Retailers Offer New Black Friday Deals in Last Gasp of Shopping Season

With only a few shopping days left in 2008, retailers have changed their approach to the day after Christmas. In addition to the standard holiday decoration sales and other holiday-related sale items, stores are now offering Black Friday-like incentives and door buster prizes. Some stores are even opening their doors at or before 6AM in hope that they can create a little buzz to help ease the blow of a weak year in consumer spending.

J.C. Penney opened its doors at 5:30 AM and even offered its online subscribers the option of a wake up call from the store. They also offered deep discounts on a range of products - not just extra holiday inventory. Prices were slashed on electronics, clothes and appliances as well.

This trend toward offering major sales and discounts is having an impact on the psyche of the American consumer - or at least it should be. Now, more than any time in recent history, the consumer is actually in a very strong position relative to that of the retailer. As the global financial crisis worsens, consumers with money to spend are becoming more difficult to find. If you are one of those people, you have the ability to negotiate favorable terms for any transaction you enter. This is not to say that you want to start haggling over prices at the register of a department store. But most sales people will be willing to discuss various incentive packages with you, especially on big ticket items. Maybe an incentive plan that applies to a different model appliance could be extended to cover the model that you want? Or maybe there could be an extended warranty included at no extra charge?

The possibilities are endless, and today is just another opportunity to see how far retailers are willing to go to earn your business.