Most Black Friday “deals” are actually not that great. Being a shopping “holiday”, that encourages them to hold off on any actual deals that might be worth getting and to push old tech and back stock as a “gift bargain.” That said, there are a few deals that might be worth braving the crowds for. Just not at Wal-Mart.
Staples: Samsung Galaxy S IV, $.01
Yep, Staples is offering the Galaxy S IV for just a penny. Of course, there’s a bit more to it than just that; you will need to commit to a two-year contract through one carrier or another. On the other hand, saving $199.99 has a strong appeal.
Apple: Everything, Really
Apple has, begrudgingly, gotten involved in the Black Friday shenanigans. The price cuts are usually modest, but Apple cuts prices on its hardware rarely, if ever. So if you’re in the market for some Apple stuff, this is the day to get it.
Best Buy: Kindle Fire, $100
Best Buy will be a nightmare this year; they’re offering the iPad Air as a doorbuster at $20 off with a gift card. But if you’re looking for a media-streaming device instead of a tablet, at $100 it’s hard to turn down the Kindle Fire. Just avoid the fights over the last iPad Air.
Sears: 55-inch 4K TV From Seiki, $850
This is kind of surprising, actually. TVs in general are a big Black Friday item, especially since TV companies are struggling. That said, while 4K TVs are dropping in price, and rapidly, they’re still generally at “good used car” prices. And, yeah, there’s not a lot of 4K content out there to use it to its full potential. But if you need a new TV and want to do a little futureproofing, this is your best bet.
This is pretty much the best of what’s a surprisingly bad lot of “deals” today, so if you don’t want to fight, just stay in. Although the scar makes an amazing story!