Hey, guess what, if you don't like the new TSA screening procedures, you're EXTREME!

Or, at least, you're put on a list as a "domestic extremist" apparently.

"The Facts Behind 15 Black Friday Myths"

Something to keep in mind.

Number 4 is of particular interest to me. I was considering trying to make it to Target on Friday morning because of this, but now I'm a bit hesitant. This same thing is also available for pre-order on Amazon but at the normal bundle price, at least for now.

On the one hand, if there is a chance that Amazon will match Target's Black Friday price (especially given that it is Target.com/ITC that is selling the thing through Amazon anyway), then I'd just get it through that. On the other hand, if Amazon won't match that price, then there is absolutely zero reason to buy it through Amazon at all.

Either way, I'm not sure how badly I want a PSP. I do want one, but I don't know if I'm willing to either A) be at Target at 4am on Friday to get one or B) go later in the day at a more reasonable time but at the risk of there not being any left. Mostly, I just don't really want to have to make a special trip out to Target on Friday if I can avoid it, but I'm potentially willing to do so. If, however, I could get one through Amazon but at the price being offered by Target on Friday, then yeah, I'd be on that like white on rice.

For what it's worth, I've actually sent an email to Amazon directly asking them exactly this, though I don't know if I'll get a response before Friday, if I get one at all, given that tomorrow is Thanksgiving. We'll see, I guess. If I don't receive a(n affirmative) response by tomorrow evening, then I guess I will might be heading out to Target at some as of now still nebulous time Friday morning.

(EDIT)

Looks like I'm not the only one wondering about this.

(/EDIT)

(EDIT 2)

Got a response from Amazon already.

"Hello,

Amazon doesn’t offer a price match guarantee. We do spend considerable effort to ensure our prices are the lowest in the marketplace at any time. Because the marketplace is constantly changing and we strive to offer the lowest price, you’ll see some fluctuations in our prices over time.

We're searching for the best Black Friday deals everywhere--including deals other stores are planning--so we can meet or beat their prices and bring them to you even earlier. If we're able to meet or beat deals that other stores are offering, the price adjustment will be made on the website.

I'm sorry I don't have better news. We hope to see you again soon."

Mostly a noncommittal response, but a response nonetheless. They didn't say they would match the price, but didn't say they wouldn't either. Hmm. Kind of annoying, but about what I expected anyway.

Well, if they do lower it so that it's at least relatively close to the $130 range that everyone else is selling it for, even if it's still a bit higher, I'd still probably get it from them instead, just to avoid having to go out and deal with the crowds. If they don't lower it at all, then screw 'em. I'll be keeping an eye on it over the next couple of days, regardless.

Too late, already ordered it from Newegg (and for cheaper than I would have gotten it from either Amazon or the actual brick-and-mortar Target store on Friday, given state sales tax).

(/EDIT 2)

(EDIT 3)

And since I made the above edit, Amazon has indeed lowered the price to $127 now. Cool. Too late for me, but still cool.

...except, that it's apparently NOT eligible for Super Saver shipping? (Or the $0.99 release day shipping, but that's a bit more understandable, given that it is released in two days, one of which is Thanksgiving.) Well, screw that. I just plopped it into my cart on Amazon to see what the total would have been and, with cheapest available shipping plus tax, it would have come to $143.67. No thank you, Amazon. I'd have still opted to just go get it from Target on Friday, if I hadn't already ordered it from Newegg.

(/EDIT 3)

Or I can just order that PSP bundle RIGHT NOW from Newegg for $129.99

Yeah, I think I'll do that instead of waiting to see what Amazon does. *nods sagely* Ooh, also, "UPS Guaranteed 3 Day Service" for an additional $0.00 and on top of that, looks like a total of zero dollars in tax as well. I'd have ended up paying more for it at the actual physical Target store, even though it was $127 base price there, given I'd have had to pay state sales tax on it there (and also through ordering it from Amazon as well, since Amazon headquarters is in WA).

So yeah, looks like I'll have me a PSP by the time I go to NC for Christmas.

I might, however, go ahead and look and see what Amazon has in the way of additional PSP games, as the selection on Newegg seemed rather pitiful.

(EDIT)

In addition to getting the PSP bundle itself, I also got Dracula X Chronicles and Dissida Final Fantasy from Amazon. Even with that factored in, it still ends up being way less than it would have been to get one of the standard bundles, which is typically just the one game (whatever a particular bundle happens to be), I think. All in all, I think it was a pretty sweet deal overall.

(EDIT 2)

Especially since most of the other bundles (Metal Gear, God of War, Hannah Montana, Invisimals) have all been bumped up to $199 now as opposed to the $169 they were a couple days ago. o_O

Madden and MLB bundles are still (at least for now) $169, for what that's worth. >_>

(/EDIT 2)

(/EDIT)