Black Friday Specials…Even in Canada!
Today is Black Friday in the US. It is the day after Thanksgiving for our southern neighbours. On this day many U.S. retailers open very early, often at 5 a.m., and offer promotional sales to kick off the shopping season. This day is usually the busiest shopping day of the year. In many cities it is not uncommon to see shoppers lined up for hours before stores open. Once inside the stores, shoppers often rush and grab, as many stores have only a few of the big-draw items. Injuries and even fatalities have been reported. On Friday, November 28, 2008, Jdimytai Damour, a worker at a Walmart in Valley Stream, New York was trampled to death by shoppers who broke through the store’s glass doors minutes before the store’s scheduled opening at 5:00am and a pregnant mother was hospitalized from injuries in the same human “stampede”. Yikes!
Although I’d hate to see Canadians go to those extremes, still some of us here in Canada get caught up in the excitement after being bombarded by tv commercials on the American networks. It’s a drag to realize our Canadian retailers aren’t offering the same great deals on this side of the border. I decided to see if there were any Black Friday deals that we could get in on north of the 49th parallel. Amazon.ca didn’t let me down. Here’s a few of the good deals I found. The best part is you don’t have to leave the warmth of your home or scrape the ice off of your car first to get them. Bonus!
(Reported in the Vancouver Sun)
Amazon.ca announced that beginning November 26 it is kicking off its holiday shopping season with a week’s worth of amazing holiday deals. Customers can explore the Holiday Deals page (www.amazon.ca/deals) this Friday, to find the full list of Black Friday deals.
“We want to make holiday shopping as easy for our customers as possible,” said John Nemeth, director of Amazon.ca. “With low prices, free shipping on eligible products and thousands of products to choose from, why do battle with the crowds and border patrol when you can order everything you need from the comfort of your home?”
The Holiday Deals page (www.amazon.ca/deals) is the top destination for customers to experience Amazon.ca’s Black Friday Deals Week, offered November 26 through December 2. Customers will find great discounts on a variety of well-known and trusted brands, including KitchenAid, Garmin, Flip Video, HP, and Invicta. In addition, Amazon.ca now offers customers FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders of eligible products over $25.
Here is a sneak peek of some of the holiday deals customers can expect to find:
- Flip Video camera from $99 (list price is $229.99)
- 42%-55% off select KitchenAid small appliances, such as Artisan 5-quart stand mixers (all colors), 9- and 12-cup food processors and 5-speed blenders
- Up to 57% off select HP Netbooks
- Garmin 265WT 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable Navigator with Traffic – $119 (list price is $402.37)
- Up to 90% off select Invicta watches for men and up to 85% off select Invicta watches for women
- Garmin Forerunner 305 Waterproof Running GPS With Heart Rate Monitor – $129 (list price is $309.18)
- Up to 60% off select Western Digital Hard Drives
- iRobot vacuum cleaner – $159.98 (list price is $199.99)
- Up to 52% off select J Labs ear buds, earphones and other accessories
- Slingbox SOLO with SlingLink TURBO 1-Port Powerline Bundle $209 (list price is $300)
- 60% off select Gordon Ramsay cookbooks, including “Gordon Ramsay’s Healthy Appetite” and “Gordon Ramsay’s Family Fare”
- 60% off select Wusthof knives and accessories
- 40%-45% off select George Foreman portable grills
- SKLZ Pro Mini Hoop – $20.99 (list price is $34.99)
- Ripstick Caster Board – $49.99 (list price is $99)
- Up to 75% off select software such as Adobe, Rosetta Stone and other popular software brands
- Up to 60% off select movie and TV titles
- Up to 25% off select ASUS laptops and netbooks
- Up to 50% off select Frommer’s Travel Guides
13 Comments
Jeannie Foort
Sears is also having a big Black Friday sale, yesterday and today!!!
Bonnie Johnson
Oooo. I’ll check it out! Thanks Jean.
Janet
On the radio they mentioned Sears, Shoppers Drug Mart, and I forgot the other place. But the retailers up in Canada are trying to keep us here. I got up early this morning and was at Canadian Tire for 7:00 a.m. to cash in on some deals. I went for 1 item, and found so many more. Back home in time to take the kids to school and go to work. Phew I’ve had a busy day already 😉
Bonnie Johnson
Thanks Janet. Wow! There are more out there than I realized…off to Canadian Tire now. 🙂
Tracy Westerholm
I can’t say I have ever stood in line to get a deal on an item realistically I could do without. Now, if there was a valid reason such as my family had no food I would do what I had to do. I guess there is nothing out there that I want ‘that’ bad to wait for it. I am also one of the only women I know who really doesn’t like to shop unless I have to. 🙂 I hope you get the flip camera!
Bonnie Johnson
I hear ya. That’s why I love shopping online best…especially at a huge discount.
Tracy Westerholm
Thats a great point Bonnie, I think it makes sense especially if you already know what you want, actually I bought most of what Jesse wanted for Christmas online. I just don’t like line ups or crowds of crabby people. ‘Tis the season to be jolly people!!
Jane
Tracy you must take after me, I hate shopping also.
I can’t stand waiting in a grocery line up either. Especially when the cashier is still talking to the last customer. Bonnie I am sure Santa is aware of what you want.lol
Chris
Has John read your post Bonnie?
I love my flip video camera I got last year from Santa. It takes very good quality videos.
Did you spot any great deals on snowshoes? That’s what I’m hoping Santa brings me. 🙂
jacquie
Am I the only goon who loves to shop??!!! I LOVE to shop! But I’m a real treasure hunter and find it a great challenge to get really good stuff at an unbelievable price. I find it a creative outlet. Like exercise!
My girlfriend ‘M’ and I are going to try to go a whole year without buying anything for ourselves starting in January. That means no new clothes and nothing for the house. Who thinks we can’t do it? I may be blogging about it regularly on Mondays. We’re negotiating if wine is a need or a want.
Bonnie Johnson
Good for you Jacquie. Wow, that will be tough for you as a lover of shopping. I’m really hoping John doesn’t read your comment or he’ll suggest I join you. Eek! I look forward to reading your updates as you attempt this feat.
p.s. I bet you’ll both be busy stock piling in December. 🙂
Cheryl
OK, Jacquie. I know what a shopper you are. I think you might need an intervention to go a whole year without shoes alone! 🙂
Tracy Westerholm
Oh I can hardly wait. Tell me you’re allowed to buy yourself a latte at least or I’m out-a- here!
Sorry Jake I 100% don’t think you can do it! But would love to see you try! (giggle giggle) I don’t even like to shop and I know I couldn’t do it! Wayyyyy too much temptation out there in all the cool little antique and funky gift shops! grin 🙂 Why not just put a dollar limit on your shopping, like nothing over $200 bucks! So it forces you to find even better deals. Deals are only deals if you ‘need’ the item! muah xo