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)
Brenda G. said 2:02PM on 3-08-2008
I've had very good experiences with online dating. I'm in my late 50's and tell the truth about everything in my profile, including my age. I'm contacted by mostly younger men, some much younger. Most of the men I've met have been honest, too. The few who weren't owned up to the truth right away. There are lots of scammers and creeps out there - you learn to spot them quickly after a while.
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john said 5:57PM on 4-07-2008
I have met a few women online. I gave it up because more often that not the date turned to sex. Sometimes a quick romp before going to dinner. What is it with some of these women. I insulted one when I walked into the room and she was naked and waiting. I told her to get dressed. Am I wrong or what. I am more than just a piece of meat.
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di said 11:29AM on 8-08-2008
Well, geez, people. Some of you have the saddest stories. But you get what you ask for. If you don't want to see the person a second time, why do you do it? Just cut ties. You are then just asking for all kinds of trouble! And it will happen. It always does, doesn't it? Trust your instincts. My instincts are wonderful. I do online dating all the time--if someone evades you--just move on. Why develop a relationship or at the very least agree to go on a date with them if something doesn't "feel right"?
I realize that some people are just desperate to find someone that they overlook these "red flags" that pop up all over the place. Have some dignity. Be true to yourself. No one can take advantage of you unless you let them!
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di said 11:38AM on 8-08-2008
I just realized this article was out for some time...October 2007? What are you doing now AOL, recycling articles for more comments???
Can you give us something new and original?
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Stacy said 3:22PM on 10-10-2007
I met my husband online... however, we didn't wait forever to meet in person. I think thats the key. Meet in person quickly so that you dont have false expectations. It was easy for us though, because we lived in the same town.
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Ken said 3:25PM on 10-10-2007
Hello,.........
It is a two way street when dealing with online dating. My experience is that most are superficial, trading looks rather than having substance. Going for a cup of coffee in most cases is not acceptable, rather than it be that a 4-5 star restaurant is to tell the co-workers where the date occurred. Not all woman are this way, but in my experience, 70 percent are. It is dis-heartning to find these hard numbers to be true, but the reality is the night in shining armour does not exist! A nice middle-class guy with Chivalry,Class,Compassion,etc.does. But he is passed-up frequently for Mr. GQ only to find he has a of woman he is literally for fun,pleasure, or games. More-so than not, it is the nice guy like myself who albeit gets a call literally 3-6 months down the road asking if I am still "interested", because the guy she had chosen was not what he said/appeared to be originally. Think about it ladies, life is not a dress rehearsal, it is the real-deal. PS: Not men are because your were.
Ken in Orlando,Florida
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Nemah said 3:54PM on 10-10-2007
What's real bad is these women who say they are a few pounds over-weight, then when they show up for the date, they're about 250 - 350. Ya know, some men like the chubby's but some don't. Just be honest gals.
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Chandra said 3:59PM on 10-10-2007
Some of these foreign men that want white women in England and America, show pictures that make them look white when in fact they are very dark. Many Indian and Arab men are as dark or darker than our American Blacks.
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R. said 3:55PM on 10-11-2007
All I have to say is that everyone's comments will vary from their own experience. My experience from having tried two online dating services is that I've never found Mr. Right - because our expectations are so high and once we meet this individual he doesn't turn out to be the individual he had painted. So, at 53 I've decided to let go and Let God send Mr. Right to me - because, it's obvious that this online dating is a bit of a joke. Too many men are on it for the name sake of going out with different women all at once...and I'm sure there are women who are the same...but, I'd prefer to date one person at a time and get to know this individual rather then seeing 5 of time at the same time. As an ex-model of many years I've come to learn that men are afraid to approach me - they just stare - we're all humans and I don't recall ever having bitten anyone because he was brave enough to say hello...so, even those of us who may be attractive are very alone...why, because everyone assume that we have someone and in reality, we don't. So, I wish everyone the best of luck with the online dating - it's not for me!
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Eric said 3:58PM on 10-10-2007
I've been on MySpace for a little over a year now, and have been mainly browsing the single Catholic women. There was one young lady on that list who apparently used a pic of Angelina Jolie in her profile; she just didn't seem to be who she said she is. I double-check the profiles to see which ones are being honest (especially about her faith), and which ones aren't.
As Michael Conrad used to say on "Hill Street Blues": "Let's be careful out there!"
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Debbie said 5:38PM on 10-12-2007
I've never used an on lina dating service. My former boyfriend used a service to meet a woman when we were still together! Aparently he had trouble getting approved by one on line dating site. So he had his neighbor,a female college professor,answer the questionaire pretending to be him. Long story short is that the new woman and I figured him out. By the way,he's been a full time police officer for about twenty three years!!
