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.
The quarterly number of Netflix subscribers has gone down for the first time since the online DVD rental company's inception. Though the 6.8 to 6.74 million drop was small, it was enough to push the stock price down 16 percent yesterday from 6.8 to 6.74 million -- egged on, no doubt, by the recent $1 price drop in Netflix's most expensive plans.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
bplee41 said 4:45PM on 10-31-2009
Please discontinue membership at netfflick. I cancelled and it did not stop. Please do not use my card again.
Thank You,
Barbara lee
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WMass said 11:41AM on 7-24-2007
Blockbuster holds an advantage with all their stores but I stick with Netflix because they are directly responsible for breaking Blockbuster's stranglehold and forcing them to totally change their ways at great benefit to consumers. Everyone should appreciate that fact, no matter which company gets your business.
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cuteburger said 5:49PM on 8-08-2007
I choose Netflix because they did not sell out to SZony. They carry both HD DVD abd Blu-Ray.
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Jane said 12:46PM on 7-24-2007
I LOVE NETFLIX !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish I would not have waited so long to start up. I highly recommend it!
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stephen said 12:47PM on 7-24-2007
I prefer Netflix because I feel that they have more of a selection available. Especially under the Gay/Lesbian genre.
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Don said 1:01PM on 7-24-2007
I like Netflix. I get movies through the mail
quicker than Blockbuster. Takes two days
compared to 5 days through Blockbuster. Plus,
I can watch previews of movies with Netflix.
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RL said 1:41PM on 7-24-2007
Blockbuster all the way!!! You actually get extra movies with them. Especially when you have a 2 movie plan...you can wind up with 5 for the month....you get 2 from your query,then 2 when you return them to the store and you get one from the online coupon....all for under $6 now that's a bargin!!
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Bob said 9:43PM on 11-07-2007
"I prefer Netflix because I feel that they have more of a selection available. Especially under the Gay/Lesbian genre."
Thanks for the warning, Stephen. I'll avoid Netflix for the same reason you chose them. America, land of the free; thank God!
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Barbara said 8:08AM on 7-28-2007
I've been using Netflix for several years now, and they've gone through good and bad periods of customer service. They are next to impossible to get hold of by phone, which is frustrating when you're stuck with the effects of one of their bad customer service policies (think throttling). For instance, if they send a broken/unplayable DVD, they won't replace it until they get a returned DVD. I'll be getting a high def TV soon, and will get tivo at that time. Then Netflix gets dropped.
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TEHRON said 2:32PM on 7-29-2007
COME ON BOB!! ITS AN ONLINE STORE! YOU WONT EVEN SEE THE GUY! LOL!
NOW THATS REAL HOMO-PHOBIA :)
THAT ASIDE..
NETFLIX IS GREAT! MAY IT LIVE LONG AND PROSPER.
"BALLBUSTER" STORES HAVE BEEN GOUGING FOR A LONG TIME NOW AND LIKE MANY OF THESE BIG COMPANIES, THEY NEEDED A WAKE UP CALL, NOW, THEY WANT TO PLAY FAIR TO THE CONSUMER.
THERES A LESSON TO BE LEARNED, I REALLY THINK IN THIS DAY AND AGE WHERE WE HAVE TO STRETCH A DOLLAR, WE AS AMERICANS SHOULD SHOW MORE COMPANIES WE MEAN BUSINESS WHEN WE SAY
"HELL NO! THIS IS EXPENSIVE!"
THE POWER IS IN THE PEOPLE.
AND OUR MONEY TO A LESSER EXTENT.
BK RADIO
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Aaron T Noel said 3:12AM on 7-31-2007
I have a great point on the service but quickly I want to comment on "Bob." He is the reason this country is in turmoil with his 1920 way of thinking. Then he thanks God. Actually sir you are going to hell for hating, not the gay guy who made a remark about the gay and lesbian section at netflix. Bet you hate women and people of color too.
It was hard to part with netflix because I was on their bandwagon since they opened. Way ahead of their time. People still don't totally "get it" when it comes to online dvd programs. That said when blockbuster offered where you could return movies to the store and free coupons, I had to switch. Netflix got to the point where they wouldn't ship until they got their movies which was far different than at the beginning. Their prices jumped quickly. Times to get movies got slower. They started to employ the same tactics of the blockbusters of the world once they had the market cornered. Then Wal-Mart came along but didn't pose a real challenge. Then blockbuster. I didn't think anything of them at first because they did not do in store exchange. It was like a separate company(it wasn't of course). I get movies much faster with blockbuster. If I turn in 3 movies at the store for example, as soon as they check them in they ship my next movies. But wait there's more. I have 3 movies in hand already from exchanging them. If I get my movies next day, I can potentially have six movies out, no extra charge. Also I get 2 free in store rentals per month. Add that up and netflix just doesn't come close. I would not buy netflix stock, thats all I am saying. Like them or hate them, blockbuster right now is far superior.
