News, Tips and Resources for Online Bargain Hunters
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This is one of those bargains that you absolutely don’t want to miss. Even if you are out of the Xbox age it will make a perfect Christmas gift for your friends, your children, or your friends’ children.
Amazon is having a promotion where one out of four products will be sold every week at a “ridiculously low price”. The week 1 selection is Xbox 360, mountain bike, Barbie Doll, and $100 Toy Certificate. You are supposed to vote on the product that Amazon will sell. The voting closes Tuesday at 9 p.m. PST and the winning deal goes on sale Thursday, November 23, at 11 a.m. PST.
The current winner is Xbox 360 Core System leading with a whopping 84.4% of votes and it is unlikely the votes will change much in 2 days which means the gaming console WILL GO ON SALE November 23 precisely at 11 a.m. PST.
I should warn you though that the rumor was published at TechCrunch last week and despite the fact that according to Amazon there will be 1000 consoles sold there is still a chance that Xbox will quickly go out of stock. As one of the comments said
My guess is that they are all going to be sold by 11:01 on Thanksgiving. I’ve been practicing my clicking skills. Watch out.
I don’t know how about you but I will go practicing my clicks as well. One of the useful tips is to try to save time on entering your billing details by using the Amazon’s patented One-Click Shopping. If you have time this forum currently has 1023 discussions on topics ranging from “what is the chance I will get one?” to “Amazon Clock vs Atomic clock”.
Update: One Click Shopping will not work. Apparently Amazon has come out with a long list of steps you must follow to make sure you get your stuff for the advertised price
Multiple forums have reported over this weekend that Microsoft adCenter is having a promotion again. Use this link and promo code BNR-100-1006 to receive a $100 credit when you sign up.
Offer valid through January 15, 2007, valid for new accounts only (a one time $5 activation charge will apply), valid for the first 1000 who sign up. For more details read the discussion at SlickDeals and DigitalPoint.
Free WiFi access in public places may sound like a given these days however up until recently the notion was under a legal threat from (who would think) Boston-Logan airport or to be exact the Massachusetts Port Authority. Thanks to FCC the Port Authority attempt to control WiFi Internet access at the airport territory was overruled clearing the way for other airlines to start offering Internet access at their lounge areas.
Not all airports are that greedy. If you travel around the US there is a good chance you will be able to plug in your laptop in the wireless network for free. Here is a list of on-line resources that will help you find out if your airport offers free WiFi access.
Keep your laptop battery fully charged and have a safe trip! 
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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