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 4)
mike said 9:24AM on 1-30-2008
i found a website that seems to explain what this gift card crap is about, it's been bugging me for so long! anyway it's www.net-watchdog.com
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Julie said 8:42PM on 4-10-2008
How do you get rid of the spam if you accidentaly signed up on the Macy's gift card scam??? HELP!!!
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Vlad said 11:40AM on 5-29-2008
This has to be the best scam going!
FROM:MR MORGAN WIMPOE,
105 2ND AVE. SANDTON, 1892,
JOHANNESBURG,
SOUTH AFRICA.
PHONE+27 78 7634400
ATTN:MD/C.E.O,
Kindly accept my apology for sending unsolicited mail to you. Although
we never met before, I have every reason to believe that you are a
highly respected personality, considering the fact that I sourced your
profile from a human resource profile database on your country.Though, I
do not know to what extent you are familiar with events and fragile
political situation in Liberia but it has formed consistent headlines in
the CNN, BBC news bulletins, My name is Mr.Morgan Yormie Wimpoe , from
Liberia, a Country in West Africa. My Father Mr John Yormie Wimpoe
former DEPUTY MINISTER OF NATIONAL SECURITY in LIBERIA. My Father was
falsely accused of plotting to remove the then PRESIDENT OF LIBERIA
(CHARLES TAYLOR) from office. Without trial, Charles Taylor killed him.
you can verify this from these international newspaper website below:
(i) http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2003-07-15-liberia_x.htm
Before he was killed, my Father instructed me to escape with my family
to a hide out in JOHANNESBOURG, SOUTH AFRICA, and he confided in me that
he left some money in a Diplomatic Trust Company in Abroad, (name
withheld for security reasons) . All i require from you is to assist me
in claiming the fund (sealed in diplomatic consignment) from security
company and invest in your country. When you claim the fund, i shall
come over to your country with my Family so that we can start a new life
If you may ask why do I need a foreign assistance or why can't i take
the cash transfer by myself? The answer is that there was an exclusion
clause in the original agreement between the company and my father
which states unambiguously that 'nobody, not even himself, can have
access to the consignment in the company, and it has to be transferred
to a foreign beneficiary outside Africa. This was done because he
envisaged his arrest and this clause were inserted to prevent any
seizure or infiltration of the fund.
My decision to contact you is therefore, informed by this and due to my
present social status and total ignorance of the business world. I
believe you will appreciate the enormity of trust I repose on you by
placing the fortunes of our family in your care. Permit me to request
that you should reassure me that you would not let me down in any way.
On my part, this is my assurance and guarantee to you.In as much as you
follow my instructions carefully, religiously and promptly my guarantee
of a hitch-free success remains unshakable. I have contacted the
Diplomatic Security Firm to confirm the deposit, which is worth
$32,Million,(Thirty two million United State Dollars Only). You will be
given 20% of the total sum at the end of the transaction. If you will be
willing to assist us claim the money and invest it in your country. I
want to assure you that all modalities are in place and it is a risk
free transaction.
Kindly include your Full names, Private Telephone and Fax numbers where
you can always be reach, Your Residential or Company Address to enable
me send some other important information across to you. This proposal is
highly restricted and should be handled as an urgent transaction
requiring trust and Confidentiality. Please reply to this email:
Sincerely,
Mr.Morgan Wimpoe.
For the family.
Phone#+27-78 7634400
Private e-mail:(morgan.wimpoe@webmail.co.za)
Reply
Vlad said 11:43AM on 5-29-2008
and yet another phisher scam
-----Original Message-----
From: AOL
To:
Sent: Thu, 29 May 2008 3:11 am
Subject: Alert about your AOL billing information on file
Billing Information
Dear AOL Member
Contact Us
Have a question regarding your AOL account?
Contact us now!
E-mail your questions
Call us at 1-800-827-6364
Billing Information Dear AOL Member , We were unable to process your most recent payment. Did you recently change your bank, phone number or credit card? To ensure that your service is not interrupted, please update your billing information today by clicking here https://Bill.Aol.com After a few clicks, just verify the information you entered is correct. ! Sincerely.
