Gun purchase a real deal breaker

Here's the deal.

Henry agreed he wouldn't shoot me, if I bought him a new N-Strike Longshot CS-6 Nerf gun.

There are no legally binding documents to confirm this agreement. It was a verbal covenant, sealed by a handshake in the toy department of a local store.

Would Henry be able to uphold his end of the bargain?

Maybe. Maybe not.

Speaking of bargains, there are a lot of them out there right now, including toy guns.

An AP business story this week reported that while the Great Recession is hurting a lot of people, it also is creating unheard of deals.

Everything from new cars to houses to Eggo waffles seems to be on sale.

"This is the new normal," said Donald Kepreta, president of Dominick's, a supermarket chain in the Midwest that cut prices as much as 30 percent on thousands of items.

Although I don't normally encourage unabashed consumerism, I think it would help all of us if people with money started spending it again. Even with the great deals, though, they have to be careful.

Here are a few recommendations for the wise shopper:

• Cars: Kick the tires twice and buy from a reputable dealer because while the Cash for Clunkers program has ended, the Clunkers for Cash program will always be around.

• Furniture: As long as there is furniture, there will be going-out-of-business sales. In case the legs fall off your new couch, you might be better off buying at a staying-in-business sale.

• Homes: If someone promotes a particular piece of real estate as needing a little TLC, it probably also needs a roof, new floors, new walls and a personal floatation device for the basement.

• Nerf guns: Don't trust children who promise not to shoot you if you buy them a new toy weapon with laser sights.

When I walked through the front door last week, I couldn't help but notice a red laser beam aimed at my torso. I glanced across the living room and spotted my giggling son hiding behind a bunker made of pillows and blankets.

Henry opened fire with a barrage of foam plastic projectiles. As it rained bullets I deployed my 007 defense shield, cleverly disguised as an umbrella, and repulsed the ambush. This is the beginning of a new arms race at our household.

It means a trip back to the toy department for an N-Strike Vulcan EBF-25 Nerf dart cannon.

Watch out, Henry!

I'm doing my part to help the ailing economy by purchasing superior firepower.

Executive Editor Scott Morris can be reached at 740-5721 or scott.morris@TimesDaily.com.