US Thanksgiving & Black Friday Shopping - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Draug · 11-10-2007, 01:28 AM

I am seriously contemplating going down to Montana to do some shopping over the US Thanksgiving weekend. Between my friends and family, we have a number of large ticket items to purchase that can be quite a bit cheaper in the States.

I've never been in the US over Thanksgiving. I have a few questions:

1. What can I expect and what would I need to plan for in order to make the trip a success?
2. Are the only good deals door crashers with very limited quantity?
3. Do the sale prices last the whole weekend, much like our 'Boxing Week' here?
4. Are hotels all booked up?
5. How busy is the Sweetgrass (AB/Mon) bordercrossing on that weekend?

If the only deals are loss-leaders and door crashers, I am probably not interested in going. But, if there are decent sale prices to be had all weekend, I'll probably make the trip.

Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions.

redforever · 11-10-2007, 01:51 AM

Expect longer than normal delays at the border. Any time they have an official holiday, and their thx giving is a major one, security is max, max, max.

Montana Moe · 11-10-2007, 03:09 AM

Typically stores will have their "Door Buster" items that are of limited quantity, but also have major sales at the same time. The door busters are just that, items to get you in the door. These sale prices should last the entire weekend.

To my knowledge, hotels should not be booked, of course calling ahead is always a good idea.

Traveling to Great Falls?

BlackArcher101 · 11-10-2007, 03:11 AM

How much are you allowed to bring back if you go just the weekend?

TimSJ · 11-10-2007, 06:54 AM

$400 for 48 hours

redforever · 11-10-2007, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimSJ

$400 for 48 hours

You can bring back more of course, but then you pay the appropriate duties, taxes etc.

CRXguy · 11-10-2007, 10:47 AM

I'll be going to Spokane during that week. Looking for baby stuff down there, and from our research so far, we'll be saving lots so it'll be worth the drive down there. Plus, with twins coming in about 4 months, this will be our last vacation for a while.

OilersBaby · 11-10-2007, 11:33 PM

If you're shopping for electronics, they have limited number of quantities for sale..for example, last year, my sis wanted to buy a new 52 inch plasma...she went and stood in line at Best Buy at 4 am, doors opened at 5..however, they only had like 4 of them, and she didn't get one. She had a couple of friends go to different stores as a favor, and someone was able to get one...

Other than tv's, computers, and other electronics, there is pretty much an unlimited quantity of things from what I've found. The BEST deals are at all the outlet malls (at least that seems to be the case here in the San Francisco/San Jose area)..Victoria's Secret, Bath and Body WOrks, Banana Republic, Coach, Abercrombie, Hollister, and other such stores that have outlets have AMAZING deals! Best day to Christmas shop...

So since your guys's limit is like 400 bucks, I doubt you'd really be buying bigger electronic items anyway. Do go though, it's a GREAT deal.

Most clothing stores have their sales the entire weekend, however, they do offer some awesome specials the day after Thanksgiving, so if I could, I'd DEFINATELY go that day.....

I went to the mall earlier today and learned that it's going to be open as of 3:00 am for the early bird sales. Thats crazy! Im not going to go that early though cuz from my past experiences, clothes and other things you'd get at malls are still on sale a lil later..the CROWDS/PARKING SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Draug · 11-11-2007, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OilersBaby

If you're shopping for electronics, they have limited number of quantities for sale..for example, last year, my sis wanted to buy a new 52 inch plasma...

So since your guys's limit is like 400 bucks, I doubt you'd really be buying bigger electronic items anyway. Do go though, it's a GREAT deal.

Actually, plasma's are on the list. Depending on the deal I can find, it will be anything from a 50" Panasonic to a 65". The duty on them is only 5%, so my limit isn't a big deal. In fact, some Panasonics are actually made in Mexico, so Duty doesn't apply. Unfortunately, the manufacture location doesn't seem to be model specific, so you cant tell until you see the box if it was assembled in Japan or Mexico. Regardless, 5% isn't a big deal.

Are you saying that the ONLY electronics on sale that weekend are limited quantity door crashers? Something like Best Buy or Circuit City don't have weekend long sales? That would kill the trip in its' tracks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Montana Moe

Traveling to Great Falls?

I'm not sure yet. If weekend long sales on electronics exist, I'll need to go to Helena, Missoula, or Kalispell. There are Vann's stores there, and judging by the web prices I've found, they are quite competitive on Panasonic Plasma prices. Probably Helena would be the logical bet, since Great Falls is right on the way. If Kalispell has decent shopping, I could just go there instead, as it is closer. Is there a better shopping location than Great Falls?

Wolfwood · 11-12-2007, 09:31 AM

There are certain electronic items that are in very limited quantities. Usually the 'super cheap' tvs, computers, and the like. They do have other deals on electronics that last all weekend but each store has a few select items that are limited to the first few people in line at the store on black friday. I would just check the ads at some place like bfads.net to see what will be on sale.

