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 2)
George said 1:56AM on 6-17-2008
we should kill people right now. I want to see dead bodies all over the place!
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Debby said 5:44AM on 6-17-2008
I understand that people will do silly and/or stupid things in their lives, but once they post pictures of them on a public website that's what the pictures become...PUBLIC! I did stupid stuff as a teen, drank, partied...but I never took a picture of myself doing it and then posted in the internet for anyone in the world to see. O.k, there was no internet in the 80's, but I compare a photo posted on the internet to putting a sign in your front yard with the pic on it......something I even knew was asking for trouble. If ya don't want anyone to see it, then why put it out there for everyone to see??????
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Katie said 8:05AM on 6-17-2008
Social Networks like these aren't actually alll that bad its the idiots behind it making it bad. You wont end up getting abducted if you don't put your address and age. People who you dont know wont see you if you dont befriend them. Use common sense!!!!
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Diane said 1:24PM on 6-17-2008
I joined becuase someone who I cared for dearly asked me to be your friend again and join facebook but now all I get is messages from her that say " I don't have anything for you!"
Tell mr, is that rude or what?
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zoegurl913 said 8:41PM on 6-17-2008
that was so stupid. people people people ..... wow
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x4xgirl said 6:47PM on 11-17-2007
That is how i feel about online forums such as myspace and facebook lol.
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Jessie said 8:13PM on 11-17-2007
I am on those networking sites and I feel that ppl should have enough sense to post certain things. You wouldn't send certain things in the mail or on the cell phone then why put it on the internet? I have been on these sites for over a year and I have managed to avoid having questionable pictures and/or things online.
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M. Hinesley said 8:43PM on 11-17-2007
Oh come on- That picture of the little irish Fairy guy is precious!!!
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ashley said 9:05PM on 11-17-2007
I think that guy in the fairy suit was freaking hilarious!!! hahaha. I wish I could have seen the look on his boss's face whenever he saw the picture!!!!!
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Taylor said 9:08PM on 11-17-2007
this video is hilarious.."i can be ur facebook stalker" lol thats pretty classic right there
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tomelyons said 9:17PM on 11-17-2007
Facebook used to be cool when it was only for college kids. But since they opened it up to everyone, it blows. There is a new site out there called bookwormme.com that is only for us college kids. Really! I heard final version will be out right after TG.
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Mary said 9:26PM on 11-17-2007
That's why I use Flugpo. It's much safer.
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Thom said 9:43PM on 11-17-2007
Silly heterosexual men. Some of these guys
are so pretty they should be GAY.
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Thom said 9:43PM on 11-17-2007
Silly heterosexual men. Some of these guys
are so pretty they should be GAY.
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Muzammil said 11:42PM on 11-17-2007
why thye ahowing all indian guyz and gals..in this stupid video??? i just don't get that point??/
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Charlotte said 10:33PM on 11-17-2007
Personally i dont see a thing wrong with this entire thing other than the jerks who thought it was their business to turn them in,,THis is just people caught in the act of being people,,like the guy singing into his hairbrush or the fat chick poledancing in her kitchen with the refrigerater,,This is a very hard life everything fun is illegal and ridiculed,,,what was just shown didnt hurt anybody,,you have to grab some fun someplace,,and as long as it legal who cares?? play on people!! play on!!
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Alan said 11:10PM on 11-17-2007
I never cease to be amazed by those that post embarassing or private things on line for the whole world to see, then get upset when the wrong person sees it. If it's on the internet, anyone can see it, and it's a whole lot harder to get it off the internet!
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Sandra said 11:33PM on 11-17-2007
College students come in all ages..for some people, well into seniorism. I don't watch stupid people doing stupid stuff. I do think it's great they are all corralled in one place though. Keep them out of my neighborhood.
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Otto Ladensack said 8:00PM on 11-18-2007
Have a nice day.
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Nicole said 10:37PM on 11-18-2007
well if you dont want things like that posted dont do stupid things like that.... it's that easy
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