Dirty secrets of Black Friday 'doorbusters'

[jnl67]

For any bargain hunters, i excerpted the part pertaining TV's. Here is the link to the full article:

http://money.cnn.com/2009/11/20/news/economy/black_friday_doorbuster_secrets/index.htm

What do you mean this HDTV is a "derivative?" Some of the holiday electronics with those low sale prices are derivatives, models that have a few less features than a standard model in that product line, said Dworsky.

The difference can be subtle. "The image contrast ratio might be 20,000 in a derivative model versus 30,000 in a standard model," he said. "Most consumers probably won't even notice the difference."

A report earlier this month in Consumer Reports called attention to HDTV models from Samsung and Sony advertised in Black Friday deals that appear to be "derivatives." The report said these one-off TVs "with unfamiliar model numbers" are usually cheaper than the standard model in their class.

Dworsky cautions that retailers usually don't advertise these models as derivatives. "There's no way the average consumer will know that the TV model they are buying is not the standard one unless they are savvy enough to compare their model numbers," he said.

 

[GlocksRock]

I'm not the least bit surprised by this, but as long as the model number is stated beforehand, the consumer should do their homework and research what they are buying, especially when it comes to a purchase like an expensive tv.

 

[jamie2112]

That is really a shady buisness practice.Most people won't look into the model #as they expect it to be whats advertised.Although I myself would for sure be looking at #'s,most people do not think for themselves (cattle) and these are the people who are going to get screwed......

 

[GlocksRock]

That is really a shady buisness practice.Most people won't look into the model #as they expect it to be whats advertised.Although I myself would for sure be looking at #'s,most people do not think for themselves (cattle) and these are the people who are going to get screwed......

Caveat emptor... when a deal looks too good to be true, it usually is. I know it's somewhat shady, almost a bait and switch, but as long as they advertise the model numbers beforehand you should do your research.

 

[3db]

Caveat emptor... when a deal looks too good to be true, it usually is. I know it's somewhat shady, almost a bait and switch, but as long as they advertise the model numbers beforehand you should do your research.

Ethically its the wrong thing to do and it comes very close to a bait and switch tactic.

 

[j_garcia]

It absolutely is Caveat Emptor. I know which model numbers I am interested in before I go to the store. If a consumer buys a set without knowing what features or capabilities it has just because of price, then the other addage "you get what you pay for" is going to apply.

 

[chris357]

most consumers will believe a lie before they believe the truth.. they always believe what they want to believe. They will also in many cases buy first based on price then complain about that they got screwed even though they didnt read the fine print first.

i see it everyday

 

[MidnightSensi]

You know the clothing 'factory outlet' stores actually have different products than the main store and buy for those. Like, a Polo factory outlet isn't the same quality or product that they sell in their main stores. They make stuff specially for those outlet stores.

So, this is the same sort of thing.

 

[j_garcia]

You know the clothing 'factory outlet' stores actually have different products than the main store and buy for those. Like, a Polo factory outlet isn't the same quality or product that they sell in their main stores. They make stuff specially for those outlet stores.

So, this is the same sort of thing.

I don't think they make items for those stores, those are the items that didn't meet the primary store's standards of quality (meaning they have slight imperfections) so they are sold through the outlet stores at a cut price. That is not the same as selling a slightly different model with less features that LOOKS like the higher model, though in both cases they are taking advantage of less "skilled" customers.

 

[lsiberian]

I don't think they make items for those stores, those are the items that didn't meet the primary store's standards of quality (meaning they have slight imperfections) so they are sold through the outlet stores at a cut price. That is not the same as selling a slightly different model with less features that LOOKS like the higher model, though in both cases they are taking advantage of less "skilled" customers.

This isn't entirely true on the outlet stores. The shoe stores tend to have a rack of rejects and a section of the standard stuff. It really depends on the store. Many outlet stores are becoming more like malls than reject stores.

 

[jnl67]

Caveat emptor... when a deal looks too good to be true, it usually is. I know it's somewhat shady, almost a bait and switch, but as long as they advertise the model numbers beforehand you should do your research.

What frustrates me is that as someone who does the homework, the manufacturers have now just added more fodder to search through. Even with differing model numbers, you have to pour over specifications to try and spot the differences, the stores don't actually highlight that you are getting an inferior product. Specially if you have to deal with a commissioned sales rep...they smooth talk everything. I don't even listen to them now, but i consider myself a savvy shopper.

I think with the electronics specifically, it could be small things such as using cheaper manufactured circuit boards or other hardware, modified firmware, tweaked specs...that make it difficult to research beforehand.

 

[GlocksRock]

If you buy it and don't like it, you can always return it and get a higher up model. But like was already said, you get what you pay for. Most average consumers probably wouldn't know the difference, or even care that much since they probably couldn't even see the difference, or know what to look for. They will be happy they just got a new HD bigscreen tv.

 

[Adam]

If you buy it and don't like it, you can always return it and get a higher up model. But like was already said, you get what you pay for. Most average consumers probably wouldn't know the difference, or even care that much since they probably couldn't even see the difference, or know what to look for. They will be happy they just got a new HD bigscreen tv.

Just what I was thinking. If someone can't tell the difference...then I'd say it's the same thing as there not being a difference. Someone got a TV that they like for a lower price.

That said, I was just warning my buddy about this earlier this week when he mentioned a cheap TV advertised for Black Friday. This approach has caught my attention before.

 

[annunaki]

most consumers will believe a lie before they believe the truth.. they always believe what they want to believe. They will also in many cases buy first based on price then complain about that they got screwed even though they didnt read the fine print first.

i see it everyday

Ignorance and apathy are bliss especially in an "I'm a victim" society.