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.
You're all probably familiar with the "fewest dropped calls" campaign from AT&T (formerly Cingular). If you're a current or former customer, you know that claim is questionable at best. After a protracted legal battle with Sprint and an investigation by the Better Business Bureau, AT&T is dropping the slogan.
_thumbnail.jpg "Vintage Keyboards")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Dave said 5:28PM on 8-24-2007
AT&T is one of the most dishonest companies in this country! They slammed us twice on long distance, and then tried to rip us off by refusing to refund the prepaid portion of our account when we cancelled other services. Calls to the FL Public Service Commission quickly got their attention. We had finally gotten rid of them ... and then they turn around and buy Bell South! Nothing but problems since.
Reply
mel52 said 5:29PM on 8-24-2007
I regretablly just renewed with AT&T. I was told I would have even better service on their new system. WRONG! I have more dropped calls than ever! I complain on a daily basis and get silly reasons like it is my phone. When I question that both hubby and I each have new phones, different brands they still blame the phones.Our calls get interrupted in SPANISH after an announcement the number isn't valid. Those familiar with *82,should know you can't call those people if you have a blocked number. We should have switched to Verizon
Reply
Donny said 8:18PM on 8-24-2007
AT&T is such a joke and their old slogan is a bigger joke. We just signed up with AT&T a few months ago and it's pathetic the number of calls that are dropped. My 5 minute phone call yesterday was dropped 4 different times. I wouldn't recommend AT&T to anyone. I'm going to try my best to get them to drop the service. Not to mention that our $65 bill ends up being $120+ each month because of the silly things they charge you for. I'd go back to T-mobile in a heartbeat if I could.
Reply
anibethc40 said 9:22PM on 8-24-2007
AT&T should have dropped its misleading claim months ago since it has the most dropped calls ever since its merger with Cingular Wireless- a crappy wireless service with a bad reputation. AT&T's claims were filled with lies and fillers that proved AT&T's lack of competency in its overall performance. People also have been making complaints regarding AT&T's irritating and abusive marketing practicing and annoyance when it sent a huge bill, involving a waste of paper to its loyal customers using its I Phone products and service. AT&T also practices explosive and expensive marketing ploy in order to take more from the pocket book of their customers, with outrageous fees and misleading jargons in hope of satisfying their customers. AT&T's marriage to Cingular was a futile attempt to gain mass consumer with their urge to get themeslves a huge piece of the profit pie. Its time for people to part with their beloved i-phone and at&t service, to go back with a decent wireless plan and services they started with.
Reply
Mark said 9:22PM on 8-24-2007
Ever noticed that the AT&T Logo looks like the Star Wars Death Star? What's up with that?
Reply
Denise said 10:33PM on 8-24-2007
Once upon a time I had a phone with AT&T. When my contract expired, I chose to go with Cingular to get away from AT&T's crappy service. A few months later, I found out about the merger with Cingular, and thought I just can't win for losing! The service remains the same, dropped calls all the time. My best friend and I always laugh when we are talking and we lose the call, because she has Cingular too! The network with the fewest dropped calls! False advertising at it's best!
Reply
merin2006 said 10:56PM on 8-24-2007
I'm not disputing the claims the other people have made, I can only speak for myself. I have never had problems with Cingular before the merger, and I still don't, now that they are AT&T. Whenever I have had to call customer service (which hasn't been often) they have always been very friendly and helpful. Sure I have had some dropped calls, but who hasn't with any of the wireless services? I don't have that many. Maybe it depends on the area a person lives in, I don't know, but I can honestly say that I am very satisfied with Cingular/AT&T. And a lot of the people I talk with on my cell phone are also AT&T customers, and they are happy with their service as well. I know in my area, at least, Verizon is not very good. I think no matter what, people are always going to complain about one company or another, but like I said before, I am very happy with my wireless service.
Reply
ColdShowerz said 9:27AM on 8-25-2007
I must be one of the lucky ones then.
I've had AT&T, then Cingular then back to the new AT&T/Cingular for 7-8 years now and never had a problem. Coverage (through local carriers of course) was seamless and crystal clear in Europe and India too.
Current phones are a Treo and two Sony Ericsons. I am so happy, I am adding another two lines to my Family plan. Good luck to y'all whatever network you switch to.
Reply
ToyMaster96 said 12:01AM on 8-25-2007
I started with Cingular...switched last year to T-Mobile, now THAT was a joke & a half..their tower was down the road from my house and half to the time I barely could get any service so 2 weeks later I switched back to Cingular, and back to great service since...granted, sometime I don't get perfect calls...but that depends on the weather and where I might be...that could affect the signal reception of the phone...and I'm STILL with Cingular/AT&T ... IF I switch, it'd be to Verizon, only b/c I'd get a discount through my employer since Verizon gives them a corporate discount. Other than that...I've been extremely pleased with the service that I've had with Cingular/AT&T
Reply
keikobjh said 5:42AM on 8-25-2007
I was a Cingular customer for several years and had very good service. The along comes AT&T and it all goes down the drain. Have never had so much trouble with cell phone service. Of course AT&T says that nothing has changed except the name. Who are they kidding?? Had the same problem several years ago when AT&T bought the company I was using at that time. As soon as my contract expires I'm ot of here!!
