Black Friday Roundup – Home Improvement

As I promised, I am going to run through some of the deals out there. First, I do want to answer some of the questions I got yesterday! If you missed my “intense” overview, check it out here! (BTW, I love that you guys think I am so hard core!)

One from Jessica Jones was do I think shopping at Black Friday is worth it if you shop sales all year long? My answer to that is yes, if you shop the right things. Are you going to find great deals on things that are pretty cheap normally? No, it is the big ticket items where you are going save major bucks. That said, if you are going to fight the crowds and get up that early, check out the cheaper stuff just to make sure you aren’t walking by something that is a good (but not jaw dropping) deal and conveniently right next to you as you walk to the checkout.

Love Where You Live (a new fab blog that I have just discovered – check out her Mood Board contest!) also wondered why it was called Black Friday. Well, the legend holds that once upon a time retailers didn’t make a whole lot of money until the Christmas season started. The day after Thanksgiving became the day where retailers went from being in the red, or negative numbers, to black healthy happy profits. Unfortunately, these hefty sales are baked into their quarterly numbers year after year and they have to continue to drive those same comparable numbers to make their shareholders happy. This is why you end up with some crazy deals that last a limited time and have a limited quantity. They want you to come shop in the store, but can’t afford the money they would have to lose to have enough of each item there all day for everyone who wanted one. Make sense? If not keep throwing me questions and I will answer them every day.

Now, back to the shopping. I am going to split these deals out into two sections each day. First, we will start with Doorbusters (which are likely to sell out soon) and follow that up with the all weekend deals. Now – all weekend deals may sell out just as fast if there are not a lot on hand and you guys can’t come back and flame me if you head out to these stores at noon on Friday and come back empty handed! Deal? Ok … then let us continue!

There are a lot of nice deals out there at Home Improvement stores. However, there are only a few things at Home Improvement stores that you need to get up and stand outside for. Those would be power tools and large home appliances. Now both Lowe’s and Home Depot have big disclaimers across the top of both of their ads screaming that ALL items featured are while supplies last and that quantities are limited. This basic disclaimer says if you get one you are in luck, but you probably cannot backorder it.

Doorbusters

This year, there were not too many fantastic power tool door busters. That said both Lowe’s and Home Depot have a $99.99 18 V DeWalt Cordless Drill/Driver which is normally $279.

Sears (who opens at 4am) also has a deal on a 10-inch table saw with stand for $89.99 normally $149.99.

For appliances though, there are a couple different deals that are pretty hot!

Sears has a front loading Washer/Dryer combo for $579.99 for the pair. They do state that the offer is limited to 4 per store and that a gas dryer is going to have a higher price. It also does not include the pedestals. However, that is a smoking hot price!

Sears is also offering a 22.6 cu. Ft. French Door Bottom Freezer Fridge in Black, White or Bisque for $749.99. It is normally $1499.99 so that is at 50% off. A silver stainless version is available for $899.99. The ad is pretty sketchy about how many of these will be available in the base colors, stating that there are approximately 2 per store but doesn’t specify if those are by color or not.

Home Depot has a pretty hot deal as well. A nice front loading LG washer dryer combo for $798. The small print does say while supplies last but does not specify if there is a minimum per store. A gas dryer is going to run you a little extra and the pedestals are sold separately.

All Weekend Deals

Ok, now we are getting into the good stuff. To me, unless you really want one of those deals above one of these stores should be a second or third stop on your list simply to pick up some of the great deals listed below.

For some great little gifts check out these nice pickups!

I love this little square toolbag! It is $9.98 at Home Depot.

Drill/Driver sets are also a great pickup for the handy person in your life (even if that is you!). The best deal out there is a 100 piece Dewalt drill set that is normally $49.99 and is $19.97 at Lowe’s.

This 5 piece pliers set at Home Depot has the ever elusive groove joint pliers which normally will cost you just as much as the full set at $9.97. My hubby – who is a certified ASE car mechanic – saw that set as I was scrolling through the ads and commented that he would buy that set if he were out and about.

Now for those of you looking for the big guns keep on scrolling! So the hubby used to work part time at Home Depot while he was in school. When I started talking about doing crown molding projects he said we would need two things. A miter saw and a compressor with nail gun set. He would not let me even consider buying a compressor and gun set until Black Friday because of the ever so predictable and fantastic deal that Home Depot has on this Porter Cable compressor combo that they offer every Black Friday. And for $199 if you have looked at nail gun/compressor sets before you will see that this is about half what they normally are.

To finish up your dreams of beautiful crown molding, you need to pick up this great 12 inch compound miter saw from Sears at $179. It is regularly $279 so at $100 bucks off it is a good deal. Sears is also offering 20% off all blades with any purchase of a saw so you can get your cut on at a discount as well.

Home Depot, in my opinion beat the pants off Lowe’s this year. They also have this great deal on this Consumer Reports Best Buy Brinkman grill. I bought this for the hubby for his birthday two years ago for $299. On Black Friday, you can get it for $179. It is a great little grill and really is a value for the money. They do note that there are a minimum of 20 per store, but that is a high minimum so you will probably be able to get one of these pretty easily!

Another of the Home Depot deals, that I sat up and took notice on was this bad boy. These Maytag’s normally run $899 for the colored versions. However, right now (today, now, this minute!!) you can get the white version that will also be $499 a piece on Friday for $499 today! They are up on HomeDepot.com here!  These also have a 5 out of 5 star rating. Of course, the pedestals aren’t included but this is a GREAT buy!

Finally, if a new Fridge is in your future, you need to check out the Kenmore Elite Stainless Steel model that Sears is offering for $1599. I know, $1599 isn’t cheap. However, that is $1200 off the normal price. It is a 25 cu ft Fridge with a built in LED water and ice in door system. This is one of those deals that is SOOO worth it if you are in the market for a new one!

I hope that helps you with your Home Improvement type shopping. Did you see anything that made you decide to go out? Are you looking for items I didn’t showcase? Leave me comments and I will be glad to help you try to find what you are looking for!

P.S. Tomorrow, I am going to negotiate the somewhat more intrepid White Goods (sheets, towel, home décor) which are sometimes false deals. I will wrap it up Wednesday with an Electronics overview and then spend Thursday mapping out some good gift deals. We are traveling Tuesday night so if I don’t get it posted late Tuesday expect two posts to come through on Wednesday! Want me to review something specific? Just let me know!