Blog Archives for April 2013

JCPenney made news recently by announcing that it's bringing back sales — as well as the traditional high-low pricing strategy. As a result of this change though, several items now feature a significantly higher list price than they did just a few weeks ago. So where exactly are the deals?

Consumers' brand loyalty is declining at a steady pace. But can a mascot change that? "Oh yeah!" say the execs behind the new, more human Kool-Aid Man.

The dealnews Podcast Episode 255 is here! In this next-to-last episode, our panel of goofballs joke their way through a discussion about Facebook Home, Twitter #Music, and more!

Canon revolutionized the digital SLR market almost a decade ago with its release of the first DSLR priced under $1,000. Now, with the new EOS Rebel SL1, Canon has introduced the smallest and lightest DSLR on the market — a camera that will not only challenge other entry-level DSLRs, but will compete with some mirrorless models as well. But is it as consumer-friendly as it seems?

Boy meets girl. Boy courts girl. Boy gives girl a diamond ring, and they live happily ever after. Well, not always. Sometimes, the fairytale doesn't end so well, and someone is left with a valuable piece of jewelry filled with painful memories. Enter the diamond ring resale website I Do Now I Don't, which allows sellers to connect directly with buyers on a budget. In theory, all parties involved get a better deal than going the traditional retailer route — but how does it work?

For many people, eating healthy is more than a challenge of willpower. It's a matter of cost. But what if someone actually paid you to buy more nutritious food? Would you choose meals that are leaner and greener? Some health insurance companies are betting eating habits would change.

After decades of ringing up customers' purchases on cash registers, retailers are now turning to tablets to check out shoppers. But this new system may have some major drawbacks for customers who easily feel pressured to make purchases.

Mobile has come a long way since flip phones with LCD screens. Nowadays few can keep up with all the latest developments in mobile with the savviness and stamina of Sascha Segan. He is PC Mag's lead analyst for mobile, and one of the nation's top experts on mobile phones and tablets. We're privileged that he's shared the five gadgets that are part of his high-tech arsenal.

Merchants big and small go to significant lengths to make the world a better place on Earth Day. And Mother Nature isn't the only one reaping the rewards, as retailers are keen to give their customers free stuff too.

Kmart released a video online to publicize its new free shipping offer, and it's gone viral; 13 million viewers have enjoyed hearing excited customers suggestively shout "ship my pants" a bunch of times. But some people don't find it so amusing. What do you think?

Are you tired of reading rumors about the latest technology? Sick of hearing insane rumors about Apple, Xbox, Facebook, and more? Well, neither are we! Hooray! That's why we put all the latest biz-buzz from the internet into one place, the Rumor Roundup!

The trend towards offering a la carte flight services — with customers incrementally paying for everything from checked baggage to seat assignment and refreshments — has benefited the bottom line of many airlines. In some cases, this itemized approach has even offered passengers a wider array of relatively inexpensive flights. Yet, a number of industry experts believe that Samoa Air's "Fat Tax" pay-by-weight fee structure goes a step too far.

The dealnews Podcast Episode 254 is here! Counting down to our final episode, this third-to-last show features a Facebook Home hands-on plus discussions of Google's Inactive Account Manager, 4K Ultra HD TV prices, Facebook auto-play ads, and more!

Are you hankering for some Android gaming action on your HDTV? The OUYA debuts June 4, priced at $100, but based on preliminary reviews, you should hold off on investing in this first-gen console.

Although it's not unusual to see quick discounts on new tech, Seiki's new 50" 4K TV is selling for 76% less than Sony's base 55" Ultra HD model, which costs $5,000! Though the technology is in its infancy, the Seiki 50" set is a promising sign that 4K tech could become a relatively affordable option for budget-conscious buyers.

Shopping for kids' clothes can seem overwhelming, for you and your budget. But here are a few tips for buying children's clothing that can help you save money and stay ahead of growth spurts!

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of Friday Night Lights, Buzz Bissinger has spent more than $600,000 on clothes, and has bought 81 leather jackets in the past few years alone — one of them cost $22,500. Surely Bissinger could use some remedial education from the dealnews crew in Bargain Shopping 101, but he's not alone. Buzz joins the ranks of some pretty notorious celebrity over-consumers.

