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 1)
David L. said 6:27PM on 10-05-2007
I think it,s outrageous and annoying to be bothering people on there cell phones and I will not do any business with any company that bothers me with there unwanted solicitations, LEAVE US ALONE. enough is enough already I bought satillite radio specifically to avoid all the ads on the radio I mute them out on tv, and definately DO NOT WANT them CALLING MY CELL PHONE!!!!!.
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Justin said 1:12AM on 10-06-2007
As soon as I see ads on my cellphone, or hear them on my cellphone, that is when I get rid of it.
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Dan said 11:48AM on 10-06-2007
I put my phones on the "do not call" registry when it first came out to prevent my precious cell phone minutes from being wasted by solicitors. I suppose now I'm going to be forced to pay for a premium service from my provider to block these new annoyances.
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Bob said 12:21PM on 10-06-2007
How bout a Cold Bud?
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Audrey said 2:10PM on 10-06-2007
That's all I need to hear! I've done whatever is necessary to keep spam out of my e-mail and telemarketers off my land phone, I won't tolerate it invading the privacy of my cell phone where minutes count. TO ALL YOU ADVERTISERS DON'T EVEN GO THERE! FIRSTLY, I DELETE ASAP, AND IF I CATCH THE NAME OF YOUR COMPANY OR PRODUCT I WILL BOYCOTT IT. I don't pay for my Internet and Phone Services to give you a free ride.
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Audrey said 2:14PM on 10-06-2007
If advertisers can send their ads to cell phones to bug cell phone users, invade their privacy (what's a password for, for heaven's sake?), then the cell phone companies are permitting it and without the permission of their customers. IF I AM REQUIRED TO SIGN A CONTRACT FOR ONE YEAR - OR EVEN LONGER, YOU'D BETTER BE ABIDING BY MY AGREEMENT WITH YOU, that's my last word. SO - T-MOBILE, THINK TWICE ABOUT!! I'LL DROP YOU.
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quigley said 7:12PM on 10-06-2007
Don't even touch my iPhone.
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@#$%^&*! said 7:25PM on 10-06-2007
Better media should find the names and home addresses of every business owner who advertises on cell phones, and the same for every cell phone exec who signs off on these deals, and them publish them so the public who gets ripped off from their BS can find them and murder them in their beds. Drive them fast to their tomb.
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Dee said 9:25PM on 10-06-2007
I think it is high time we consumers rebel. We have been putting up with ads on many services that we are paying (big bucks) for. If we are going to have to put up with ads in newspapers, on cable TV and now on cell phones then I think we should be getting the services for free. This is outrageous!
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James Hughes said 12:06AM on 10-07-2007
It all starts in 10 days...DO NOT CALL LIST #
1-888-382-1222,call them now takes 10 seconds to do.Covers you for 5 yrs.
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hmfithian said 10:10AM on 10-07-2007
these people making coments have not done their research
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Bruc said 11:04AM on 10-07-2007
Tired of corporations treating you like cattle? Then don't be a sheep.
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Angela Watkins said 8:19PM on 10-07-2007
Ads on cell phones -- there is two ways to look at this.
This could become annoying to those who do not want such advertisments coming via of their cell phones...
Or it could possibilty be a break through for a person to learn about a legitimate -- honest service, needed product or source of extra income.
When I was getting a pedicure last month the gentle that gave me my pedicure at the salon told me in a jokingly way .... That pretty pink cell phone you have might be worth a million one day to you .......
Angela
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