Black Friday's Dirty Little Secrets

Black Friday bargain hunters beware. There's a good chance you won't score that doorbuster deal you've set your heart on.

Retail experts say the annual hype and hoopla that surrounds Black Friday also masks some nasty surprises.

The most painful: The crushed hopes of hundreds of midnight shoppers, who camped outside for hours in the cold hoping to score a 40-inch LCD HDTV for under $500, only to later learn that the store had four in stock.

That's one harsh — but all too common — example of a Black Friday reality that shoppers need to know about before they map out their shopping warplan, said Edgar Dworsky, consumer advocate and editor of Consumer World.

But there are many more. Here's a sampling of Black Friday secrets that CNNMoney.com has flagged for deal hunters:

Limited supplies: Read the fine print on the Black Friday circulars.

Most doorbuster deals — especially those on big-ticket items like HDTVs and washer-dryer combos — are in very limited supplies, often only four to six units per store.

So unless you are among the first six on line before stores open on Black Friday for those deals, you're pretty much out of luck.

Retailers use these juicy deals to entice shoppers into their store, that's when the switcheroo happens. Even if you didn't score the bargain you wanted, sellers hope that since you are already there, you'll probably grab some other deals instead.

HDTV deals. Is it the standard model, or a 'derivative?' Some of the holiday electronics with those low sale prices are products with fewer features than a standard model in that product line.

The difference can be subtle and most consumers probably won't even notice, said Dworsky.

Dworsky points out a Samsung 40-inch LCD HDTV for under $500 that has appeared as a doorbuster deal on several retailers' Black Friday circular.

"That model doesn't appear on Samsung's web site. Maybe it was made just for Black Friday," he said. Another red flag, the deal on that TV just lists the deal price and not the regular price of the model.

The lesson for shoppers: Do your own research and check the specifications on those discounted HDTVs.

A Samsung spokesperson was not immediately available to comment for this story.

Avoid bad bling. Jewelry is always a sought-after deal on Black Friday. But experts say consumers should keep some tips in mind before buying their bling this year.

Because of surging gold commodity prices, jewelry manufacturers are paying much more for the precious metal than last year. So one way that jewelers are keeping their own costs, and retail prices down reasonable for consumers, is by selling more gold-plated or gold-filled jewelry.

Many advertised deals on gold jewelry will use phrased such as "gold-filled" or "gold-overlay." This is not the same as solid gold, said Kevin Adkins, a graduate gemologist.

"When you see those terms, know that you're buying silver with a plate of gold coating over it," said Adkins.

If the price is too good to be true on that diamond set, then it probably is. "I saw an online deal for a 1-carat diamond cocktail ring for $431.40. A 1-carat ring sells at least for $1,000," he said.

His advice: Ask about the four C's — cut, clarity, carat and color — before buying diamond jewelry and always check return and refund policies on Black Friday deals.

Which Black Friday deals are online? Many retailers will say that their Black Friday in-store deals are available online but they won't tell you which ones, said Dworsky.

"So do I run out and stand on line all night or gamble on the computer all night?" said Dworsky.

The other annoyance with retailers' Black Friday online deals, he said, is that many sellers don't tell you what time the web deals kick in. "Is it just before midnight, at midnight or at the same time that the stores open?" he said.

Don't assume a "price match" policy. Many retailers who typically follow a price-match policy during the year may drop it for the Black Friday shopping weekend.

Again, carefully read fine print on the Black Friday circulars to see which retailers will match the lowest prices on an identical product and which sellers explicitly say the policy will not be in effect.

by Parija Kavilanz
Tuesday, November 23, 2010

www.finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/111366/black-fridays-dirty-little-secrets

Best Way - Apartment Patio Decorating Ideas | eHow.co.uk

Flowers

An apartment patio often has a less-than-scenic view and can sometimes overlook a parking lot or a neighboring patio. Create some privacy and your own garden getaway by building a wall of flowers to alter your view.

Purchase plastic flower pots that have an old world charm. Lightweight and stylish, plastic pots are now fashionable and available in urn shapes, and weathered and distressed terra cotta designs, and offer an apartment dweller a lighter-weight container for her garden. Purchase some taller plants such as sunset hyssop, hollyhock and daisies. Place these taller plants along the corners and edges of your patio to shield an unattractive view. Then, pot up some additional plants that are shorter to place in front to create a faux garden view. Not only will potted plants create a nice view while on your patio, they also will attract butterflies and provide a visual barricade for lower-level or ground-level patios. Be sure to care for your investment by watering daily as weather dictates.