Thinking of buying an Xbox 360, Apple TV, Roku, or OUYA? Well, don't do it. At least not until you've read what we have to say about where Xbox 360 prices are going! You'll be glad you did.

The HTC First smartphone is, fittingly, the first phone to ship with Facebook Home, an Android skin that turns your homescreen into a social media feed. But since Facebook Home is available for a variety of other Android phones as well, is there reason to buy the First? Well, for one, it's cheaper than most of the pack.

Are you tired of reading rumors about the latest technology? Sick of hearing insane rumors about Apple, Xbox, Google, and more? Well, neither are we! Hooray! That's why we put all the latest biz-buzz from the internet into one place, the Rumor Roundup!

You might have been hearing a lot about the value of Bitcoins recently, and if you're like us, you might be thinking: What the heck is this thing, and why does everyone seem to care so much? As it turns out, it's an alternative currency that you should be hesitant to invest in.

The Internet is obsessed with rumors of Google's new Nexus 7. And while we love the idea of a possible $99 starting price, this could also mean we'll see little-to-no deals on Google's next tablet. Are Android tablets ready to join the digital camera and Blu-ray player in the land of bottomed-out gadgets?

The dealnews Podcast Episode 253 is here! Counting down to our final episode, this fourth-to-last show covers Facebook Home, Google buying WhatsApp, new Xbox rumors, and more!

Last week, T-Mobile announced it will carry the iPhone 5 and permanently do away with yearly contracts. The wireless carrier's "un-leashed" contract-free plans make it the first major U.S. carrier to offer the iPhone 5 with no annual service contract. So what's in store for customers who choose to take the seemingly budget-friendly and non-binding leap? Here's a look at the cost and caveats to signing up contract-free with T-Mobile.

Amazon and Google are not the first tech conglomerates to duke it out, but the search engine and eCommerce giant have notably ventured far beyond their original services. From online shopping to hardware and cloud computing, these two powerhouses now compete head-to-head in a variety of markets — often to the consumer's benefit.

This month, dealnews is celebrating a milestone: We're turning 16! Since we're a shopping site with a penchant for tech and other nerdy things, we decided to reflect on the most earth-shattering product releases from the last 16 years, that have also drastically changed in value since their inception. From Blu-ray players that originally cost $1,000, to annoying toys that inexplicably doubled in price since their advent, here are the 16 craziest price milestones in the history of dealnews.

If death and taxes represent two of life's certainties, then articles about taxes in the days leading up to April 15 come in a close third. And in this one, we've crunched the tax day numbers with enough exactitude to make your accountant jealous. Better yet, you don't need a sharp pencil or calculator to make sense of the facts and figures — past and present — that surround Uncle Sam's mandate.

Yesterday, we posted an amazing deal on a 2012 LG HDTV that dropped an astounding $290 over the course of just four days. For some consumers though, there was a catch: it was only available for pickup from a retailer with limited store locations. But would you be willing to take a trip for an awesome deal?

Did you know that dealnews has an office in Ireland? That's right, and this week we're hijacking the travel feature to tell you about some amazing travel deals we found on our side of the pond and across Europe. We'll take you on a tour of our own fair isle of Ireland and then on to Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Greece. Grab your passport and your camera, you won't want to forget anything on this vacation!

Windows 8 isn't doing so hot. The touch-based operating system hasn't been popular with consumers, and as a result, Microsoft is now discounting manufacturer licenses for the OS. So what do you get when you mix these discounts with low adoption rates from the public? Insanely good laptop deals, that's what!

The dealnews Podcast Episode 252 is here! Press play and be swept away by our relaxing consumer news comedy podcast. In this episode, we announce some bad news. Plus: Celebrities who are getting Google Glass, Walmart making customers deliver to other customers, Google's same-day delivery service, Amazon and Apple reselling digital goods, and more!

Two recent conundrums involving digital comic books shed light on growing problems in the comic book industry. Are comic book companies really ready for the digital age?

dealnews discovered last month that Apple was apparently selling refurbished goods for less via a mysterious eBay store. Apple-philes were thrilled, but it now seems that this eBay experiment is no longer.

The market for miniature flash drive-sized Android PCs is really taking off, and these devices are growing more powerful with each new release. For about $50, these petite computers plug directly into your HDTV, and provide web connectivity while also acting as a game console, workstation, and set top box that can stream movies, TV shows, and music.