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)
Will said 4:10PM on 5-10-2007
that is so ridiculus....no one would read the websites and no one would care.
it's just for people too scared to actually come out and say what they saw...
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Judy said 4:45PM on 5-10-2007
As a nanny, I can tell you that "tattle on the parents" would be a better website. The irony is that most incidents occurring with the nanny is due to parents failure to properly check the nanny. Often nanny's are overworked (most work 60+ hours per week) and underappreciated. They are also having to deal with children whom parents have spoiled with lack of discipline or boundaries. We should not hold a nanny to higher standards than we do parents. Sadly, parents who are neglectful get "off" where a nanny or babysitter gets prison time for the same offense. Please make sure to report ANY child abuse (by nanny, parent, or any caregiver) but make sure you have your facts correct first.
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dan said 7:50PM on 5-10-2007
although i hate litter bugs and bad drivers i would never use a reporting site like this because in time the police and other government agencies will get ahold of the info submitted and use it against innocent people. the nut case who took over iran after the shah was disposed, had a program much like this, i like to call it "narc on your neighbor". this enabled many people to get rid of those they didn't like.not because they were doing anything wrong. one woman turned in her husband because divorce wasn't an option in that culture. there's far too much chance for abuse of the innocent.
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bAdmArk said 5:48PM on 5-10-2007
Will: Obvioulsy the site isn't ridiculous with all the members frequency. Some people would rather avoid a face to face confrontation yet still have a cathartic mechanism to expel their frustrations, PlateWire offers them just that.
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Aaron said 5:11PM on 5-10-2007
Sounds like "1984" to me.
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Robin said 6:31PM on 5-10-2007
Well, this is how it starts folks... I don't mind having child abusers listed, but Hitler had people telling on people, then neighbors and then family member, parents, friends, etc.
Don't be so foolish that you don't think that their is an agenda here.... be careful. ...R
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mr big said 5:25PM on 5-10-2007
It sounds like its part of the "patriot" act. Just keep in mind - big brother is watching you. (1984 is so 1984!)
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Oscar Betournay said 6:25PM on 5-11-2007
Michel (Skeeter) L. Wyckoff living in Georgia, formerly of Elgin, South Carolina is a deadbeat dad. He is currently $10,000 plus behind in child support. The only time he pays any is when he is about to be taken to court in Camden, SC. and then he pays just enough to keep his butt out of jail. The system does not pressure deadbeat dads and so they just keep sliding by.
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doc said 5:51PM on 5-10-2007
people who snitch suck, ok?
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Bob Posdal said 5:58PM on 5-10-2007
Be careful!! I would have reported this "able bodied" lady for using a handicap spot. No limp, good mobility etc. But then I noticed that "that" wasn't a purse--it was a portable oxygen generator she was carrying. The nasal tube was almost invisible behind her hair. Be careful.
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BobB said 6:09PM on 5-10-2007
I feel that the pro gang rap music and the "don't snitch" threat message is a real problem. Good people who see bad things happen should be able to report it without fear or retaliation. This site could be that if identies are kept secret.
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b.a loustaunau said 6:12PM on 5-10-2007
In response to comments about so called dead beat dads I am origionally from california where exactly every three months some private corporation puts a lien on my bank account each time they do so it costs me $100.00.now in anyones opinion is this fair to me when i have a legally binding court order signed by a judge in sacramento ca.yet everytime i try to provide this corporation with a copy of this court order they say no thank you.I pay over $500.00 a month in support which is taken by welfare to pay back the grant that is paid out to my ex-wife every month because she always has an excuse for not seeking out or having a job.now you tell me again who is the dead beat! MR.Oscar Betournay
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Julie Newman said 6:39PM on 5-10-2007
My son pays 300 a month and I think its unfair because his ex got everything,their business ( she makes more than enough to live on,for her and 10 kids let alone just one)She got the business,home,all the furniture,and child support too??? She sold all his tools,air compresser,air tools etc etc Tell me where there is any justice here? She owes me money for the home I loaned money to them to buy,which she sold after the divorce and didn't pay me back the loan. Noone will do a thing about it.
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Saffy said 6:35PM on 5-10-2007
"doc says:
people who snitch suck, ok?"
I have an odd feeling, that Doc is on ONE or more of the above mentioned lists...
roflmfao
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drtfis said 6:48PM on 5-10-2007
get a life u morons this is what our country has come to spying on each other get a life u nit wits big brother we don t live in a free country no more and don t blame on the towelheads cause if we live like this then they win
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JUDY said 7:30PM on 5-10-2007
I wonder why men who are paying child support think that they are paying their ex wives? IT IS CHILD SUPPORT> The guy complaining that his ex isn't working is not paying 500 a month for her this is the amount of money the judge ordered him to pay for the kids. NOT his ex LOL.
I think a site like this is good for people to spout off about injustices immaginary or real without having a confrontation with some one and get hurt. Bad drivers abusive parents or nannies
..let them have the site and let them spout off and keep out of trouble.
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Molly said 6:52PM on 5-10-2007
I agree with Robin.
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john said 7:00PM on 5-10-2007
Remember when you point the finger at someone there is three pointing back at you so make sure that your backyard is clean before you start pointing the finger.
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Becky said 11:22PM on 7-13-2008
Big Brother is most definitely here! We should be worried about things that are really important-not policeing each other over parking spots!
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Floyd said 7:11PM on 5-10-2007
I also agree with Robin. We had best be careful what we allow in the U.S. If you want to read something that Australia is doing, that we had best think about in the U.S. then go to this site. It is a valid site and worth your while.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/australia.asp
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