ShopNBC, err, EVINE goes back to 2006 for computers

I was looking for a laptop computer for someone else.  I looked at one of the shopping channels just to see what they had.

I'm always amused that they cheat by not really being specific.  It's rare that they tell the display's actual specifications, such as the resolution or the graphics hardware behind it.  You can bet that 1366x768 is the 15.6 inch display's resolution and that it has the basic, integrated graphics hardware that is part of the CPU package.

As I've been annoyed in the past with tablet sales from the shopping channels, they're overcharging for laptop computers, as well.  I noticed a mid-2014 MacBook Pro Retina bundle was US$1100 extra for the lovely accessories.  Instead of paying US$1799.99 from various stores, you'll pay US$2899.99 from HSN.
 
What was really curious was an IBM ThinkPad T60.  Remember that IBM sold their PC business to Lenovo a few years ago.  You'll notice that the display has a 4:3 ratio rather than 16:9 (or even 16:10), as is typical today.  The processor is equally ancient--an Intel Core Duo T2500.  That was replaced with the Core 2 Duo a long, long time ago, and the latest are the Core M, the way Intel brands them.

Even more sadly amusing is that the price is US$214.99 for a refurbished machine from at least 8 years ago.  They should be selling it for just the US$16.99 shipping and handling--or maybe, they should be paying customers the price for taking it off their hands.

In the end, I saw many curious offers for people who can't get out to a real store or those who are not knowledgeable about companies such as Newegg, Micro Center, or even Best Buy.

Black Friday/Holiday Shopping 2013

I'm weird.  I like to shop.  I like to compare deals and I like a real bargain.  I also like to share fake bargains, in order to help other people from making mistakes because fraud is illegal but being sleazy is not and stores who are merely sleazy need to be smacked.

Here are some guidelines:

• For devices with displays, ask for the resolution 800x480 (1024x600?  It depends on the price.) is not reasonable for a 7 inch display but 1280x800 should be the minimum.
• Dual-core processors can mean almost anything.  Intel Pentium Dual-Core, Celeron Dual-Core and AMD E- processors are the low end.  Look for Intel Core i3 or AMD A- processors at minimum.
• Computer monitors with IPS displays will look better than most.  What good is a monitor that doesn't display the scene correctly?
• Don't buy tablet bundles from HSN, QVC, or ShopNBC/ShopHQ.  You can do better by getting the accessories yourself, and you'll save money.
• Research what you want because you may find better deals in your town than the deals online.  You never know where to look unless you're prepared.  Micro Center, Big Lots, and Tuesday Morning often have good deals.  Ross, Marshalls,  and TJ Maxx sometimes have good deals, but use cash, not a card because they have all had problems with hackers.

When I lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, I could visit 4 different malls along the Blue Route/I-476, on Black Friday.  Sometime, I got great deals, and other times, I just got pizza and a drink.  There are times when it's better to window shop.

These days, I rarely go outside on Black Friday because it's so cold here and people are so crazy for deals that they'll trample or beat each other.  It's too important to be good to each other.  Stuff is just stuff.  You can't replace people.

Due to my water heater problems, I didn't go out on Thanksgiving or Black Friday.  (It's difficult to clean up properly without at least warm water.)  The plumber who was taking care of the water heater told me that he and his daughter went to the local Walmart last night (Thanksgiving Day) and they had many police officers there, and he spoke to one who said that it had been crazy.  I'm all for good deals, but seriously, are they that important?  I expect the news tonight will be full of tramplings and fights to get that cheap item.

I saw HSN and one of the other shopping channels charging an extra $300 for iPad Air and accessories in a bundle.   One of them was also attempting to sell a 4th generation iPod touch bundle.  That would be 2 generations from the current iPod touch models.  You can do better, especially by getting a refurbished product on the Apple Store web site.

News outlets keep reminding us that 30% is the magic discount where retailers can still make money.  That said, prices may reflect a bigger discount but that's because the retail price will shift to suit the circumstances on occasion (H.H. Gregg) or be set higher at the beginning (Best Buy).  You have to check a lot for deals.  Kohl's will present cardholders with a 30% coupon, so you end up with a virtual 70% discount, but they obviously can't afford to do that unless their prices are high enough to account for such a discount.  The doorbusters are the only products where any company is willing to lose money, to get you to buy other things.

iPad 2 (and new iPad now, plus Google Nexus 7 and iPad mini) Ripoff on QVC, HSN, ShopNBC

I was flipping through channels and noticed that QVC was selling an iPad 2 and accessories for a whopping US$709.95.  As a 16 GB WiFi-only iPad 2 runs US$399.99 now, that's a premium of US$309.96.  They'd better be amazing accessories for that much money.

I recently saw something similar from HSN.  It seems as though legitimate companies are taking advantage of people's ignorance in order to get some quick money.  I'm not really so surprised by HSN--they do pressure sales, but QVC has been laid back about people shopping beyond their means.

Sad, isn't it?  For a little more money, you could have two iPad 2 tablets.

Weird.  ShopNBC has added the New iPad (third generation) with accessories for a Today's Special Value of $849.  That's not much different than the other two, except that the iPad is $100 more and the price is for today only.  I shudder to think about the regular price.

Well, all 3 channels now have the third generation iPad, which retails for US$499.99, with all their overpriced accessories.  I can't imagine that the split payments are worth that much to buyers.

2012.08.19: HSN had iPad 3 available with some overpriced accessories for an additional $249, I believe, over the tablet price.  That's somewhat better and for HSN shoppers, they would split it into 18 monthly, finance-free payments, which could be considered good, since they said it was something like $41 or $51 per month.  I wasn't listening quite that intently because I was looking for other details.  HSN is funny selling electronics because the hosts have diarrhoea of the mouth and don't think.  She said something about it being "the best tablet Mac makes" and 30 seconds later said that it was "the best tablet iPad makes".  I think the producer finally got her to say "Apple" but I'm sure that she forgot another 5 minutes later.

2012.11.04: One of the three channels is still selling the older, third generation iPad as if it's the newest, with the same bundle price.  Actually, all three are probably doing it but I haven't spent much time in front of the TV to notice.  QVC is probably the one I've seen since they're generally the one most overpriced to pay for their great customer service and return policies.  Even getting the fourth generation iPad would be a rip-off at those prices, but they won't do that because they can't offer the new Lightning port chargers yet.  Even as they make it sound as though these models are the newest you can find, they've announced that their supply is limited.

2012.12.21: QVC apparently ran out of the third generation iPads, so they're including the newest generation in their bundle.  It seems it was an extra $300 but I didn't notice whether they had a charger or not, since there isn't a non-Apple legal charger for the fourth generation yet. 

2013.01.19: I'm not sure where I saw this one but they were charging $349 for a Google Nexus 7 tablet, when the tablet is normally $249.99.  They weren't offering a car charger, but a case (hard to find anyway, if it fits) and quite a few (probably free) apps for the extra money.  I'm sure they're not worth it, but for people who can't get to stores, it might be acceptable.

2013.02.19: QVC has added the iPad mini to its collection, charging something like $220 extra for their wonderful accessories. 

2013.12.03: ShopNBC has apparently changed their name to ShopHQ, but not their habits.  They've had a long history, if you include their time as ValueVision.  However, you have to be careful with all three of these channels.  QVC seems to be pushing much harder than in the past, even though they've been a part of Comcast for a while.  If ShopHQ is also under Comcast, due to the sale of parts of NBC, that would make for interesting confusion.   Due to my mum's obsession with home shopping channels, I learnt way too much about it, which makes it much safer to shop the channels.