Reply
Bub said 1:16AM on 8-25-2007
I went to cingular to avoid AT&T as I had experience with AT&T on landline and was not happy with their rates. So I concerned when I herd of the buyout. But I must say the merger has been seemless for me. I have had few probelms with service, then or now, and the customer service people have been very polite and helpful when needed.
Reply
BlkNSilky7729 said 2:00AM on 8-25-2007
Yes, AT&T isn't the best cell company on the market. But as a user I experience exceptional service and "bar" availability in the areas I travel too. They also make their additional features affordable so that you can have a low bill and enjoy all the bells and whistles that the cell phone industry has to offer. Sprint on the other hand is a trap. They have horrible customer service and charge you a large amount for any additions you wish to make on your phone. Sprint's also all to quick to cut your service off for any minor descepency that occurs even if they are at fault. And don't even get me started on Nextel and the fact that the only good thing they have going for them is the chirp feature and that's not all that great either (when it works!) I'd choose AT&T for their great customer service, price and features over any of those other jokers any day.
Reply
Kick Azz said 7:34AM on 8-25-2007
I had cingular now it is AT&T and I hate it. Cingular blocked my calls to KY. I live in IL. They sent me a letter that I didn't understand saying that this was done because I didn't use my phone enough for local service. Cingular is loosing money on me. They said this happen to 1 % of people. I was on my way to visit my son and I started having car trouble and tried to call my son and couldn't make the call. I had nation wide service and I was mad. I went to a Cingular store and found out I had been blocked. I have over 4,000 roll over mins. It is true about their billing not being honest, I took the $49.99 with 450 roll over mins. service plus extra line for $9.99 and each month my bill is $104.00. My son have moved to TN. and I can call him now.
I live in a place with 300,000 people and a lot of time, I can't make a call. It says call failed. I have no bars. I got the best phone they made when I got my service, it's not the phone, I had it checked. I had Sprint and liked it but it didn't have service to one area I go to. When my contract is up, which will be soon, I'm getting Verizon.
Reply
Greg said 6:59AM on 8-25-2007
I don't understand why these people have to have Iphones. Apple products are junk. My Ipod I received last Dec. 25th worked twice and then I rec'd an email telling me that all support had expired on Jan. 8th. I don't feel sorry for these people who are dumb enough to buy a "novelty" phone from a disreputable company knowing that they are going to be required to have service from an even more disreputable company. DUH...
Reply
Thomas said 5:30AM on 9-15-2007
I can't complain about the service. I was in the Prudhoe Bay oil fields on the north slope of Alaska, picked up the phone and talked to family members in Florida and New York. I was also in St Thomas in the Virgin Islands, and had no trouble with calling the same places. I hope the service continues to be good.
Reply
bubbaG said 8:16AM on 8-25-2007
Had sprint for 2 AWEFUL years in Orlando. Then AT&T to cingular and Back to AT&T now, with essentially NO PROBLEMS. Vacation Miami, no probs,vacation NY, no problems, vacation Asheville, no problems. I have nokia phone, no problems.
Reply
Gee Golly said 12:05PM on 8-25-2007
We had AT&T first; they gave me okay sercice, no problems. I had a Nokia phone then. AT&T then became Cingular, the transition was smooth. Only problem we had was someone kept trying to order phones on our service, but fortunately Cingular always calls you back to confirm purchases. This happened a few times, and someone had enough of our information to nearly succeed. They even went online and changed our password, email and billing address. Cingular was very efficient at thwarting access to our billing, quite helpful in making certain that I changed everything around so much that the difficulty factor in penetrating our new codes and passwords is far greater. So, as far as safety, they do help you to keep your contract from being infiltrated by the scum out there who would do it. Though I have also often wondered, was this an inside job that was basically easy pickin's for a hacker from within the company due to their changing over so frequently and customer information not being within one environment only?
Reply
billt said 2:53PM on 8-25-2007
For all you dissatisfied customers. Please add me to your list. we had AT&T, and Cingular and couldn't wait to get rid of them. We were in the 2004 Hurricane on Palm Island and couldn't even get a dial tone. I was fortunate to have my friend and host on Verizon talking to his family in Tampa as if they were next door. I couldn't wait to change.!!!!!!!!!
Reply
Belinda Carlilses said 3:04PM on 8-25-2007
I always hated AT&T because they always slammed their customers with fake long distance charges. I was truly incensed when they bought out Cingular. Now I'm an AT&T customer again. I'm happy AT&T dropped that slogan because it wasn't true. My cell phone dropped calls often.
http://magnumshops.org/jewelrydiamondsintl.aspx
Reply
larry said 3:11PM on 8-25-2007
Ever since ATT signed us up for a new landline longdistance plan in Feb, I have been in a sea of paperwork and extra charges. They even messed up and instead of signing me up for their long distance they set me up with Sprint. They then charged me again to switch it back. From a contract signed in February, it took 4 months to get right. Then yesterday I received a call from a collection agency telling me I have a payment due of 27.62 which was credited off my account 60 days ago. I have been on hold for 45 minutes this morning waiting to resolve this
Reply