Traditionalists might balk, but the holiday shopping season is already underway. Skeptical? Head to your local department store and you'll be inundated by Christmas trees and ornaments. Bargain hunters, though, know that the real deals are more than a month away.
Black Friday, traditionally, is when retailers truly slash prices. Early birds can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars off of their holiday bills. Switched.com checked with a few elves, who gave a sneak peek at what you can expect deal-wise this year.
Blu-ray Players and Movies: Blu-ray is shaping up to be the biggest door buster of this year's Black Friday. de Grandpre expects at least one retailer will offer a Blu-ray player for just $49. Look for bargains on Blu-ray films as well, with last year's hit titles (such as "Iron Man") to fall as low as $5.
Laptops: With the proliferation of Netbooks this year, it's never been easier to find affordable portable computing, but Dan de Grandpre, CEO of DealNews.com says it will get even cheaper on Black Friday. Look for well-equipped Netbooks to sell for $199 – and basic 15" laptops to go for as little as $249.
HDTVs (Pretty big): The holidays are typically the best time to buy a new TV – and Black Friday is the time to do it. If you're looking for a normal sized set, you're in luck. Piper Jaffrey analyst Mitch Kaiser says he expects to see 32-inch LCD sets for as low as $299. GottaDeal.com is estimating 37-inch plasma and LCD sets will fall to $399 or less.
HDTVs (Really big): Need something bigger? How about a 46-47 inch LCD set for $599 – a 25 percent savings? Or a 52-inch LCD for $999? Dealnews says you can expect both. Plasma deals will be a little harder to come by, but a 50-inch set should run roughly $899.
HD Camcorders: You've wanted to shoot your child's school play in HD for a while, but haven't been able to spring for the pricey camcorder. This might be the year. Low-end, flash-based 720p models could drop as low as $60 (though you won't be able to zoom with those). Expect a high quality 1080p HD camcorder for $349.
GPS: While navigation systems have dramatically expanded their reach this year – even making it onto the iPhone – there's still a market for car-based systems. Dealnews predicts you'll be able to find a no-name entry-level system for $49, while a Garmin or Tom-Tom brand will be as low as $69.
Digital Picture Frames: Showcasing your digital pictures consistently gets cheaper. This year, skip the 7-inch screens and focus on the 8- or 9-inch ones, which should be available on Black Friday for as little as $30.
Monitors: Computer monitors might not be the sexiest of gifts, but they're usually welcomed with open arms – and they'll be cheap this year. Name brand 22-inch LCD models may go for as low as $99, while 24-inch models will drop below $150.
Memory: Don't know anyone who needs a monitor? External hard drives are always popular, since they're an easy way to back-up data. Dealnews expects a 1TB drive to fall as low as $49 this year. Gottadeal is looking for 8GB flash drives to hit $15.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
ty said 1:06AM on 11-09-2008
example folder or already to go file
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kathy said 11:57AM on 11-08-2008
Do Not fall for this!!! I got charged without my permission on my credit card for 8 months. This place should be reported as a fraud scam. Leave Vista alone!!!
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ash said 3:52PM on 11-08-2008
they charged my credit card twice..and i still didn't get a refund. their customer service sucks. no e mail contact ..only by phone..held me almost 1 hour..and they just cancel my id first so now it's really hard to get the refund.
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Steph said 9:03PM on 11-08-2008
Oh I love Vistaprint! I have done so many free postcards (works great for sharing photos because you get 100 free and they are glossy!
the business cards are great and it is easy to design and order,
if you want to save on groceries and everday items here is a great site for FREE coupons you can print out and take to the store instantly without having to buy the sunday paper for coupon inserts, and you only print the ones you want! I love being able to save money! http://www.iluvdeals.blogspot.com
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component25 said 2:04PM on 5-03-2007
Liers Liers MF Liers
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Ellen said 5:06PM on 5-03-2007
You can get the business cards for that price but watch your credit card because there will be a charge on there for something you didn't order and you will keep being charged until you call them and have them stop it. The charge is usually around $20 a month.
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Melissa said 11:22AM on 5-04-2007
Actually, I have had a wonderful experince with VistaPrint. Yes, their logo and web address is on the back of the card- but you can pay more for ad free cards.