AOL Member Services Team,
P.S. The link in this massage will be expire within 24 Hours . You have to update your payment information
© 2008 AOL LLC. All Rights Reserved
Thank You
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stay informed, get connected and more with AOL on your phone.
Reply
Nelly said 6:02PM on 10-23-2008
The Scam is now showing up on Facebook. Beware!!!
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JonBoy said 5:12PM on 11-12-2007
How is this new news? If you spend 5 mins on myspace you will see this everywhere.
Bored? Read www.curiousread.com
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JonBoy said 5:13PM on 11-12-2007
How is this new news? If you spend 5 mins on myspace you will see this everywhere.
Bored? Read http://curiousread.com
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Brittany Smith said 5:43PM on 11-12-2007
That's not the only phishing scam on MySpace, I got a fake youtube clip on my comments, and when you click on it, you are also redirected to the same fake login page where you enter your info and someone steals it. My anti-virus software is really good, thankfully, and caught that it was a fradulent page.
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sophia said 7:05PM on 11-13-2007
Aww... how cute! someone got their first myspace account! Geez I don't know who hasn't seen that scam.
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Vong said 6:20PM on 11-12-2007
This thing isnt only happening on Myspace. My friend's AIM account has been hacked into or somthing. Gives me a link to the site. i ignore it though.
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Audrey said 7:27PM on 11-12-2007
So is Tom doing anything about this?!
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michael said 7:00PM on 11-12-2007
i get emails everyday with $500 walmart cards from panama, i win the lottery everyday for millions from honk kong, mexico, the united kingdom,all asking for my personal information! everything i advertise for sale on the net some scammer emails me within minutes offering to buy it with a shipper and a cashiers check from Zaire,Nigeria,Canada,England you name it its out there! the my space scammers offer more than a macys card!! free computers, walmart cards, ipods, free ringtones!! where is the internet security? try a dating site! 90% percent of the ads are fake!! wake up america everyone is open to being scammed if you use the internet! even aol! i recieved messages that i had pictures on aol asking for my password only to have my account shut off for spamming! they sent 1000's of emails with my accuont name! go figure! should i have given aol my email address and password just now? they say they never ask for it??
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Franklin Applebee said 12:01PM on 11-15-2007
Uh, there are legitimate offers for those giftcards, you just have to sign up for different freebies, and you get a giftcard. It's just like those free ipod promotions (from a couple years ago).
The myspace thing is different, those guys are doing identity theft and whatnot, a totally different thing.
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myspace.com/serbianidol said 7:13PM on 11-12-2007
When my friends get hacked, I usually get this kind of post from them as a comment or as a bulletin. The way to not get hacked is to not download those modifiers or whatever else they hustle.
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pat pat said 7:25PM on 11-12-2007
YEAH LIKE HALF OF THE COMMENTS ON MY PAGE ARE ABOUT THIS....SERIOUSLY!!!!...BUT I'M SMART I NEVER CLICKED IT....THANK GOD....
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Baldaramos510 said 8:02PM on 11-12-2007
My Space?...I get PLENTY of these in my AOL mail
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trigunvash38 said 8:18PM on 11-12-2007
Thank you for participating in our FREE survey! As a result, you are entitled to a FREE 500 dollar MACY'S CARD!! Click the link below to claim your .......
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Zac the Hoople said 8:26PM on 11-12-2007
The same people pop up late night on craigslist under the free stuff section offering $500 cards to Rred Lobster and Olive Garden. That's a month's worth of dinner for the average person, EVERY NIGHT if it were real...
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Cortez said 8:32PM on 11-12-2007
To take precautions, whenever you're faced with a page that wants you to log in again, look and make sure your browser says the web address is something with "Myspace" in it..
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jamesnpost said 8:53PM on 11-12-2007
Nobody (absolutely NOBODY) gives away anything (absolutely ANYTHING)free on the internet. ALL con games depend on the same thing: somebody is tempted to believe they will get something for nothing. CHUMPS! (I'll say it again: CHUMPS!)
Reply