Get the best deal on a new fridge and don't leave your house!

I wanted to pass along this tip after purchasing a new fridge but you could use this strategy on any appliance. Here's how I did it:

1. Once you've narrowed it down to the model you want and if you know all the exact specifications I'd recommend shopping via phone.
2. My script went something like this "Hello salesperson X, I'm Y and I'm looking to purchase a refrigerator before the end of the day I was wondering if you were interesting in the opportunity to earn my business.
   
3. Then I'd detail exactly what I was looking to purchase: Brand, Model #, the colour/metal, size in cubic feet, right-hand or left-hand hinge for the door.
4. I'd get the salesperson to provide a quote for the Fridge, Delivery and then I'd go over the taxes on each and have them agree with my final "all-in" price. Next check to see whether they have it in stock and when you'd get delivery.

Overall this was a great experience I ended up at the typical 20% range off MRSP (discounts you can expect range from 20 to 25% depending on time of year, brand and model). Best of all I didn't have to leave home - saved the gas and frustration of driving all over the city. Given the price of gas and the time involved my bidding process took a total of one hour and got to an end result much faster. Yes there may be those that say face to face, belly to belly haggling with a salesperson might yield a greater discount but as with all things in life there is a cost. I think that this is likely the most efficient method and got me the near lowest cost given that we were only buying a single appliance and couldn't piggy-back an order together with family or friends.

US says bye bye to analog TV and hello to digital

Those owners of older TVs without a digital tuner and lacking cable are about to be cut off on February 18, 2009 when the U.S. changes the rules regarding over the air broadcast TV signal from analog to digital. As part of the change over the U.S. government is handing out $40 coupons for the purchase of a set-top box that will enable older analog TV's to continue to receive a signal via an antenna.

• The official government site with details and the form to apply for a rebate coupon.
• Here is a CNN article on the switch over.
• A number of countries are still in the process of trying to switch off analog TV signals see this report to the Canadian CRTC
  

"Comeback" by Richard Stark - Book Review

If you want a great book and you like reading thrillers Comeback by Richard Stark is the book for you. In the same style as Pulp Fiction, this novel isn't so much a mystery as an adventure novel that follows a career criminal named Parker who is enlisted to help in an unusual heist. While the objective in this case is to make off with a substantial haul (in excess of $400,000) the twist is that they are going to be knocking over a live event held by a tele-vangelist with the help of an insider and two partners. It doesn't take long for things to start going sideways on this job as the insider gets cold feet and needs to be convinced to help complete the heist. After the heist the plan is moving along until one of the partners decides to double cross his partners in hopes of making off with the haul. Once this turn occurs Comeback really starts to heat up as Parker needs to getaway with his remaining partner and they start to hunt down the turn coat. Without recounting the entire story line this book has a hefty dose of twists and turns as Parker goes all out to escape from this heist with his freedom and the loot. I'm hooked and will be definitely be looking up other novels in the Parker series.