Community Newsletter: Q&A forum: When do you think is the best time to buy consumer electronics?

I know it might sound nuts but rather than giving hundreds of billions of dollars to these corporate grifters. More investment is needed for public infrastructure. Putting people to work, paying people a living wage, and getting cash flow back into our economy. After all our whole financial system is based on speculation rather than something tangible. And because of this once there's money in people's pockets and there's something tangible developed in terms of public infrastructure IE: public transit, road and bridge improvements, as well as leading the world in new forms of renewable energy. It will take some time but I think we'll be alright.

I'm Canadian eh. I've met many truly great Americans, lots of them, fine people.
What I never can understand is how the country as a whole, can act so completely different than these fun, considerate, thoughtful, noble men and women that I've met. Should I assume that I only met the best, and there's a huge chunk of bad ones that throw the balance the other way?
Or is there something else going on? I think everyone needs to read George Orwell's "1984".
In it, the people are constantly fed misinformation through the "Ministry of Propaganda" to support wars against other countries, and keep everyone blindly obeying the governments wishes. Anyone who breaks away from that is caught by the spy system and targeted for punishment.
We get a lot of US TV up here and week after week, show after show, there is a terrorist this, and an Al Queda that. A threat here and a threat there. And that is the entertainment channels! The news is even worse! There's a yellow security alert, or a red one, a heightened risk, a possible threat or a dangerous situation. Leaving out 911 (which had the facts swept away so fast I have to wonder) just how many real things have happened to you guys? I'm not talking about suspects captured or explosives found in trunk, I'm talking about real bad things happening. And don't tell me that HS has prevented it all, that's like the old joke that circling your finger in the air keeps lions away... you see any lions... it must be working.
Back to the media. First there's the way you live. Apparently almost everyone in the US has a huge home filled with the best of everything. On one show I watched a guy arguing about American excess, say "Since when is a 'walk-in' refrigerator a luxury"? And on many of the dramas it seems routine for American soldiers/police/secret agents/vigilantes to go into another country and shoot someone and somehow that's OK 'cause he was baad. One NCIS episode had a military team sneak in to Canada to kill someone and when the Director was asked if Canadian Authorities should be notified she said "I'm not going to let a few miles of border stop me"! We're your friends for crying out loud, would it be OK if foreign countries sent assassins in to the US?
So the "programming" part of 1984 seems to be well in place. How about the surveillance? I know for a fact this message will be scanned because I've mentioned enough hot phrases and I hope I don't show up on your news as a "suspect captured" but remember, I do like you guys.
I thought it was interesting when Dubyah got in the second time and a "we're sorry" website went up so those who didn't vote for him could apologize to the rest of the world. A lot of people didn't dare show their face or name. What's up with that? And I have to wonder who is really providing all that free server space for people to upload pictures of themselves and their friends. I think it's safe to say "Big Brother" is alive and well.
But to finish on a positive note. Watch "The Amazing Race" and see how all over the world Americans meet people in foreign countries and are surprised how nicely they're treated. Makes me think they were led to believe differently.

You are welcome; but actually, this is something that did not happen during my era, being thanked! I'm not sure it is completly deserved; I soon learned from a young boy of around 10 years of age, after he attempted to steel a Swiss Watch from my wrist,that we were no different in their eyes than any of the invaders that had tramped through his country throughout their history. Then he bravely and defiantly told me; you GI('s)go, get out, leave all(your) money and guns....or...maybe...you die here! The Republican President in 1954 or there abouts put military advisors in that country to prop up a money grabbing husband and wife regime. Once again we thought we could succeed where the French, Dutch and others could not, by attempting to grab the natural resources under the guise of combating communism, nudge, nudge, wink, wink.
I believe it was a writer in a New York Paper, the Post, (feel free to correct me if I am wrong<about the paper>). He said that auto workers were making $75.00 an hour and up. This was a dramatic twist on reality on his part, as the only way to come up with an average anything like that would be to figure in the retirees on pention; and the overall costs of health care for current and retired workers and not take into account the consessions the union has made in recent negotiations. In the real world they range between the low to high $20.'s and when you figure in the health and retirement plans for the workers on the higher end it may average close to $30. plus; this is the same underpaid ball park that most skilled carpenters are in, you don't think they should take a pay cut too do you; although it seems unfair that plumbers and many electricians tend to make considerably more per hour? Maybe they should take a pay cut as their jobs could not exist without the builder/ carpenter, for that matter why not the masons, etc. I'm sure in your heart you are a kind person, but you may have been too close to a few situations that offended you; and in one or two cases it was personal, let go! Obama seems to think that, at least at this time, making an example of the excessive people in this ending Administration, is not the bitter path to be following. I understand what he is thinking, and I to some degree can get behind it; but I do hope that in any cases where he can see some possibility of restoration of a sort or blaten criminal acts that can be prosecuted without a circus witch hunt, he will consider the feelings throughout this country. And no I can't forgive the dishonesty of George and Dick, they knew they lied to us all.
We all see the world through our own personal lense. To include others without reservation in that world, who raise our ire, or who we find difficult to understand their thinking or attitudes; is often the connundrum of life in which we find ourselves. I may almost see what you are saying, when it comes to scuttlebutt about Unions, most of which is not true; but knowing the history of this and other countries without them..,you might, but I don't want the alternitive. Bless America, Slainte'.