If you like, save room for a few vegetables and herb plants on your patio as well. Tomatoes, peppers and all herbs grow terrific in containers and will make your patio smell great as well.

Furniture

Even a small patio can be a nice outdoor living space, so decorate it as you would a spare room. Start with a small outdoor area rug to further define your space and make if comfortable for your bare feet even on the hottest of days. You can purchase nice grass or bamboo-styled outdoor area rugs at your local home design and remodeling store.

Once placed, top it off with a small bistro table and two chairs to create a relaxing nook for you to have your morning coffee or evening cocktail. If tanning is your thing, get a smaller, lower round table and a settee for your patio, as well as one additional chair for guests. A settee is a great place to take a nap or tan on a warm day. No matter what your price point, you can get attractive furnishings for your patio, so shop around and always shop off season for the best value.

Accessories

Accessories set the tone of your patio as they do in your home, so bring your personal style to your outdoor space. Zen like Buddha statues can create a relaxing atmosphere, while pink flamingos stuck in your planters will give you a retro sense of fun. Outdoor candles, a fountain, bird feeders or wind chimes all help create an ambiance for your outdoor space, so consider your patio and how much room you have for additional items.

Hang sundials or terra cotta masks on your brick wall easily by using specially hinged no-drill picture hangers available at your home improvement store. You also may choose to hang or place rusty vintage wrought-iron fence pieces around to add even more character to your patio.

10 Things To Do Under $10

A Night out at the Movies-









Catch a flick at AMC Theaters on 119th & Roe or at Olathe 30. You can see a matinee for just $5 Monday thru Thursday. Order your tickets online and make it a movie night. http://www.amcentertainment.com/Studio/?tab=2







Indoor Ice Skating-



Did you know Overland Park has an indoor Ice Skating Center? It is located at 135th and Quivira. Grab a friend and head to Pepsi Midwest. During open skating sessions it's only $7.50/person. Check out their website for open skating times at http://www.pepsiicemidwest.com/index.php



Bowling-

INCRED-A-BOWL is a one-of-a-kind, 65,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art entertainment center. It's definitely not your typical "bowling alley". Located at 151st each game is just $4.25 per person.



Tour The Boulevard Brewing Company-



The Boulevard Brewing Company has grown to become one of the largest specialty brewing companies in the Midwest. Get your friends and take a walking tour of the brewery and hear the history of the company. On any Wednesday, Thursday or Friday no reservation is required and best of all its FREE!

Check out http://www.blvdbeer.com/tours/ for more information and times.



Mini-Golf @ Power Play



Power Play's Cosmic Mini Golf is nine holes of Glow In The Dark fun. Do you have what it takes to putt under the glow of the black light? It's the perfect competitive atmosphere for all ages and abilities. All this fun for just $3.50 per person!





Enjoy a Happy Hour-


Houlihans has an amazing happy hour! With locations all over the metro one is sure to be jusst around the corner. Don't forget to sign up on their website for specials like a free dinner on your birthday and other great specials!



See an Exhibit-

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is internationally recognized for its outstanding collection of more than 33,500 objects. From ancient times to modern day, this encyclopedic museum is one of the best in the country, offering visitors the opportunity to explore civilization through the eyes of painters, sculptors, craftsmen, and many other artists.

The Nelson-Atkins is FREE to all visitors, everyday... come discover the best of Kansas City

Laser Tag

Strategy, planning, team building. Let us at INCRED-A-BOWL solve your team building issues. Laser Tag is the perfect event to strengthen employee morale, efficiency and communication. With games for up to 10 players, INCRED-A-BOWL is putting the “T” back in teamwork. Call today for solutions to your employee team building problems.

Laser tag is offered in 10 minute sessions. Each game is only $7.00 so get your friends together and have a great time!

