year. Is it proof of how these Black Friday electronics are indeed junk so that everyone needs replacements this year? How many televisions and laptops do people need to buy?

"Oh, look how much I saved!" Because the store reports a regular price of $600 and sale price of $200 on that laptop you saved? You spent $200 on junk. I saved $600 because I didn't fall for the pricing and run out buying this junk that is worse than the stuff I've had for 5 years, 14 years in the case of the television.

Everyone I know has a huge LCD TV. Those people are also on their 2nd or 3rd one because of them failing while I still use my 14 year old TV because it has never failed or needed fixed. And on top of that, it still looks better because it can keep up with the action. LCD televisions, can't watch sports, can't watch action movies, what can you watch on it? I guess you don't need a television of quality when all everyone watches is Survivor and reality shows.

I just want to know, what do you need all these "cheap" televisions and laptops for?

 

[mistysue]

We got a cheap laptop for or daughter. Now she can run all of her own school games to help with learning to read. Her programs require a basic system, so it is perfect for our needs. My family also owns a business and we've found that EVERY computer we buy- no matter the price point- seems to last about 2 years before needing to be replaced! So we stock up on the cheap ones.

We actually have 3 old huge TV's from people getting rid of TV's to have new ones... we've been waiting around for them to die. We were cheering when #4 stopped working a couple months ago because now we have one to go before we can justify getting a new fancy TV. I hope they keep selling cheap TV's so we can take advantage of one someday.

 

[SandrA9810]

I know what you mean with a quality tube TV, it really out performs most flat panels. Although there's a few tubes that are not really good.

From what I read, most people buy this stuff as secondary. Like the TV for the basement or bedroom. Computers for the kids, high school or heading off to college.

With gaming systems headed into their 4/5th year of production for the most part, gamers have the systems they want. But at the same time, systems do die and need replacements. As far as new owners go, most the time the kids are finally getting old enough to use them responsibly.

 

[hffmnheidi]

My parents just replaced a tv this year that has also been around since 1996. People are fighting for those cheap electronics because that is the only way some people can afford to upgrade or replace.

 

[Swalphin]

Whatever reason a person may have to purchase a tv, laptop, dvd is their own and I really dont care. I am just happy to see people being able to spend again it is a sign the economy is slowly rebounding. The majority of folks on the BB, are pretty savy. I have a feeling most of these people have their own finances in order and are not making impulse buys.

 

[shortbun]

If you don't need the stuff, don't get it. meh Why are you worried about what 'everyone' is doing?

 

[RitaE]

You sound like me. I had to forbid everybody from even thinking about bringing another TV into this house.

DH was starting to threaten to hang them in the bathrooms.

 

[MissBritt]

We have just about every gadget and gizmo EXCEPT for a flat-screen TV, but none of these items are the result of BF sales.

 

[JamesMom]

I know where you are coming from, but I find great Black Friday deals that help my buying power.
The HDTV we bought 3 years ago still works like a charm in our bedroom (football looks great).
The camera I bought 2 years ago is still kicking even after 7000 pictures (check the counter).
The photoframe I bought the in-laws 4 years ago still clear as day.
This year I bought a laptop (low end, but hey its for my 8 and 5 year to do homework on and play webkinz.) on a pre-bf deal (worth the extra $$ I paid to NOT stand in line for 6 hrs last night). I got current DVDs & video games for the family at half price thanks to Amazon.
Black Friday still works for me!

 

[superme80]

Totally understand. I also agree with the posted who said it is good to see people spending again. I completely agree on that one. DH bought our tv when we were dating 4 years ago. I love it and if he tried to replace it I might kick him!

 

[3boymthr]

BF is AWESOME.

It's not about already having all that stuff, it's about knowing a bargain and getting one.

The TVs that they sell as Doorbusters - not so much of a bargain, same for the laptops. Two year old technology most of it especially on the laptops.

But....The camera I got today $79 - price last week was $139. Price for any color other than red $149 (can you tell I went to target ) Plus I was able to pick up a second one for my DAunt who is clueless about digital cameras but wanted one at a bargain to replace her decades old 35MM camera. This was a nice camera, not top of the line, but all the right features and definitely not bottom of the line - it came highly recommended by a friend who has one.

The firepit I got for DH - 50% off - $30

The SD cards 50% off - $7

The Vectron Wave Remote Control helicopter thingy $10 off (and $20 less than Amazon )

The Cuponk - free with raincheck and the GC I got from buying the cameras. Saved $14.

The remote control truck - saved $17

I also saved $15 on iTunes GCs

$20 on Crazy 8 clothes for DSs.

Saved $10 on a belt for oldest DS at American Eagle

$34 on bras for myself at Lane Bryant

$50 on Lenox ornaments at Macy's for my Mom and DAunt and a bonus one for myself that because of a coupon was free.

$10 on a T-shirt for oldest DS.

Soooo...All told I saved $278 this morning. Not bad. And that doesn't count the extra I saved on - you guessed it - a TV for oldest DS Though I will say that the one I bought wasn't a Doorbuster special and not bottom of the line. Nor does it count the money I saved at CVS (cause well, that's a unique shopping experience)

Could I have saved more by waiting? Maybe, but probably not and then if these items do go on sale for less, well, that's what price adjustments are for.

