With the current condition of the economy, many holiday shoppers are opting to purchase the generic counterparts to many of the seasons top gift ideas. Many consumers realize the potential to gain a similar product for an inexpensive price and have taken advantage of that fact. For example, Sylvania has released an alternative to Apple’s iPad and Samsung’s Galaxy Tab in time for holiday shoppers to take advantage of the $149.99 price tag compared to the $499.99 price listed for the better known brands. Similarly, many companies have began to produce their own, more cost friendly version of Dr. Dre’s Beats noise canceling headphones. Many retailers are pricing the Beats at $299.99 or higher so many companies have taken advantage by appealing to consumers who aren’t easily influenced by brand name. Sony markets a similar set of noise canceling headphones for just $87.99. Freshman Dante Wheat is seen here with his Dr. Dre Beats headphones. Dante said he was willing to pay a little extra for the beats brand because when he tried them out in the store, they were “the best sounding headphones I had ever heard.”
Another technology device that has been popular with holiday shoppers are GPS systems. Garmin offers a GPS device for $239.99 but shoppers that don’t mind a slightly smaller screen, or having a few less features can find a GPS unit by TomTom for $89.99.
Manufacturers as well as retailers have become aware of the price sensitive holiday shoppers and have taken advantage by price-lining their items so customers may feel as if they are spending less by getting a similar item in functionality without paying for the name of the brand. These deals are great for consumers who enjoy today’s newest technology trends but prefer to spend a lower price. So this holiday season, remember that comparing the features of alternatives to the name brands and could help you save on your holiday shopping.
37 comments:
Electronic gifts have become more and more popular since IPods, mp3 players, xboxes, playstations, and wii's were invented. Each year a more amazing thing comes out, last year it was the Wii. This year it looks to be the new xbox game that detects your movement without any controllers. My parents bought me a wii last year so Im interested in what they buy to go with it this year. I think that online shopping is silly if you can physically do it yourself you should. It what makes the holidays special is getting out and seeing the Christmas spirit in action.
I agree, it isn't always necessarily worth paying an extra couple hundred dollars for basically the same device with the same functions. I know someone who got an IPed instead of the IPad and it looks and works very similar. Different brands are definitely not always worse!
-Bethany Davis
I think electronics are a very popular gift choice! It is a very good idea for companies to make similar products at a cheaper price, and i think it will work out well for them in the end. It is almost pointless to pay triple the price for something you can get cheaper that does the same thing.
When it comes to buying gifts for guys, electronics can be a great way to go! I think that as the blog showed, gsp systems are a very popular gift. I have actually given one as a gift before, and it worked out great. You have to be careful with prices though, because electronic's prices can be all over the board.
If you went shopping on Black Friday, you could find even better deals then the prices listed above. I know that my step-mom bought a GPS that was a Tom-Tom for on $56!! i think that the name brand items will still sell thought even in the economy today just because they have the brand labels on them.
I think electronics are a great idea! I also think that generic works just as well as the name brand. I would for sure buy the generic item over the name brand if it is going to save me money!!
I'm a big fan of electronic gifts. I've just always like getting some new device or appliance that is on the market. Recently I just picked up some Beats by Dre in ear buds for $35.
You all did an awesome job because this is so true. Every guy I know has somekind of video game he loves. And as for the girls, a GPS or a new iPod is something i'd love to have but may not buy myself, so definatley a big hit.
Meredith Gross
I would agree that if you can get something extremely similar and you don't care about the brand name, then go with the cheaper one! Companies have been doing this type of strategy for years, for example when the IPod first came out many stores then started selling MP3 players. This kind of thing has been successful in the past and I'm sure it will again this holiday season and in the future.
Technology is always a high selling present during the holidays. In my family we do buy the Apple brand, or the more "well-known brand." Maybe this year because of the pro lems in the economy my family will buy some of the off brand electronics. It's smart because there really is not that big of a difference in the product, it's just the name and price.
paige krall
I agree that electornics are a very popular gift during the Christmas time! Whether it is an Iphone, iphod, computer, or some sort of gaming councle...most people end up receiving one of these items for Christmas! I know that the iPad will also be very popular this season.
--Jordan Jenkins
Electronic gifts will always be incredibly popular. The technology keeps getting better and better, and because of that more lower priced alternatives keep coming out, which is awesome.
Lauren Brickey
These type of gifts are very popular this season! I loved how you guys gave us alternatives with the pricing!
I love how you all talk about cheaper alternatives. Being a college student, that is unemployed, it is hard for me to spend a lot of money on gifts. These ideas are great for those that still want to give good gifts, just on a tighter budget. I really want to get my dad the iPad for Christmas, but after reading this I will definitely check out some of its cheaper alternatives.
-Paige Hofmann
Electronics seem to always be a very popular Christmas gift! I have a younger brother and it seems that almost every year he is getting some kind of different electronic device as they are coming out with more and more various items each year. I think they will always be really popular gifts, and it was very informative to have the cheaper alternatives mentioned above! I know my family is always looking for bargains.
Erin McGee
I feel as if it is sometimes silly to buy name brand things when others that aren't as well known do the same thing. You really have to do your research when buying the alternative though and make sure you know what you are getting. Gadgets are always fun for the holidays!
