Experienced Black Friday/Holiday shoppers! Need advice!

I'm kind of frustrated right now.  Santa gave me a tighter budget than I hoped for this year.  It would be no problem; if I didn't have my heart set on this one particular kitchen set for my DD.  http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2316877

I have a whole spreadsheet set up so I could compare prices for the different toys on her Christmas/Birthday list. (Her Birthday is 2 weeks after Christmas.)  So last night "Santa" sat down and looked over my spreadsheet.  I'm going to have to cut out about $60 worth of things between the 2.

So after "Santa" went to bed I sat down again and looked over the list and re-prioritized things and even consider other sets.  That's when I noticed Toys R Us had the set on sale for a price even better than Walmart!!  I was stoked!  That would let me keep a few of the other things on the list and I felt good about it.

Till this afternoon when I went back to look and it's suddenly back at full price!!  I had just finished the list this weekend so it wasn't on sale all weekend.  I don't know if it was a glitch or something.  Even the google search I did to compare prices had it at $120 from them instead of $150. 

So now I don't know what to do.  Should I wait for Black Friday (it's not showing as on sale in any of the Black Friday ads I've seen so far) or just after to see if it goes cheaper?  Or should I scoop it up if it goes back on sale?  It's not sold in stores so that doesn't help me. 

Hmm well....a kitchen set is not exactly the most productive toy I'd probably just get her something else!! But that's just me- I don't think kitchen sets are good for little girls ( reinforces the whole thing about women belonging in the kitchen mindset)

I'd never go near a mall on black Friday!    As much as I love malls and shopping, to me it's just not worth it to face the maddening crowds on that day.    Don't some stores give you rain checks for a sale price?

ut0pia said:

Hmm well....a kitchen set is not exactly the most productive toy I'd probably just get her something else!! But that's just me- I don't think kitchen sets are good for little girls ( reinforces the whole thing about women belonging in the kitchen mindset)

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I think it's a matter of what the child likes! Obviously she knows her daughter would like that, so she is looking for the best deal!

I would wait for a sale Leigh Ann, there will be big sales before Christmas!

Thanks.  I'm going to get one at some point.  I'm just afraid since I'm counting my dollars that I'll come across some crazy short sale again (or whatever that was last night!) and regret not getting it when I could.  It stinks that her birthday is so close to Christmas.  We don't do big purchases really unless its a birthday/holiday.  And with her being our first we don't have the big things; like the kitchens or a swingset, etc.  I keep thinking the cost of these holidays per child has to be cheaper once there are 2!

 

ut0pia said:

Hmm well....a kitchen set is not exactly the most productive toy I'd probably just get her something else!! But that's just me- I don't think kitchen sets are good for little girls ( reinforces the whole thing about women belonging in the kitchen mindset)

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I've never met a child, female or male, that didn't love playing with a kitchen set.  Kids love to do what their parents do.  I couldn't disagree with your statement more and I will leave it at that.

I'd wait on a sale too. You'll likely be able to get it cheaper. Or even wait until after Christmas if you can and get it for her birthday.  It will be cheaper still because of after Christmas sales.   Do you think she will get your money's worth of playtime out of that? Most kids are rather mature these days and want things that are more technological in nature, even if they are young.  

<< I keep thinking the cost of these holidays per child has to be cheaper once there are 2>>

Um- no LOLOLOL.

Just wait until they're teenagers.  The items that are #1 on the girls' list this year are new cellphones and iPod touches.  Cell phones are pretty easy- they get the "free" ones. 

iPod touch- $195 each. 

Good thing that when I had my temp job I put away money from one of my paychecks for that. 

And the Keurig that the family wants as well LOL

Btw- when my kids were little we had a FP kitchen set for them.  They got it for Christmas one year.  I felt bad, "Santa" (aka dh) was up well past midnight putting the thing together LOL. They loved it.  Played with it for years, I think my youngest was in K when we finally gave it up in a yard sale.

Cheryl

 

I think I'd wait, too. Oh, and should you decide to order online, look around for online coupons, codes, and the like. Sometimes you can get free shipping with a code and that's a good bargain when you buy something online.