Visit the Arboretum




For just $5.00, you can see "Music For The Birds" playing at 2:00pm each Sunday in February. Toy can also stroll through the arboretum for free! Order tickets online http://artsandrec-op.org/arboretum/visit_sub_2.html

Renting--not buying--the dream

Stina Fish regularly dines at upscale restaurants, dabbles in the stock market and has vacationed internationally twice in the past year--and she plans to tour China later this month.
With an MBA under her belt, the 33-year-old Loop resident clearly knows how to handle money, yet there is one traditional investment she refuses to make: Fish can't bring herself to buy a home.
"Since college, I've thought that Americans are generally obsessed with the idea of homeownership being some kind of superior lifestyle, but I think we get more for our money renting," said Fish, a manager of development in the public transportation industry.
Although the conventional wisdom for money management and responsible adulthood dictates buying a home, recent research shows fewer Americans are making the leap to ownership.
Economic troubles have played a major role in the nation's real estate slump, but there also is a sizable portion of renters who say they have no intention of purchasing a house, citing rental advantages such as mobility and monthly savings.
The number of households that are renting grew by 3.4 million from 2004-2009, a 10 percent increase, according to a 2010 report by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University.
Some of those renters are there to stay. More than a quarter of renters never plan to buy a home, according to a national survey conducted this summer for trulia.com, a real estate search engine. Of the renters who said they do plan to purchase someday, 68 percent said it would be more than two years before they do so.
Fish says she has the financial means to purchase a home, but she prefers the convenience of renting the loft apartment she shares with her husband.
The space includes many of the perks often associated with homeownership--in-unit laundry, a covered parking space, pet-friendly building rules and a view of the Chicago River. (Fish did not want to reveal what she pays for rent, but she said it is less than a mortgage for a comparable space.)
"We don't worry about special assessments. We don't worry about having to replace the dishwasher or the furnace," Fish said. "Even though I've been in the same apartment since 2003, there's still the idea that I'm free to pick up and move anywhere, at any time."
Recent economic reports suggest even more people may be moving toward renting.
Sales of existing homes in Chicago fell 25.1 percent year-over-year in July, according to data released by the Illinois Association of Realtors. And that beats the national drop of 27.1 percent to reach the lowest level since the National Association of Realtors started tracking sales of single-family homes and condos in 1999, the Tribune reported.
The dip was expected after the expiration of a government tax rebate program, said Bob Ghislandi, an associate broker with real estate company @properties.
"We're seeing a void, which makes sense," he said. "We all expected this. But anyone who buys right now is getting an incredible deal."
Among the Chicago first-time home buyers who never looked back is Travis Linz, a senior sales representative who bought a two-bedroom penthouse condo in March in Ukrainian Village. After sitting on the sidelines for a couple of years, Linz said he was glad to finally negotiate a great price for a great place.
"Interest rates were low and it seemed like we might be coming out of the recession, so I didn't want to miss the window," said Linz, 30. "I wanted something unique and I found it."
Renting had its pluses, Linz conceded, but he prefers the ownership lifestyle.
"When I rented, it was great to know I could pack everything I own in an SUV and skip town should I decide to," he said. "But I also have had a few awful landlords over the years, and I don't miss dealing with them."
Thiyag Chinnappan, a 35-year-old marketing analyst, said he considered buying a home about two years ago, but the uncertain job market strongly influenced his decision to rent. So far, he has no regrets.
"Owning a place adds the burden of immobility," said Chinnappan, who says renting the four-bedroom Roscoe Village house he shares with three others has given him the opportunity to beef up his savings and travel around the world. "[I can] save more liquid cash and make other investments instead of tying it down to a house."
Owning a home wouldn't make Chinnappan feel any more mature or grown up, he said.
"It's a very personal decision," he said "This just fits my lifestyle better."
--ERIN M. SARRIS IS A REDEYE SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR. --

Before you purchase

How do you know when it's time to evict the landlord from your life? Neil Moscicki, a vice president and financial adviser with Harris Investor Services in suburban Roselle, shared five things a renter should have (left) before considering homeownership. E.S.

Breaking down the trade-offs

If there's one truth about taking the plunge into homeownership, it's that there always are two sides to consider. Is owning better than renting? That's up to the individual, but here are some issues to consider. E.S.

Maintenance

Owners: Your water pipe burst at 2 a.m.? That's gonna cost some money, but you've got your pick of plumbers.
Renters: This is the landlord's problem, but scheduling the repair might not be his first priority of the day--or week.

Decor

Owners: Pimp your space any way you'd like.
Renters: Who wants to spend weekends at Home Depot?

Payments

Owners: Added costs--taxes, insurance and special assessments--are part of the American dream, but so is the tax write-off.
Renters: No surprises--a single monthly check with a consistent payment.

Longevity

Owners: As long as your mortgage payments are on time, no one can kick you out of your space.
Renters: Rent increases loom large every year, but many landlords will give price breaks for signing a longer lease.

By Erin M. Sarris

http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/redeye/2010/09/renting--not-buying--the-dream.html
FOR REDEYE