THE CHICAGO IL REAL ESTATE MARKET, AND OTHER THINGS CHICAGO, FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF A LITTLE WHITE DOG!
I ate the usual -Turkey and gravy. Sweet potato casserole. Creamed spinach. A couple of pieces of homemade pumpkin pie (thanks, Grandma Elaine!) Didn't realize it would make me so tired!
Do you know what today is? Of course you do it's
BLACK FRIDAY!
You know, that's the day all those crazy humans, predominantly females, rush the Walmart's, Kohl's, and Best Buy's of this world looking for that CHRISTMAS GIFT BARGAIN OF THE CENTURY!
I wanted to take a break between stores to quickly post my weekly blog.
BTW . . . want a good overview of what's on sale today, including the Door Buster Savings only available for another hour or two this morning? Check out BlackFridayAds.com, and you'll get the lowdown on most of the big, national chains.
Sales are predicted to be scaled back quite a bit this year. As you know, in researching these blog posts, me and my Cub Reporter, Gracie Moss, scan the business pages in great depth. It's a tough economy this year for humans, here in Chicago, and elsewhere. Job layoffs, tight credit, declining investments and home equity.
For me, I'm glad I'm just a Little White Dog - I don't have to worry so much about all that stuff - as long as there is enough money left over for Meaty Bones at the end of the day!
But what are many folks buying this year? Believe it or not, still - wide-screen HDTV's!
Prices are falling on most models, and everyone is getting ready for the big Analog to Digital Conversion next February 17th. According to PriceScan, an Internet price comparison service, prices on popular 32" and 37" LCD HDTV models fell 2% last September, plus another 5% in October.
Today, on Black Friday, some 32" models will sell for $399 in early-bird savings at several of the big-box stores. Riddhi Patel, an analyst with iSupply, a Market Research firm, predicts similarly-low pricing is likely to continue deep into the Holiday shopping season, and possibly into early next year.
It's a slowing economy, of course, that is slowing sales for new, high-end TV's. This year, however, many manufacturers ramped up production commitments several months ago, on projections of strong fourth quarter sales. This time in 2007, many HDTV brands were in short supply, due to a shortage of HDTV components.
With supplies now higher, in combination with lower demand because of the economy, many TV makers will be forced to discount extensively to move surplus inventory.
Of course, there are dozens of deals to be had today - on clothing, on toys, on jewelry, and on, and on. But for me, you dogs, I'm lobbying my humans Dean and Sue for a new, kick-butt TV. That's why I'm out early so I can help Dean pick the best model.
I'm a big Chicago Bears fan, you know, and I want to see all the minute details on the screen as the Bears battle the Minnesota Vikings this Sunday night!
"Who Let The Dogs Out?" - oops, wrong NFL Team!
Shop wisely - and safely!
See my post today @ BlogChicagoHomes.com. You'll find a link discussing how the market for high-tech HDTV's is changing to benefit the consumer, from Christopher Lawton's post in yesterday's Wall Street Journal.
YOUR ACE REPORTER ON FOUR PAWS,
BUDDY HOLLY MOSS & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
Thanks for the info it is amazing when looking at the good deals out there. I guess that is one bright spot in this whole mess. Have a great 2009
Buddy, I say just smile along with Gracie at Dean and Sue and you should get that kick butt TV! Very hard to resist you Buddy. You are adoreable Biddy and the whole office thinks so to.
Buddy -- you will save a lot of money unlike some humans -- Hopefully, your team will win and you will get some turkey leftovers today! Enjoy the holiday season.
Carley - the spoiled cat!
Hi Buddy... if you are heading out shopping, be very careful. A little white dog could get easily trampled by the uncivilized crowds on Black Friday! Stay home, relax, have another piece of pumpkin pie and let Dean do the shopping... he's taller than you are!