Monday, November 26, 2012
Patch is looking for experts who can talk electronics and share their expertise this week.
It's the season of giving and chances are, you probably have some fancy technology to cross off your holiday shopping lists. Patch wants to help find the answers to all your questions about Blue-ray players, iPads, smartphones and television sets, but we need a little help. In the latest edition of "Ask the Patch Pro" we need local experts who can answer readers' questions and offer advice. If you are a local techie or consider yourself an expert and can answer these questions and more, let us know two ways. One: You can leave a comment on this post. Two: You can send an email to jordan.lanham@patch.com. We need experts to answer questions on Thursday, Nov. 29. Curious as to what we are looking for? Take a look at some of our previous …
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday rule the shopping roost after Thanksgiving.
If you have a black belt in Black Friday shopping, listen up: area big-box retailers are gearing up to dazzle bargain hunters even earlier this year — starting on Thanksgiving Day! Walmart announced that it would open its doors at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 22 and offer holiday doorbusters while supplies last. These include deals on TVs, iPads, an electric scooter for $79 and a steam mop for $39. Not to be outdone, Target and Best Buy are also planning all-out holiday shopping assaults. Target's deals begin at 9 p.m. According to an ad leaked online, the best deals will be for TVs, a Nook, a Nikon camera and an XBOX 360 Kinect bundle. At Best Buy, doors open at midnight. Doorbusters include deals on TVs, phones and Samsung laptop bundles. …
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
The majority of smaller stores and Macy's will open at midnight. The mall's other major retailers will open early Friday morning.
More than 40 stores at South County Center will open at midnight on Black Friday, Nov. 23. The mall's other stores will open between 3 and 8 a.m. Here's a look at South County Center stores that will open at midnight on Black Friday: Dillards opens at 8 a.m., JCPenney opens at 6 am., Macy's opens at midnight and Sears opens at 4 a.m. For more details, find the Black Friday schedule for South County Center online.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Yes, it's still a little early to think about Christmas shopping. I understand. But it's coming up soon. And we all know that one person who is extremely hard to buy for. What do you do?
I will make no apology for this edition of our weekly "Conversation Starter." I'm selfishly motivated by the need for your help. And I don't care that Halloween is still three days away. Or that Christmas is still nearly two months off. We need all the time we can get. See, here's the problem: My father is in his early 70s; my father-in-law is in his early 80s. If anything, they're trying to get rid of things. What do you buy for the hard-to-buy-for? What do you do to make the Christmas merry for the folks who seem to have everything, don't need anything or who won't let themselves get pinned down? Here's another stumper for you: My son is 17. He's a drama kid, a singer, a World of Warcraft fanatic. He is every bit as hard to buy for as my…
Saturday, November 26, 2011
A budget, research and comparison shopping will keep gift purchases affordable, the BBB says.
Consumers may feel more pressure to buy early and often this year, said the Better Business Bureau of the St. Louis area in a news release. But smart buyers who research set purchasing limits and compare prices will make smarter and more effective use of their time. "Some Black Friday deals may look good on the surface, but quantities may be extremely limited or the size of the discount greatly exaggerated," said Michelle L. Corey, BBB President and CEO. "By checking prices at several retailers and reading advertisements carefully, consumers can make an educated decision on whether it's worthwhile to stand in line or miss a good night's sleep." Buyers should obtain and keep receipts for all purchases in case the items must be returned. …
Joe Balsarotti
12:33 pm on Thursday, November 29, 2012
Joe Balsarotti, has over 30 years of computer industry experience, reaching back to the days of the Apple II. His career began at the age of 15, when he was already being paid as a computer consultant. At 16, he began work at Computer Country, the local computer chain where within two years he was installing school computer labs throughout the region. While attending College in the morning, Joe … more ›