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Archive through November 25, 2009

Reality TVClubHouse Discussions: General Discussions ARCHIVES: 2009 - 2: General Discussions: The only Dumb question is the one not asked (Q&A): Archive through November 25, 2009 users admin

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Kitt
Member

09-06-2000

Sunday, November 22, 2009 - 1:18 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Kitt a private message Print Post    
Ours just sells wine, beer, and whatever else comes in bottles and looks like beer but isn't. No spirits.

Happymom
Member

01-20-2003

Sunday, November 22, 2009 - 2:15 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Happymom a private message Print Post    
I think the scanning of Driv. Lic. may be due to legalities. Companies have to cover themselves against possible lawsuits.

Kitt
Member

09-06-2000

Sunday, November 22, 2009 - 2:27 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Kitt a private message Print Post    
It'd be nice if they would do what they do with the birthdate prompt: if the buyer is obviously old enough they just 6/6/66 the birthdate without asking you.

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Sunday, November 22, 2009 - 6:58 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Looking for advice here. I am pretty sure someone here might have a good idea. As some here may or may not know, the julieboo house is struggling financially, so that's why I am posing this question. In a typical year, trying to deal with black friday crowds was not worth the $$ saved. This year, however, since dh nor I have any stable income, we are prepared to deal with the early rising and crowds (well I am, and dh will stay home with the young uns.)

Finally, here is the question: what is the best way I can attempt to get two hot black friday deals that Walmart has.

Typically the BEST case scenario is to price match with Target. (as Target would likely not have the item on sale and therefore not have the crowds clamoring for the same items.) But Target has made several conditions, including not price matching on door busters or timed sales (ie 5am - 11am on Friday). And such is the case with the two items we are looking for. (which is the DS lite not DSi AND a portable DVD player-which I am so hoping is not too fragile for 2 kids to share in the backseat of a car.)

My first thought is to call a few walmarts and see which has the most DS lites and portable DVD players in stock. I actually tried that today. But only came up with the realization that the people who handle customers on the phone are not always the brightest bulbs in the bunch. One guy even asked me what a DS lite was. (AND yes, he answered the phone "Electronics.")

So, sorry for such a long drawn out question. Hope someone here has a great idea/plan for us. However, I am tending to think that there really is nothing other than luck that may work for us...

Thanks in advance!!

Kitt
Member

09-06-2000

Sunday, November 22, 2009 - 7:58 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Kitt a private message Print Post    
This is what I did for the Wii Fit at Target when they were only getting a few in. A couple of days before I went to the Electronics section, found a nice young man, and batted my eyelids at him. Seriously! I asked him when they were coming in (which of course you know), how many they're getting in, how quickly he thought they were going to sell out, where they would be in the store on the day, whether they were giving out tickets at the door to the first in line, and possibly some other things too. I was lucky in that he was excited about the Wii too, and knew the answers because of that.

But I would really go into the actual store, and see what information you can glean. If one person doesn't give you very helpful answers, go away for a few minutes and then find someone else. Someone should know the details. It's not going to guarantee you the product, but it should help. Good luck!

And if it all fails, there are news stories about big discounts staying around until Christmas, to encourage buying. They might not offer it at that price again but it might only be a few dollars more later on.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 2:00 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
I've got several guitar playing/musician friends I could ask this, but I know I'll get a biased answer (more expensive=better,) hoping to get some opinions that are more honest.

Caleb wants an electric guitar. I'm ok with buying one, if its not too pricey. This year he's taking guitar in class, next year in high school it won't be available (though we hope to get him a private teacher.) He loves playing, spends hours at it and learns songs on his own so it won't be a wasted investment.

But, he's also still learning and young, and after this school year won't be doing daily classes.

I saw a guitar on sale at guitar center for $79, comes with the electric guitar and case, and I'm wondering if that'd be a good buy for a first electric guitar. Is sound quality different for less expensive/more expensive electric guitars? Is a cheap one ok for a student? Don't want to spend money for a guitar that will be total crap, but right now I also don't want to spend several hundred or more when it's not neccessary.

Gumby
Member

08-14-2004

Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 3:00 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Gumby a private message Print Post    
Julie, I just checked with our local Gamestop (EBGames) they are going to have the DSlite for $89, my DH is good friends with the manager, and he said they are not advertising this price. It will be at this price from 7-11 am Friday. You might want to check with them if you have one around you. They may not tell you though. Good luck!