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MAV said 4:05PM on 10-10-2007
Yes honesty is very important on important things of life. The inner self and your heart who you really are... BUT
since the Dating searches are age and photo conscious meaning PHYSICAL I myself have put how I look than (and that still I put older because I look a lot younger than I am ... I am 56, but look between 35 and 40 years old) so if I put my real age ... many of the men in the age I am interested in will not find me (47-60) they are all looking in 35-40 sometimes I find up to 50... My photo is accurate... no plastic surgery and I have youtful vitality to match...
and for me it is what is in the heart that I respond to.
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starbackup said 4:09PM on 10-10-2007
My husband and I met on Match.com an excess of 5 years ago during a free trial. Neither of us misrepresented ourselves, however, the chemistry was not instantaneous(My picture was on my profile, but we did not exchange pictures; hence I only had a verbal description of him. We talked on the phone for a month before agreeing to meet face-to-face). We became confidants and allowed the friendship to flourish until it culminated into the wonderful and loving relationship it is today. Our sole act of falsification was distorting how we met to our friends and family members. Online dating was still risqué and stigmatized. Everyone thought the Internet was only haven for socially and physically awkward ogres and nymphomaniacs! We're both attractive, highly educated, financially secure professionals that did not want to waste time in clubs or bars. In addition to meeting my husband, I met an attractive attorney and a physical therapist. Online dating allows you to wade through the guises people present and allow you to be completely candid about what you want and what you don't want sans fear of hurting someone's feelings. Now all of my single friends have tried an online site at least once. We feel like pioneers!
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Marci Palmer said 4:23PM on 10-10-2007
I was wary about internet dating, too, but I took a chance on EHarmony. I'm happy to say that I met a WONDERFUL man! We dated for 3 years and are now married. While it's important to be careful, don't let the horror stories keep you from giving internet dating a try. The horror stories always seem to get the most attention, but there are countless success stories out there, too. Give it a chance ... be patient, be careful, but be open to the possibilities!
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Sam said 5:13PM on 10-10-2007
If men and women would quit deceiving each other with this online dating, it would be so much better. i have yet to date someone from online, i post myself as my true self, dont like it, tough. BE HONEST above all else people, its only fair or you disappoint yourselves and its your own fault, no one elses.
I have tried to find my soulmate,which i do believe exists, where are you? i dont ask for much in a man believe me. I have had the cruel end of being married to idiots and wife beaters from no reason of my own, it ended up that way after the fact, think you know someone in a years time before marriage only to find out what they are like after? i did. Wife beater and a pedofile, its pathetic you guys have to lie and woman are no better. things could be so much better if you are honest, try it..good luck to us all.
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Fran said 5:14PM on 10-10-2007
I agree with the person who said that the men are online to play games. I found myself instant messaging someone, thinking that we were interested in each other, only to be put on hold, while he instant messaged someone else at the same time.
Too many people.. too little time. It's a shame. If the Players want to play, they should go to a bar!!
I really thought this would be a good venue to actually meet someone, but to no avail.
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Pamela Cline said 5:23PM on 10-10-2007
My DAting Horror Story
I met my current boyfriend online at a dating site and we have lived together for 2yrs. I thought he was perfect and I moved 250 miles from home and family to be with him. We get along good sometimes. He now has a My Space page and on this page he displays himself as Single he justifies it by saying that he is not married and this caues alot of conflict between us. He has women on his site that are single and talk to him when they do question him about a relationship he finally admits but tells them it is bad and we are breaking up. I had to call one lady and tell her the truth I could see she was getting very emotionally involved with him and was excited to meet him and that she thought he was wonderful.. Well this wonderful man has a Sexual Transmitted Disease (Gential Warts)and he still has them, I know because I have them now also. When he met me he thought something was wrong but decided what to hell. I try to let these women know what is really going on but it causes us to fight so bad that it is just so stressful for me so what I thought was going to be a wonderful life turned out to be MY Hell. So yes please be careful when you meet someone online ask questions. look at comments ck out friends, look for any signs of a woman or man in their life. I regret my decision and I don't do dating sites anymore
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Marcus Arelius said 5:25PM on 10-10-2007
I met my current wife on an internet dating site. Honestly: I lied aboput my age and my photos were a few years old, but very representative. Turns out so did she!!! Seems just about EVERYONE lies about their age so if you don't do it you'll be at a disadvantage. I recommend taking at least 5 years off your age as that seems to be about the mean based on my survey.
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Bridget said 5:35PM on 10-10-2007
My ex IMed me and sent me a pic that was 10-20 years old! No wonder he waited 9 months to agree to meet me face to face - he turned out to be the biggest liar and fraud I've ever known! I should never have agreed to meet him a 2nd time! What he's done to me since then, is too long of a story. Just a lesson that one should always trust their gut and not be deceived by what one shows on the outside.
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Edwina King said 6:25PM on 10-10-2007
Beware of Together Dating Services,
a total rip off. They take your money and don't provide the services they claim they will provide.
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