I used to sell cameras many years ago and was in the retail world for nearly eight years. In just the eight months I sold cameras our number one vendor changed their lineups THREE times! So yes, the answer is buy when you are ready to buy, for the right features and the price that you are willing to pay. I will admit, though, that one of the better times to purchase electronics is during or right after the CES show when all the new stuff comes out. Why? Because the retailers need to move the older stock for the new stuff they just committed for at the CES show, so pricing will be very good in late January to early February.

I also commend you for telling it like it is when it comes to a recession. Thanks to the media we have been hoarding our money for the past six months, all because of some stupid banks giving money to stupid people who either could not understand the contract they negotiated or who really could not have afforded a house but was given one anyways. That is my story and I am sticking to it! LOL!

I SO agree with you on the recession being a self-fulfilling prophecy! I'm not discounting the Fanny/Freddie debachal or the lay-offs in the auto industry. But, I own a landscape/interior floral company and it is so far, recession-proof! If anything, people are spending MORE money on their homes and interiors because they are traveling less and spending more money in their homes. When I have to wait 20 minutes at JoAnn Fabrics to be checked out and they have SEVEN cash registers ringing up sales...there is NO recession! What in the world does JoAnn Fabrics sell that is necessary? Nothing! Same goes for Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and the other places I go to daily...there is NO lack of people spending-spending-spending! I also have two friends who work at casinos in Michigan and ALL rooms are still booked to capacity and the casino has experienced no loss of gamblers. If you have money to throw away, you are NOT expereiencing a personal recession.

I know that there are people affected by this economical hiccup. But, in my immediate world, people are buying unnecessary things, gambling and going out to eat at expensive restaraunts the same as they ever were.

The economy no longer has a gold standard, we have a confidence standard now. The media makes money on fear which breeds the current break in confidence. I just quit my job and went on a long vacation (in the US), totally broke now, and nearly totally unconcerned. Even if the economy turns to utter crap, I will do better than survive because despite what my actions mean to you, I am really freakin smart (made possible by years of sitting around thinking without fear or perceived limits). This is the type of confidence which has built our country up, and this will return when people stop attributing every business failure and economic model shift to an eventual utter depression.

Buying when you need may be good for you. Obviously you can afford to drop 5K on a hard drive, you are not terribly worried about affording other things that may be less of a luxury item.
For those of us who upgrade their systems closer to the time that we NEED to, than when we WANT to, finding the right sales cycles are important.
You seem to be insulated from such requirements and I commend your fortune. But there enough people out there not hording their money, but putting that 5K towards heating, or towards medical or vehicle bills. Still, those same people would like to upgrade their electronics... they just do not have the disposable income not to wait for a sale like what you are talking about.

There is a lot of people who brought, brought, and brought way above their means, and a lot of them now, lost their jobs, homes, families,and now living homeless, all because of Capitalism, Greed, and trying to live like the Jones. It is so stupid not to try to "Save". True, life is not promise to anyone, you have to do a balance act you might be around until you're 70,80,or 90, and to not save anything is insane.

My answer is really simple Roger. This is a great time to buy consumer electronics, IF:

You will not need to use credit or touch core savings to make the purchase.
It is an item you will truly use on a regular basis.

Jim J.

Prices will continue to decline until confidence increases. Wait for a week on wall street when the prices dont go through wild swings.

That will be the start of when consumer confidence begins to return.

That said bout the second last week in january once all the Christmas money has been spent will be good, or the first week in February.

Personally I would wait till the Boxing day sales start the reason being if they have more unsold then they thought prices would be veen lower. Also watch for Circiut City with Chapter 11 protection they may lower prices to get income quickly.

I plan to buy a 500 GIG external HD and plan to wait for the Boxing day sales.

Fred

It depends totally on you. If you want to start enjoying HD now instead of waiting, buy now. Bear in mind, this is a lot like the stock market. You can buy now, see the price drop in two months, and regret your purchase. On the flip side, you've now enjoyed your purchase for those two months. Prices will surely be low on certain (perhaps poorly rated and/or leftover) HDTV's on Black Friday. The same thing applies to ones left over after Christmas- if they were so good, why weren't they purchased already? Bottom line, find the one you love, find the right price, and purchase it from a reputable retailer!

Be sure you do not throw out your mail from your credit card compaines.
Chase is going up on their fees rather you have been on time or not. This should affect all card holders. Chase is also raising mim payment due. They are also starting an extra fee for those that carry a large balance for over 2 years.
American Express has sent out mail as well stating their fees will be raised.
If you do not have a christmass club account and or savings. Reguardless of how wonderful the sales are, Untill you know what the new credit card fees will be in these trying times unless you have cash saved up do not go into more debt.
Use Craigs list , look in newspaper, barter look for older modles and pay cash. How good will that notebook , tv or new phone be if you find out in Dec your fees and mim payment will be to much to handle and the so called savings on bf will outweigh the service fees the credit card compaines may soon charge?

If you have a Fry's Electronics store location the best time to buy consumer electronics. Is the Thanksgiving Day sale. The one day event you will save an additional 20% off. They have the lowest pricing year round. But the One day sale is unbeatable value. And they will have whatever item your looking for in stock. It takes at least a year before the pricing level will be that low again.

I have found Fry's to be consistently the lowest priced consumer electronics available online or other wise for the past 8 years.