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 3:44 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Whoa!! Thanks Gumby!!! I am gonna call them right now!!

Twinkie
Member

09-24-2002

Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 4:59 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Twinkie a private message Print Post    
War, I think the $79 guitar and case would be perfect for Caleb. He can learn on it for a couple of years and then get a more expensive one if he's still into it. Don't forget that you will also need an amplifier to plug it into. That you can also get pretty cheap.

Beekindpleez
Member

07-18-2006

Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 5:04 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Beekindpleez a private message Print Post    
War...asked DH your question. Here's what he said:

I would take him along, let him play them and if you pay a little more, you'll get a LOT more. I would say spend twice that and get a decent guitar because you'll get such a better instrument, it's not even funny. If you could go $150 the difference is huge.
Fender makes a combo kit that has a guitar, amp, gig back, cable, tuner, instructional DVD, guitar stand and picks. Around $200.
Ibanez has all that plus headphones, also $200.
Either of those sets are good sets, not crap sets.



Good luck, War. Hope DH helped.
(If you want to tell him the make and model of the $79 guitar you saw, I'm sure he can give you some idea of it's quality for your needs)

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 5:32 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
hmmm, the GameStop by me is not doing the $89, but they are selling used ones for $59. Now that is something to consider.

Colordeagua
Member

10-25-2003

Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 5:35 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Colordeagua a private message Print Post    
Guitar Works is a well-known and well-respected guitar shop in the Chicago area. You could e-mail or call for info / opinions.

On a show (11:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.) early in December, Steve & Johnnie on WGN talk radio are going to have a call-in program with guys from Guitar Works. You could e-mail for the exact date. The station streams its programs.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 8:42 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Julie, our experience with gamestop, both new and used items has been awesome (and in this house we have a lot of experience with gamestop, lol!) 2 years ago when we wanted the Wii and had checked everywhere, Darren ran to Best Buy for their black Friday sale. Never even went in after seeing the crowd. He went to Radio Shack who was out of it, but the clerk told him to go to Gamestop, they had it on sale, unadvertised. He walked right into Gamestop, had a clerk come ask if he could help and when he told the guy he was looking for the Wii, guy went right and got it. When we wanted another controller and rechargable batteries, Gamestop always had it when everyone else was sold out. We've bought both new and used games from them many times, only had a problem with a game once (and it might even have been a new one, not used) and they made it super easy to exchange it.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 9:04 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
I would take him along Bee, but we're considering it for a Christmas present. We haven't been able to surprise Caleb with much of anything for several years and that would surprise him!

I wish we could spend more, but we have a tight budget for Christmas and $150-$200 for one present would kinda blow that. I'm almost tempted to wait til his birthday at the end of May when we can spend more money and more time looking at them. But if he gets it for Christmas, his music teacher will work with him on it before he heads off to high school and no longer has guitar class every day.

There's also another aspect...my step dad had several guitars (accoustic and electric) and when he died mom gave most away to his friends. She kept one electric guitar, which she gave to my sister. Once Caleb started playing, sis and bil decided they'd had grandpa's guitar down to Caleb, but they want to have it, er, refurbished? Now they can't really afford it, but sis is happy with the idea of him having a, uhm, starter electric guitar, before getting grandpa's.

Beekindpleez
Member

07-18-2006

Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 9:24 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Beekindpleez a private message Print Post    
War, then I think the one you saw would probably be a great starter guitar.
I'm excited for him! lol

Be sure to go to Guitar Center to get a discount coupon. I know there is some sort of Food Drive thing going on for a discount during November.


And there might be discounts here, too:
Link


Best of luck!! Fun Christmas, for sure.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 10:25 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Thanks Bee!

I've been meaning to check out our Guitar Center for a while since I found out one of step dads oldest buddies is working there (and doing guitar lessons.) Since getting his accoustic guitar last year, we haven't needed much except strings/picks and for that I can hit the music store down the street so haven't really had reason to go to Guitar Center.

So does hubby think there's a huge difference in sound between the cheap ones and the more moderately priced ones? Would it make a big difference in his playing if he starts out with a cheap one and works his way up to more expensive ones?

