I have been in the market for a low-end laptop for a while and the preferred choice so far has been the Compaq Presario for $299 (after rebate) from Circuit City. However the more I look at my options the more it sounds like I might skip this year Black Friday altogether. Unfortunately it looks like none of the return rebuy tricks will work this season. Read what this FatWallet member says about Circuit City:
I remember last year, CC closed the customer care/return counters. All the cashiers were ringing up new sales. You might not be able to return on it that day
Here is another comment apparently from a former Circuit City employee in reply to a post where a member suggests to price match the laptop:
From previous experience of working at CC during black friday, our store had a specific NO PRICEMATCH policy during black friday. They would not pricematch because they are “limited” offers.
The other laptop I was considering is HP Core Solo for $379.99 from Best Buy. I actually went there yesterday to take a look at it and I should say it looks very stylish compared to the brick-like Compaq Presario. So I dug into Best Buy related discussions hoping to find some useful tips but so far I only see comments like this:
2 years or so ago I went to Best Buy as my 2nd stop or so because there’s wasn’t anything I was desperate to have. The problem was getting in the store or even getting the product… I stood in line for over an hour just to CHECK OUT. They literally had a line winding all around the entire store like that snake game you play where you try not to run into yourself. It was the biggest @#$()*! joke I’ve ever seen.
This is very discouraging and looks like this year it will not be different. Best Buy has pretty good deals compared to other stores and most people will be shopping there but… probably without me. I might still go just for the sake of shopping spirit (and if I find a company to spend long hours in the line) however I am certainly not as anxious anymore.
For those of you who have not given up the idea here is a good article with tips on how to make the most out of your Black Friday shopping.
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