-Jillian Dunaway
If I was to be giving someone electronics for Christmas, I usually would get up super early on Black Friday to buy them. To me, Black Friday is the time of the year to buy electronics for a cheaper price. If you are willing to pay for expensive brand name products, then you can probably buy it anytime because they usually do not go on sale ever. However, if you would like to settle for a lesser known brand, then Black Friday is the best time to get it.
I think electronics are a good idea for Christmas gifts and buying something that's not brand name seems to be a good decision around this time of year when you don't have much money to spend for everyone on your list. I have a TomTom GPS and I love it. This blog does a good job at showing items that are new this year for Christmas presents.
-Cortney Hockenbury
Electronic gifts are always a great choice for a gift. I actually asked for a new iPod for Christmas because my other one recently stopped working. Also the iPad would make an amazing gift for anyone because they are really neat. Even though this gadgets can be expensive, they are worth the investment for sure.
-Elena Jones
I went to Best Buy last night with my boyfriend and tried out the Dr. Dre Beats headphones. They were awesome. A little pricy but definitely worth it. I also think that Flip video camera's which now come in HD are awesome gifts for christmas and they are around 100$
what i love about some suppliers is that they try to produce a product that does the same thing for a lower price. for those who dont have as much as others its a great way to get more business.
-jannifer buchanan
I would have no idea where to start shopping if I needed electronic gifs this year. I know that as a consumer tho I'm always willing to spend more money on something if I'm getting a better product.
-Rebecca Ramos
Electronic gifts are becoming more and more popular every year. If you don't know what to get that special person you can't go wrong with some type of electronic. This year my family alone is getting Nintendo DSI, portable hard drives, cameras, and televisions and last year we had Ipods and more video games. Electronics are definatly the trends of the season.
It seems like there is some sort of technology out there for everyone these days so many shoppers will be buying these gifts for friends and family. Personally, I think some of the gifts, like the headphones, are way too expensive, along with several other electronic gifts. However, you can't deny how popular these gifts have become within the past few years.
Every year there seems to be the "must have" electronic Christmas present of the year. Whether its an XBOX, Wii, IPad, etc. every year people go crazy and are willing to pay ridiculous prices for the status of that name brand gift. But I have personally seen more and more people this holiday season buying the offbrand items or competing brands to save some money and still get the technology that their friend or relative wants.
I think the companies that are paying attention to this and acting on it are going to make a killing not only this holiday season but for various present giving events here to come until America is out of this recession. More people can afford the off-brand prices, stimulating more sales than the name brand companies are with the fewer people who can afford their item; in theory stimulating more revenue for the off-brand companies.
I am not very into the electronic Christmas gifts and never really have been. My brothers always want the newest Apple products and Xbox games. I have noticed several off brand items becoming popular lately. The off brand option is great for those who don't want to pay a ton for the electronic. Most people think that the more they pay the better the quality, but this is not always true.
-Olivia Rink
I definitely agree with the trends you guys posted in your blog post. I want all of these things and can't believe Christmas is coming up so soon!!
--Raegan Kuchar
Electronic gifts are always a good choice for a Christmas gift! Especially with the iPad and amazon Kindle coming out. I know I have never been in need of a GPS because i just use the one on my iPhone! It works great and gets me everywhere, plus I'm not wasting money on a GPS I don't need.
Elizabeth Griffith
I am a horrible electronics shopper, I never know what the cool new thing is. Sad to say I do go mostly by brands when it comes to electronics because I just don't know any better. Its great to know that there are cheaper alternatives to the brand name electronics. The brand name electronics are just to pricey for my christmas budget.
I am very glad to see a different side of the retail industry in this blog. Electronics are often one of the trickiest to find, buy, and compare because of their notably high prices, large range of selection, and different functions. I personally love the iPad because it's much faster than the iPed I tried. Granted, I don't really need either, I think I'll stick to Apple as it is a well-know, warrantied brand.
I think even though the economy is down, people will be more willing to spend more money for the holiday season. I think it's great that there are other brands for less, and I'm sure they are very similar, but I know personally I wouldn't mind spending a little extra to get the best one. I'm not very tech savvy so, I would probably end up buying the the wrong one anyway!
While it might be cheaper to buy other brands of electronics, sometimes it's smarter to go with the name brands because of the reliability. Electronics are so popular around the holidays because a lot of people would never spend that much money on themselves during the year. I can't wait to see what next year's "it" item is going to be!
My brother and Dad received a garmen as one of their Christmas gifts last year and love it! They are very handy when your car doesn't have a GPS system. I definitely agree to go with the name brand for reliability. It will be worth the extra money!
You can never go wrong with getting someone some kind of electronic device. This was a very informational post. I like how you gave price comparisons as well.
jessica Stockdale
i always love to see what "new" electronic is going to be out around the holidays. they are always such a cool good gift idea to give someone that you dont mind dishing out a few dollars for. and i do have to agree with them being a very popular gift to give someone.
-amanda birch
I know my Dad had asked for a GPS for christmas as well. I have heard that it is very popular this season. Especially now that my dad needs to travel 8 hours to see me, he will definitely need one of those!
-Kayla Sienkowski
It's always great to have an alternative for such high priced items to meet budgets and needs for everyone. I think retailers have dome a great job with this offering a variety of merchandise at different prices.
-Amber Olinger
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