Beekindpleez
Member

07-18-2006

Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 11:37 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Beekindpleez a private message Print Post    
War...DH is asleep right now, but I'll ask him your questions tomorrow and get back to you.

I don't think it would make a big difference. I think he will be delighted to get the electric!

But I'll be sure to get back to you tomorrow.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 11:43 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Thank you Bee!

Beekindpleez
Member

07-18-2006

Wednesday, November 25, 2009 - 8:58 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Beekindpleez a private message Print Post    
War...talked to DH. He says there is not really a huge difference in sound. More in the action (which is why he suggested you take Caleb.) However, he totally gets the surprise factor, and says that it won't make any difference at all in his playing. Says Caleb will probably play many types of guitars over his guitar playing life :-)

DH says tell the salesman your story, because a lot of times they have in-store specials and that the salesman will help you and answer all your questions. Take your time, don't feel rushed. Just ask all your questions. They like to help.

ETA: One thing he suggested you ask is whether the guitar holds its tuning. Some guitars fall out of tune pretty easily and if Caleb hasn't yet mastered tuning, it could be a bit frustrating.

Hukdonreality
Member

09-29-2003

Wednesday, November 25, 2009 - 9:19 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Hukdonreality a private message Print Post    
Just wanted to stick in my ... the width of the neck of the guitar is something that only Caleb will be able to choose. If he has been playing a folk or acoustic guitar all this time, the neck of the electric guitar will be much more narrow. The necks also have different curves to the part that goes against the hand, and a more pointed one might bother him. Then there is the overall length of the neck. If it's longer than he's used to, he'll have to stretch his hand more to reach the notes. So...more than 2 cents worth, but ultimately, I don't think you can pick out a guitar for him. I'd give him a gift certificate and let him pick out his own.

Beekindpleez
Member

07-18-2006

Wednesday, November 25, 2009 - 9:29 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Beekindpleez a private message Print Post    
Hiya Nipper. Gee, it's nice to see your name around here again.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Wednesday, November 25, 2009 - 10:27 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Ack Huk'd, I didn't know that! I'm gonna end up spending a lot of time at Guitar Center, aren't I? Wonder if it'd help that my hands are the same size as his?

Bee, I give his teacher mad props about a lot, but one of the best about his is that he makes sure the kids know the fundamentals. He tests them on tuning once a month at least (after spending the first couple weeks on tuning/care/stringing/reading music) so all the kids know how to do it themselves by mid-year at least.

Taysmomcj
Member

03-24-2008

Wednesday, November 25, 2009 - 10:32 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Taysmomcj a private message Print Post    
I partially agree with Hukd. My husband also plays. We have gone through probably 11-12 guitars, just because they didn't have either the right feel to the neck or didn't stay in tune. He is finally happy with the one he has now (lets hope I didn't jinx it...getting tired of the 3 hour trips to the closest Guitar Center). However, he's been playing for 20+ years and is extremely picky about the feel and sound.

Since your son is just getting started, a starter kit would be perfect. The more expensive guitars can come later as he masters his talent.

Hukdonreality
Member

09-29-2003

Wednesday, November 25, 2009 - 10:40 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Hukdonreality a private message Print Post    
Ha ha, I'm not sure why you're only "partially" agreeing with me, but o.k.!

I'm a violist, and string players have similar situations with their instruments as guitar players. Move me to a 1/2" longer viola, and I can't stretch my hands that far. Move me down a 1/2", and I'm playing sharp all the time. So even the 1/2" can be so crucial, especially until Caleb's hands grow again. I did play the guitar years ago, but it uses different lower arm muscles while pressing on the strings, and it affected my viola playing, so I dumped it, lol

oops, ETA: No, your hand size doesn't correlate with Caleb's, sorry! It's about how far of a reach he has developed. My left hand (viola string hand) can stretch open nearly a full inch more than my right.

Twinkie
Member

09-24-2002

Wednesday, November 25, 2009 - 10:47 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Twinkie a private message Print Post    
I have to disagree with Huk. I've played in many bands and lived with many guitar players including my Dad. They can play any guitar you put in their hands. They may not like them all the same but they can play them. Don't give up on the surprise, War. Get him the cheap guitar for now and get a better one down the road. He's a beginner, not Jose Feliciano. LOL