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 5)
Michael said 4:37PM on 9-06-2008
At least it wasn't over $9,000.
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nicole said 11:00PM on 1-22-2009
When you purchase an i phone, you are told about a mandatory data package which covers all your data while in the US, people think they are being "sneaky" by getting an i phone and putting thier sim card into it to avoid paying the extra 20 dollars for the original i phone data package or the 30 data package for the 3g, and they are surprised when they get an outrageous bill because they dont want to pay for the services they are recieving, and when your traveling overseas, how do you figure that att would have towers over there to cover your data without an international feature? Common sense would tell you otherwise
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SCole said 2:54PM on 8-20-2007
What an idiot!!! He could have gotten an international calling card for about $100 and been alot better off
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sei said 3:44PM on 8-20-2007
iphone sounds pretty crappy after this story
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Lee said 4:05PM on 8-20-2007
I'm sure he felt that all he used his iPHONE for was necessary, so he should have to pay the bill like all of us who make use of a service.
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chorlette said 8:03PM on 8-20-2007
at@t gotta love or leave them alone.
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Brandy said 6:41AM on 8-21-2007
I did use my cell phone (verizon wireless) in the Bahama's and Puerto Rico while on a cruise. I did not get any additional Charges. I have done considerable amount of research on the best cell phone plans around and Verizon has the best one I don't understand why everyone is against that company any input here would be very welcomed.
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renee said 9:19AM on 8-21-2007
Love my Verizon plan/phone whatever you want to call it. Never had a problem with them and I have been with them since 1996. I don't understand why people get new cell phones every few months with new companies and new phone numbers.
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Tiler Cassidy said 11:31AM on 8-21-2007
I personally love Verizon and dislike AT&T. (Their basic phone charges are almost the same.) But I am addicted to Apple products... I haven't gotten the iPhone yet. (After reading so many iHorror stories recently, how could I?) But I think I will wait for the next line of iPhones, to see if they have worked out any of their problems.
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Olivia said 8:32PM on 8-22-2007
retard! everybody knows you arent supposed to roam with iphones. i have one, and im a teen, and i still know its pricey to use it in foreign countries. way to go pierre or whatever the crap his name is.
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Gunsmoke said 8:42PM on 8-22-2007
To all of you cattle branded zombies it's time to smarted up and use your hard earned cash for better things you can enjoy in your spare time, like a "forty sack" of grass and rolling papers - and you'll still have enough to take your Old lady for a Honey moon at the Roach Motel.
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Diane said 8:51PM on 8-22-2007
I just got what I thought was an unlimited data plan too and I've been on roam for 3 weeks wondering what my bill is going to be. Yikes!
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chocobunny said 9:01PM on 8-22-2007
Having been to Ibiza ... and owning a tri-band phone since 2003... (my current phone is a blackberry its quad band)... Everyone with half a brain who intends to use their phone beyond U.S. their phone outside of Canada pays the extra $20.00 bucks a month to turn on international service. I'm sure he had the travel plans prior to buying the phone... Ibiza sells out for summer by March... but then again its the having half a brain thing.... he should have stayed in Seaside Heights, New Jersey... where he could have impressed the locals with his expensive toy... I'm sure he was texting "like a pimp" and calling home to "Ant" aka "Antony"... in Kearny, New Jersey to boast about how many bums he grabbed at the foam party.
FFS... did he use the film "Eurotrip" in which a dude uses a tri band phone to pretend that he was in the States as his guide...
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andrew said 9:10PM on 8-22-2007
i also had an iphone and was on full usage plan and received a bill of over $400 when my plan was only 169 for everything. they immediatly said they can slash the price and have authority to reduce other things and finally withing 5 min was down to correct price..i wonder how many people dont even look and just paid it as i usually would do..they are prob making an extra 100 million in mistakes on bills. i was alitlle offended
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Maureen said 9:13PM on 8-22-2007
FIRST OF ALL.... NEVER TAKE YOUR CELL PHONE ON VACATION!!!! ESPECIALLY IF IT'S TO EUROPE, NO MATTER WHAT PART!!!!! :)
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Dee said 9:24PM on 8-22-2007
Rule of thumb: Know Before You Roam!
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netster said 9:34PM on 8-22-2007
Why the heck wasn't he just enjoying Europe instead of obsessively using his iphone??? I don't have a cell phone nor do I want one. I think they're absolutely annoying and so are the people who have them glued to their face 24 freakin hours a day! Most people with cell phones can NOT drive or go to the store without talking on the phone, sheesh! Don't believe me? Just try going shopping or running errands without talking on your phone. Betcha can't do it.
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lee said 10:08PM on 8-22-2007
When I got my verizon unlimited data plan the rep forgot check that box on VZW's computer...first bill $1685 !!! (luckily had paperwork showing plan so they made good ut took 2 months and a second bill for $1950 before it was fixed!
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Marionne said 9:38PM on 8-22-2007
Poor iPhone. It's reputation is getting tarnished by a few morons.
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brandon said 9:45PM on 8-22-2007
if you can afford an iphone trips to Ibiza, Spain and Europe im sure it didnt hurt him any..prolly just a reason to get some publicity.this is just some rich shmuk...
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