As for the kitchen set for a little girl, I'm all for it. But it would be the same for a little boy, too. Our son and DIL bought our granddaughter a play kitchen and I can say that our grandson enjoys it every bit as much as our granddaughter. I don't really look at the stereotypical "gender-appropriate" toys all that much. Both of our grandchildren enjoy baking with me in the kitchen and they love to help make breakfast and decorate cookies and such. If you think your daughter will enjoy a play kitchen, by all means, give her one.

Oh the teenage years!  My parents had a policy; we put in several requests for bigger things and they chose what one to get.  The year I wanted a stereo (when CD players were pretty new!) I got one and the only other thing I got was a body wash set and I think that was about it.  Not even a CD to go in it!  And I was fine with that.  There were 5 of us and well all knew that Christmas funds had to be spread between us all.  I'm hoping that'll work when my kids reach that age!    Eventually I might do one of the Christmas accounts with the bank too.

And I do think she will get our moneys worth out of it.  As well as any other kids we have.  She plays with the one in the nursery at church all the time.  A friend has one and she had a tantrum when it was time to go home.  Oh and her dentist has one.  I know I played with mine for years and years.  I think I was a teenager when we gave it away finally.  Now I regret that because she spends a lot of time at my Mom's house and would be enjoying it too!  Shes playing with a few things my Mom saved from my toddler years.  Love that.

Winchester said:

I think I'd wait, too. Oh, and should you decide to order online, look around for online coupons, codes, and the like. Sometimes you can get free shipping with a code and that's a good bargain when you buy something online.

As for the kitchen set for a little girl, I'm all for it. But it would be the same for a little boy, too. Our son and DIL bought our granddaughter a play kitchen and I can say that our grandson enjoys it every bit as much as our granddaughter. I don't really look at the stereotypical "gender-appropriate" toys all that much. Both of our grandchildren enjoy baking with me in the kitchen and they love to help make breakfast and decorate cookies and such. If you think your daughter will enjoy a play kitchen, by all means, give her one.

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Yep!  We don't really look for things based on gender.  Just what she likes.  She is all into babies right now too.  But she also loves to push around a toy train her cousin gave her and she loves the toy airplane she has.  Funny thing is she makes the "choo choo" noise for the airplane. 
 

Since it is not sold in stores have you checked places like Ebay and Amazon? I only suggest this because alot of times I can see something in a store and go nuts for it till I see the price and then I can look on Amazon and I can find it for a good chunk of dollars less. 

Worst case scenario...you could wait and save up the money for it gradually and do it as an Easter present or a lookie what I gotcha present kinda thing.

Can't you take the add to the store and see if they'll honor the price?? Most places honor other stores flyers so maybe if you take it to that store and show them the price, they will give it to you for that.

There is no point in black friday shopping anymore for regular consumers IMO. 

There are too many "professional shoppers" out that are desperate enough to wait longer and shove harder just to grab all the best deals and then quickly resell them on craigslist or ebay for a profit.  

Cyber Monday shopping in the comfort of your home tax free is the way to go.

ut0pia said:

Hmm well....a kitchen set is not exactly the most productive toy I'd probably just get her something else!! But that's just me- I don't think kitchen sets are good for little girls ( reinforces the whole thing about women belonging in the kitchen mindset)

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So according to your theory, you shouldn't give a boy a plastic shovel because he might turn out to be a ditch digger.   Sometimes toys are just toys. Besides, some women, like me, like being in the kitchen. It doesn't prevent me from doing anything else I want to do. I happen to like to cook. 

Bought my granddaughter one two Xmas's ago when she was 2 she still plays with it. Little children regardless of sex love to pretend cooking.Males and females both eat so they should now how to cook for themselves .....As to play value its played with often. I would snatch up the one you want at the best price you can find sooner rather then later.

   I have learned the hard way many times if you wait for a better price often at Xmas time you will not get it at all because its sold out!..

I saw that Walmart is doing a thing where if you buy something and then if you find it at a cheaper price before Christmas they will give you the difference on a gift card. Just thought Id toss that out there in case thats one of the places you found it at.