 

[Darcy03231]

Our house has its first flat panel TV that I bought this morning. It was bought to replace an old tube TV that died. Had it not been for the sale I probably wouldn't have bought one as its for DS' bedroom.

We tend to use everything until it dies and then slowly replace things. I've found that a lot of electronics (even high end) don't last anywhere near as long as the old stuff did. Heck, my mom is still using my grandmother's chest freezer and that has to be at least 50 years old by now!

 

[Handbag Lady]

OP, you are mistaken. Not EVERYONE has a nice TV. Just because it is that way in your circle of friends, doesn't mean that is how it is across the board.

Many people have been without work for a long, long time. Things may have turned around and getting a really good deal on a nice TV and or BluRay/DVD player could be the only big gift that family gets this year. I know some people who have saved just to get a deal today.

 

[luvthemouse71]

If you don't need the stuff, don't get it. meh Why are you worried about what 'everyone' is doing?

Yep. Geez, Scrooge is getting an early start this year!

 

[momxx5]

Sorry NO, everyone does NOT have the latest/greatest/cheapest/too many tvs, laptops, etc.

Believe me if I had the disposible income this weekend I would have love to taken advantage of some of the deals.

We are a family of 7. Only one tv is hooked up to satelite...for viewing tv. Another tv is for gaming....shared by 3 teenage boys, who set times on each other to share the playing time. A third extremely old hand-me-down tv is for DDs to watch movies on.....even then its a VCR to watch videos on.
We have a DVD player but that is in family room to be shared by all.

As far as computers. DH has one in good shape(knock on wood), as he is a professor it is certainly needed. We have an older laptop(thankfully under extended warranty) that we were just able to get fixed. DH also has the use of a laptop for the school he works for. Thank goodness for that "perk" because when 5 kids have homework its a juggle of time for everyone to use the computer. We did have a desktop....well still do, that is sitting in the corner after getting hit by lightning. We are waiting the day when we can afford to get it repaired.
No the kids do not all have tvs in their rooms and no they do not all have laptops.

Would I like them too?
Not neccessarily tvs but computers would be handy for homework and even playtime. The girls play on the American Girl site, Webkinz and Club Penguin along with tons of educational sites. The boys take turns sharing membership(birthday gift) for one of the computer game/sites and enjoy youtube videos.

So I guess I'm just commenting on the fact that the BF sales are excellent for those who can splurge on that extra something, or much needed item that they would not be able to do so without the sale.
NOT everyone is out there to get 2 or 3 for the sake of greed.
Especially on the budget board I don't think you'll find many in agreement with you.
Sorry

 

[Trixiezzz]

We don't own a single flat screen TV and are looking to buy our first one this year because our old tube TV is getting yellow lines across the picture.

I guess we are "late adopters" as marketing people would call us. If our TV weren't on the fritz, we wouldn't be gettin one this year, either!

 

[momxx5]

I guess due my financial situation, I am probably taking things too personally but I think its kinda offensive to generalize.....

QUOTE:
"Really, I would expect everyone to already have these things anyways. Everyone was nuts over the TVs and laptops last year."

With the recession, people without jobs, taking huge paycuts, struggling to put food on the table, I think its pretty yucky for you to say that you "expect" everyone to already have these things.

An FYI, the newer tvs are great quality. DH did a lot of research and a few years back, when we quite able to get a modest tv we got one that is great for watching sports along with any other types of shows. Thank goodness we made that purchase when we were able to because is certainly is not on the possiblities anymore.

 

[hipchickie]

We don't have any of these gadgets and gizmos either

I did buy a new TV this year - a 42" plasma for $399....not only could I not pass up that price but our current TV makes a high pitched noise when it is on, and my husband can not turn it off without the remote, because somehow the power button got pushed into the console and only people with small fingers can fit in the hole to turn it off His fingers are too big....

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

We've never owned a laptop, as much as I could have used one during college, we just couldn't afford it. Fiance really wanted one this year and I was tempted to make the dash to WalMart into the wee hours of the night but I just couldn't bring myself to it, too tired.

Anyway when I got up this morning Amazon was doing their lightning deals and in 5 mins a "laptop at an unbeatable price" was going to go into a lightning deal. Well I was waiting patiently and when a toshiba came up I told fiance and he said that was the one he was looking at in the store so I added it to the cart and was waitlisted, 10 mins later I was able to add it to the cart, we saved I think $150? So, hey I was happy, he was happy, we didn't just "get it to get it."

 

[OhMari]

I was at Walmart this morning at 10:00 a.m. and a clerk was bringing out a crate of 35 in. flat panel tv's. No one was waiting or buying. Price $358.
I was tempted, but our tv from 1996 works just fine. Our previous tv we only had 5 years, but we were remodeling and plaster dust floated in it, and blew it up.

We do have a small 19 inch flat screen tv, that is now almost 6 years old. We have it in our race trailer and it works just fine. We bought it, because it didn't take up space in the trailer and when we bought it, my dh bargained with the manager at Target because it was a display model. At that time, that tv was almost $700 and we got it for $186. So these tv's have been over-priced for a very long time.