Actually, doing alot of not-for-profit and small business consulting myself, doesn't exactly turn people off- I am usually complemented on my card, the 100-pound, super-premium stock paper has great hand feel, and the colors are rich. When I tell them I got it free, they ask how, and I say turn the card over. I actually have discovered quite a few that went ahead and ordered their own- and have had very similar feedback.
Also, I handed my card to interviewers before I was hired, and to my suprise, each had kept my car- some in their rolodex, some in their planners- and my new boss pinned it to her wall! She told me having my home contact information in such a thoughtful format was one of the most professional touches she had seen in an interviewee in a long time.
I have also ordered other products from them, and they have always been great. Emails with specials do come frequently, but I delete them until I am ready for another order.
IMHO- Vista is highly recommended!
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laurel said 6:36PM on 5-10-2007
I love Vistaprint. I have ordered numerous items from them and the quality is superb. The only thing I have paid for is shipping on most items. I have gotten everything from magnets to postcards to business cards. They are great!
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Lynn said 6:43PM on 5-10-2007
I have gotten a lot of "free" products from VistaPrint, and the quality is good, although you have to pay $9.99 for a glossy finish on your cards, which is nice to have. But free ain't free. Postage and processing are VERY expensive. A "free" small pad of 50 sheets, which they sell at $7.99, you can get for "free," but you will pay more than $4.00 for processing and shipping. And the pad's not worth even that. Further, once you place an order, you will get bombarded with emails for more "free" and discount offers. The quality of the products is high, and I still get my holiday picture cards from them every year. However, last year AFTER I ordered my cards I got a half-price offer for the cards. That made me mad.
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April Heath said 7:32PM on 5-10-2007
I recently used Vistaprint to order some personal magnets announcing our new address. I was impressed with the quality and although I paid for the magnets I received some free sticky notes as well. The prices are not bad even if you don't want the free stuff.
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Chris said 5:17PM on 5-17-2007
I love Vistaprint. I have gotten everything from business cards to pre inked address stampers and the shipping is less than what I would have paid elsewhere for the products.. I even got magnets that I used as save the date cards for my wedding. I wouldn't hesitate to use them for any of my printing needs.
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Rita said 7:06AM on 5-17-2007
I had Vistaprint do free business cards for me several years ago - I used them to attach to queries. It is easier for the recepient to keep than the entire letter.
Based on my positive experiences with them I have purchased other items - most recently calendars with my personal photos featured on a monthly layout ... compliments came from every recepient - even the professionals.
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Veronica said 7:03AM on 5-17-2007
I have gotten quite a few things from VistaPrint and I have never had any charges other than for what I got. The quality of their work is better than some of the more "professional" companies. I have recommended them quite a few times and each person I refer to it loves them.
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Lar said 7:27AM on 5-17-2007
I used Vista for the "free" cards and paid for the express shipping. After several phone calls and emails, and nearly 3 weeks, I received a pathetic looking excuse for a business card. I ordered an off-white color and but received a ridiculous shade of yellow with the print very blurry. I had to throw them in the trash and buy more local. Vista's customer service is one of the worst I've seen. I would strongly recommend buying local or from ANYONE else on the web.
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CaroDee said 7:30AM on 5-17-2007
MUST you publish obscenities just because they are "Readers Comments"?
I think you're NOT obligated to do so.
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Bolt said 8:08AM on 5-17-2007
Best Free Stuff on the Internet, CHECK THIS OUT!!http://www.gofish.com/
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Adam said 11:12AM on 5-18-2007
Hi i found other sites that have good deals and offer some things for free.
Go to www.JustFor5.com
Every item is $5.00 and under....Some things are even free.
Go to
wwww.JustFor5.com
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All things geek said 9:51AM on 5-17-2007
My brother ordered these cards a year or so ago. The quality was great - and yes - there was a logo on the back, but he was very happy with them.
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Jason said 9:51AM on 5-17-2007
I have been a long time customer of Vista Print. They send emails at least once a week offering discounted & free items, all you have to do is pay the Shipping charge. The majority of business cards I buy are from the free offers. There is no monthly free like the user at the top stated. I love Vista Print. They do an amazing job. Thanks.
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njflick said 8:37PM on 5-17-2007
I bought business cards from VistaPrint 2 years ago. They looked great but then I found a charge for $79.99 on my debit card for a service I'd never heard of, and that originated from VistaPrint. After I called, it was removed promptly, but not before my bank account overdrew several times over! Although they have great free offers, I've never reordered from VistaPrint for fear this will happen again!
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