Consumer Ally Recall Roundup: Benadryl, Motrin, Glasses, Cribs, Chairs and More
Linda Doell
Nov 26th 2010 @ 8:00AM EST
Filed Under: Food, Recalls, Health, Consumer Ally, In the News
Keeping track of the latest product and food recalls can be daunting, so Consumer Ally has put them in one place for you to check each week.Here is a wrap-up of the past week's recalls:
Debt-Free Holidays: 10 Ways to Shop Better on Black Friday and Beyond
Martha C. White
Nov 26th 2010 @ 6:00AM EST
Filed Under: Bargains, Family Money, Black Friday, Economizer, Holiday Shopping
It can be enormously gratifying to watch our loved ones' faces light up when they open a holiday gift we've carefully purchased with them in mind. But it can be equally stressful trying to buy something they'll love and still keep the gift-buying budget under control. Not surprisingly, WalletPop's staff turned out to be experts in the art of buying gifts for less, and they were all too happy to share their secrets for debt-free Black Friday shopping and beyond.Many on our staff recommend that families cut down on the gift expenses by holding a "Secret Santa" or "Kris Kringle" exchange in which people draw names out of a hat and only buy a gift for that person. Others say their families have negotiated agreements in which only the kids get gifts, or only nominal gifts (say, less than $25) are exchanged. "Many times both parties spend more than they want to simply because they both are afraid of offending the other," points out WalletPop's Tom Barlow.
Black Friday 2010 Freebies: Smart Phones, Coffee, Ornaments and More
There are so many Friday Freebies on Black Friday 2010, it's enough to make you ditch your relatives and shop. From free smart phones, to tote bags, breakfast to software, retailers are enticing would-be customers with everything under the sun.Here are some of the goodies you can get:
Black Friday 2010 Doorbusters: The Best and Worst Deals
If you're still undecided about whether or not to head out on Black Friday, we've got a list of some of the best, and worst, deals.Here Are Some Bad Ones
Don't be fooled by an ad comparing the Black Friday sale price to the manufacturer's suggested retail price. Things are almost never sold at the MSRP, and the reference is meant to create perceived value where there is none.
Don't Get Taken on Black Friday: How to Avoid Common Shopping Pitfalls
Anyone preparing to shop on Black Friday is likely drowning in ads by now. Trying to figure out which stores open earliest, which offers the best doorbuster deals and just how to score them can drive a person to drink. But take some advice from the pros and you might find your stress level greatly reduced."The whole point of these Black Friday flyers is to get you in the door, and it's impossible to get to more than one store at once," says Christine Frietchen, editor-in-chief of ConsumerSearch.com, a site that collects and analyzes consumer product reviews. "Once you're in the store, the idea is to sell you more stuff that you may not really need."
Here are a few tips to avoid common Black Friday gotchas:
Should You Open a Store Credit Card on Black Friday?
Martha C. White
Nov 25th 2010 @ 9:00AM EST
Filed Under: Black Friday, Credit Cards, Holiday Shopping
Anyone who plans to get caught up in the Black Friday shopping madness this year can expect to be asked (perhaps more than once) whether they'd like to open a store credit card. Typically, store credit cards can be terribly tempting, with promises of discounts of 10% to 15% on the first purchase and other bonuses. But, on Black Friday, the savings seduction is even more irresistable.Retailers may bump up the initial savings offer or sweeten the deal in other ways, says John Ulzheimer, founder of 2StepCredit.com. "You're going to be hit up very aggressively for in-store retail cards, and we're even seeing 20% off in some places," he says. However, Ulzheimer adds, "It's a very enticing offer, but the downside is pretty significant."
In other words, when it comes to opening a store card, shoppers inevitably pay a hefty price for discount at checkout.
Black Friday: Tips from Best Buy and JCPenney
If you're planning on hitting the stores Black Friday morning, take some advice from the experts. The Black Friday Insider at WalletPop spoke to two Black Friday veterans and got some tips about how to navigate the year's busiest shopping day.
Black Friday: Store Hours
Stores are opening even earlier on Black Friday than usual this year -- Kmart, Sears, and Toys R Us are even maintaining hours on Thanksgiving Day. Fortunately for shoppers, holiday sale ads were released well in advance to allow plenty of time for planning. For stores with the deepest discounts plan to get in line early, but don't worry if you miss a bargain; there is always Cyber Monday.Shoppers' Best Black Friday Secrets
WalletPop readers answer the call to share their best secrets for successful Black Friday shopping.
We asked bargain-obsessed shoppers who know how to navigate the post-Thanksgiving sales madness to share how they score the best deals or keep things merry. Here are their best Black Friday shopping tips.
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