Canada 02 · 11-12-2007, 11:21 AM

I know that BestBuy and Circuit City have better prices down here than their Canadian counterparts, nevertheless, their prices are way higher than many reliable online retailers. Check out Nextag or Pricegrabber to compare the online prices to the chain retailers. Many ship to Canada.

For example, a Sony 52" XBR4 at Bestbuy is $3500 plus sales tax; thru Nextag, the same TV is just under $3000 and no sales tax (or shipping charge to an American address)

Draug · 11-12-2007, 01:42 PM

Yeah, I just used Best Buy and Circuit as big box examples. Online US stores aren't the best option for me because I have no US address to ship to. Even those that ship to Canada often use UPS which has horrendous brokerage fees. Anyone have a Montana address I can use?

In Kalispell, Great Falls, or Helena, does anyone know of any great local Panasonic dealers? In Calgary, I've often found the best deals at stores smaller than Best Buy, Futureshop, etc.

Draug · 11-20-2007, 03:41 PM

So, is anyone else going down? I think I probably will, as long as I can keep my schedule clear.

There must be some others going down from Calgary to Great Falls. It was almost impossible to find any vacancy in any of the hotels.

The Goon · 11-20-2007, 04:23 PM

There was a commercial on Sunday for some store (maybe Kohl's) that is opening at 4:00am on Friday for the sale. What the hell could be so good that you need to be there before 4:00am?

OilersBaby · 11-21-2007, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Draug

Actually, plasma's are on the list. Depending on the deal I can find, it will be anything from a 50" Panasonic to a 65". The duty on them is only 5%, so my limit isn't a big deal. In fact, some Panasonics are actually made in Mexico, so Duty doesn't apply. Unfortunately, the manufacture location doesn't seem to be model specific, so you cant tell until you see the box if it was assembled in Japan or Mexico. Regardless, 5% isn't a big deal.

Are you saying that the ONLY electronics on sale that weekend are limited quantity door crashers? Something like Best Buy or Circuit City don't have weekend long sales? That would kill the trip in its' tracks.

I'm not sure yet. If weekend long sales on electronics exist, I'll need to go to Helena, Missoula, or Kalispell. There are Vann's stores there, and judging by the web prices I've found, they are quite competitive on Panasonic Plasma prices. Probably Helena would be the logical bet, since Great Falls is right on the way. If Kalispell has decent shopping, I could just go there instead, as it is closer. Is there a better shopping location than Great Falls?

My husband and I came home earlier this evening..we went to Circuit City and ended up buying a 50" Panasonic Plasma. It has 2 HDMI inputs which is good. It's a 720p rather than a 1080p but oh well. We got it for 1200 plus tax.....it was a PRE THANKSGIVING sale. We went there with the intent of just seeing what they had and coming back Friday morning..however, after talking to some friends and also getting the scoop from the salespeople, they said it will be chaos. The store is going to open at 5 am, people will be lined up outside as of 3 am and they only give out a certain number of vouchers for certain items. If you dont end up with a voucher for that item (lets say a tv or a laptop etc) then you can't purchase anything in that category until after 12 pm.......thats how they are going to avoid chaos. They ARE going to have a sale through Saturday (the post thanksgiving sale) and they already started the PRE thanksgiving sale today. We couldve prolly gotten the tv for a bit cheaper but we just didn't want to deal with the crowds for the tv. We are going back to Best Buy for the surround sound speakers..and also to the outlet mall for clothes.

Rule of thumb is the clothing stores have sales BEFORE noon.......anything from 15-75% off in most cases. But everything Ive experienced for clothing in my 7 years of living, you dont have to start at 5 am like you do for clothes..just be there around 9 am and definately before noon to get advantage of the deals. There are usually more clothes than there are vouchers or tvs in an electronics store.

OilersBaby · 11-21-2007, 12:26 AM

look up black friday sales online...the advertising for friday has already begun. just google search the elctronics stores such as circuit city and best buy. for the KICKASS prices, there are limited quantities but you should be ok if you go early. STILL, the prices th erest of friday and the rest of the weekend are a steal of a deal and much much better than regular prices. HAVE FUN, happy shopping!!!!!

tjinaz · 11-21-2007, 08:42 AM

saw the list and agree with all of them.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15840733/

worth · 11-21-2007, 08:47 AM

you guys are nuts. I hate going into the store on a normal day, let alone over thanksgiving.

I went into futureshop yesterday after work and just stepping into that store makes me crazy. people trying to sell me as I walk in, people handing me flyers and 100 people running around like chickens with their head cut off. no thanks.

Table 5 · 11-21-2007, 09:16 AM

www.bfads.net is a great source for black friday ads...

Here are some online deals if you don't want to deal with the crowds.

http://bfads.net/Online-Deals

OilersBaby · 11-21-2007, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by worth

you guys are nuts. I hate going into the store on a normal day, let alone over thanksgiving.

I went into futureshop yesterday after work and just stepping into that store makes me crazy. people trying to sell me as I walk in, people handing me flyers and 100 people running around like chickens with their head cut off. no thanks.

It's crazy in Canada too? I thought it would be like that at Boxing Day but during U.S. Thanksgiving week?