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laney said 3:04PM on 7-31-2007
The point of Netflix is that I don't have to GO TO THE STORE. I haven't been able to understand why that was a "selling point" for the Blockbuster plan.
NETFLIX RULES. IN PERPETUITY.
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lin said 11:07PM on 7-31-2007
I started with Netflix, then switched to Blockbuster. I like that the quantity of movies I get can be, as pointed out by Aaron T Noel, more or less doubled with in-store exchanges. And I love the free rental coupon every month.
Yes, it's all a ploy to get renters out of their homes and back into the stores so they can stay in business, but why is that so bad? Complainy "laney," do you get your groceries delivered to your door, too? I fear the day when Americans tele-everything every single thing from their computers to their homes! And it's not obligatory - you don't need to swap them at the store if you don't want to.
If you like the number of movies you can get each month for the price at which you get them, and you're finding the titles you want, then you have the right company. So why is there even a debate?
*And why does someone always need to hate on gays (or minorities or women or hippies or people who chew cinnamon gum) with every single issue?? Let God deal with all of us when we get there. Let's just all play nice while we're here, and hope we make it in, ok? :)
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richard said 1:45PM on 11-06-2007
Netflix would be better if it would let you pay by check like Blockbuster.
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Sharon said 2:07PM on 11-06-2007
I don't understand how you get more of anything at Blockbuster over Netflix.
I stay home (no gas or wear and tear on my car)in my rural setting and wait for the mail man. Waiting right now for 2 movies from Netflix.
I have 3 at a time unlimited. I like TV programs that I can't get without spending lots of bucks and signing a 2 year contract. They send me new movies as fast as I can watch and return.
I often view 6 DVDS per week! These ususally contain 4 episodes each of things like CSI. Thats 180+ minutes per DVD. More if you watch the commentaries.
Tell me how Blockbuster can beat this!
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Sharon said 2:09PM on 11-06-2007
There are a lot of crazy people in this world. They worry me.
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Lori said 6:02PM on 11-06-2007
I'm very upset with Blockbuster right now. I never got notified that they decided to charge more for unlimitted rentals with the return envelope in the store. I went to return my envelopes one day and I had no more coupon and was told I could only get 5 instore rentals a month! I also have two accounts - one gives the coupon and the other does not!! Another mess Blockbuster has created! Just another way of charging me another $10.00 a month! I'm going to be cancelling soon and going back to my local library. Their free! I can get an entire season of any tv show for an entire week - free -and no waiting!
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NetflixSUX said 7:11PM on 11-06-2007
I used to subscribe Netflix. I found out that Netflix has set limit for heavy rental customers. They tend to delay the mail. How did I find out? I called them and ask them why is my mailing getting slower than before. They said I exchanged movie too many per month. I told them go @&$* themselves, and I ended up close my account there. I signed up for online mailing customer at Blockbuster. I love it so much and already double what I got from Netflix per month, even I exchange 2 movies twice in same day! I have been Blockbuster customer more than 2 yrs! Thank god for not being Netflix customer no more! Netflix is piece of @&$#! Netflix belong "rainbow" people!
Now I say, Can Netflix beat this? NO @&#$ING WAY! Netflix customers are SUCKERS! No wonder those "rainbow" people is good at sucking! LOL
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Wayne said 7:15PM on 11-06-2007
Also Blockbuster is right around the corner from my home. It takes me 3 min to walk over there and exchange the movies.
Sharon, you CANT beat this! SUCKER!
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Paulie said 11:10AM on 11-12-2007
I'm not gay but I rent gay/lesbian movies because I like movies and I'll watch any movie if I think it is good. I have been with Netflix from the beginning and I'm loyal. I get 3 movies a week. I returned 2 of them on Monday and got an email today (Tuesday) that 2 of my movies have been mailed. Having seen and returned all of them a couple of weeks ago, I stopped at blockbuster and rented 5 movies. That cost me $30 nearly 2 months of Netflix and a total of 24 movies that I could get from them in a 2 month period! Still Blockbuster is there if I get stuck, but they are $5! My local Acme is renting them for 99 cents! That's where I'm headed the next time I'm stuck.
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