Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen a lot of Black Friday deals. Some are incredible, some are funny and a few aren’t deals at all. Here are the 10 worst and weirdest Black Friday 2009 deals. Please note that all pricing listed is what you can expect on Black Friday, not what is currently advertised online or in stores.
10. Like to imbibe during the holiday season but hate watery drinks? We found these Whiskey Stones at Think Geek for just $15.99 (after a $5 off $10 coupon is applied). The stones keep drinks cold and stiff, the way they should be during family gatherings.
9. The Ruger Semi-Automatic Pistol is marked down from $399.99 to $249.99 this Black Friday at Gander Mountain. With a shooting last Black Friday at a California ToysRUs, we’re not sure if this makes you safer or puts you in even more danger!
8. GameStop takes an extra $10-$20 off refurbished gaming systems, making a used PSP just $79.99 (retails new for around $160). This isn’t a bad deal, but it’s Black Friday! We’re going for the big savings on a brand new, under-warranty gaming system!
7. Black Friday is all about mega deals, so we definitely took note of the Mio 4.3″ GPS System for $79.99 at Radio Shack (normally $149.99), but Walmart has a similar TomTom 4.3″ GPS System for $89. Sure, it’s an extra $10, but we’re willing to pay a bit more for a well-known and trusted brand, especially since the model normally retails for as much as $180.
6. We love Overstock, but we think it’s a little odd they didn’t include pricing in their Black Friday 2009 ad. The ad is great for giving you an idea of what will be on sale (items include a Wii, camcorders, lots of toys, a Cole Haan woman’s coat, bedding and even an inversion table), but since most of the competitive doorbuster sales will be going on at stores, we’re not sure if staying home to see what Overstock’s pricing will be is worth the time.
5. Update: We’re sorry to say that we goofed on this one. Target has the Nikon S203, not the S230 as advertised at Walmart. Both cameras are 10MP, however the S230 has a touch screen and a few more operational modes. Either way, if you’re in the market for a solid digital camera, the S203 for $88 (retails for as much as $139.99) at Target is a good deal. The Nikon Coolpix 10mp S230 Digital Camera popped up in a lot of Black Friday ads this year. Walmart has the camera for $139, but Target is selling it in two colors for just $88!
4. The Ace Hardware Black Friday 2009 ad is full of “deals” that are actually mail-in rebate offers. We’re not paying full price for anything on Black Friday, and neither should you.
3. If you’re on the hunt for a deal on an iPod, you may not have to brave the Black Friday crowds at all. Amazon currently has the newest model of the iPod 8GB Nano (5th generation) for $134.99 with free shipping. The same iPod is available on Black Friday at Target for $145 with a free $15 Target giftcard and at BestBuy for $149.99. Even considering the free Target giftcard, the free shipping and limited sales tax makes Amazon a better deal. However, Amazon is literally changing prices on certain items by the minute, so act fast to take advantage of this deal!
2. As we mentioned the other day, Apple’s Black Friday “holiday shopping event” didn’t make the cut last year for great Black Friday deals. We’re hoping they’ll step it up and offer more than free shipping and 5%-10% off select items, but we’re not counting on it. Give the site a check, but don’t jump at the first price drop you see. Many retailers like Target, Toys R Us and Amazon will have better pricing and include bonus offers such as gift cards.
1. Perhaps the worst Black Friday deal goes to BestBuy. BestBuy screwed up the price of a popular refrigerator in their ad and then back-tracked – they won’t honor the price!
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Real nice, Brad….I like your website and the idea behind it, but I find it particularly inappropriate to criticize Gander Mountain for offering a sale on a hand gun. Just because they are selling something you don’t agree with, you shouldn’t attack them. Your ideological disposition shouldn’t come into this at all!
Andrew, I really didn’t think I was criticizing or attacking anyone. I’m sorry if that was how it was received.
ideological disposition, c’mon its called humor. Dont get caught up in the holiday nastiness.
I’m with you Brad….Advertising a Ruger Semi-automatic pistol for Black Friday is not appropriate and a bit bizarre…
FYI folks! Gander Mountain is an Outdoor/Sportsman store. What do you expect them to put on sale? Dishes? Towels? And do you realize how long anyone buying this pistol will be doing paperwork? Not to mention the waiting period before they can actually take it home! This is only inappropriate to those who have no knowledge or interest in firearms.
Yes, Gander Mountain sells guns. No shock there.
It’s on the list only because there was a shooting on Black Friday last year so there is irony.
I don’t understand how you couldn’t catch the irony of that. It’s not that it’s a surprise that a sporting goods store would sell guns (whether you like guns or not). It’s that people tend to get out of control shopping for (here’s the surprise) toys and electronics.
I agree completely! The fact that a sportsman store is putting a firearm on sale is not strange, and also not a big deal! We are very lucky to have that freedom in this country, it’s people like you that would focus on the “sale” of a gun….as a strange concept that make me soooooo proud to be a republican. Thank god there are many sound minded individuals in this wonderful country that still believe that we have a right to carry and purchase firearms. And that it is not something to raise an eyebrow at. Please think before you post things like that in the future.
I repeat: It’s on the list only because there was a shooting on Black Friday last year so there is irony.
I don’t think there is anything I’ve said here that relates at all to your pride in being a member of any political party. Politics don’t belong here.
Brad, I think listing the gun on the Black Friday list IS an appropriate item for the list, because the list is about worst AND weird. As you repeatedly stated, the irony here is about the shooting last Black Friday, and it is weird to put a gun on sale this Black Friday AS IT WAS JUST LAST YEAR THAT IT OCCURRED.
At no point do I see you injecting your politics; at no point do I hear you ranting and raving, wanting to take away our freedoms as Americans. What I do see and hear are people so far off to the right, that they are wanting to impede on the rights of anyone who doesn’t agree with their political bent, and attempt to shame others for having a differing opinion.
Interestingly. I bought that same pistol at that same establishment few months back for the Black Friday price. You can get it anywhere full price is maybe 310 at best. Typical ploy. Up the price 100 bucks then say its on sale.
Went online to buy a computer at Best Buy today. Offer is good for 3 days Thanksgiving- Sat & I had the computer in my cart & when I went to check out (15 min later) because I was still shopping on their site. They took it OUT OF MY CART & IT SAID SOLD OUT!!!! Called several times & spoke to several people they not going to do anything about it. Even when the computer comes back “in stock” they will not honor the on line price. To top it off NO WHERE does it state NO RAINCHECKS or SUBSITUTIONS.
Hey if you don’t like what Brad writes, don’t read it. He can criticize Gander Stupid Mountain if he wants!!!!
About the whole Best Buy Thing….I worked for Best Buy about 9 years ago and while I was in Management there they were nailed for “False Advertising” and accused of bait and switch. It is illegal for them to advertise anything for a certain price and not honor it. If you have the ad that has that price they are obligated to honor that price point for only 1(quantity) of that specific ad.
I saw someone had a personal Breath-alizer on sale.. who really needs this? If you think you drank too much that you need to check..you prob did!!
sweettttttttttttttttt!!!!!!!!!
[...] but Best Buy has been a let-down on Black Friday in the past, including earning the top spot in our 10 Worst Black Friday Deals of 2009. 2010 vintage Best Buy Black Friday Deals likely will not be released for another month so we [...]
Yep, after what happened in 08, you might need the pistol this year for self defense!
Brad,
Would it be as ironic to list shoes as a sale item? I believe several people were trampled to death getting into several stores last year as well. I’m just saying…