Behind Your Business

If you shelled out hundreds of dollars for a new GPS navigation device a couple of years ago, it may drive you crazy to see what they're selling for on Black Friday. In response to changes in the market, portable navigation devices (PNDs) will go for as little as $59 for a TomTom at Wal-Mart and $99 for a Garmin at Best Buy. Radio Shack lists the Mio M400 for $79.99. Those are bound to be hot tickets when stores open Friday.

"Typically, doorbuster deals tend to be loss leaders designed to attract store traffic," said Steve Koenig, director of industry analysis for the Consumer Electronics Association in Arlington, Va. "The idea being to get you to the store to buy other merchandise."

Supplies Limited

But don't be surprised if the shelves empty quickly.

"This year in particular, while we are seeing the regular raft of deals, there are very limited quantities on hand," Koenig said. "The sales channel is being very conservative because of the recession. They want to estimate demand and not get stuck with inventory after the holiday season. They need to clear merchandise and turn over the shelves to next year's models that will be shipping soon."

"That being said, there is an abundance of deals that are really highlighted over the Black Friday weekend," he said.

Initially a hot item as drivers grabbed up the chatty devices to avoid fumbling with maps or printing directions from Google or MapQuest, GPS sales doubled from 2005 to 2006. But the devices, which use technology formerly available only to the military, have sold much slower in subsequent years.

The PNDs are facing stiff competition from factory-installed units and the increasing availability of navigation services on cell phones, such as Verizon's VZ Navigator and AT&T's Navigator. The Verizon service costs $2.99 per one-day use or $9.99...