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)
russ said 10:29AM on 11-20-2007
If this was April 1st., I'd think it was a joke. As it is, I just think it's STUPID.
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Sahra said 1:08PM on 11-20-2007
enough already
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Vahn said 2:34PM on 11-20-2007
This is just stupid.
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Susan said 4:55PM on 11-20-2007
GARANIMALS ON CRACK!!!
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Bobbie said 5:03PM on 11-20-2007
Well, I for one could use this! No kidding, my daughter is always telling me if I clash or not. I'm 50 and it's been that way all my life. I just accept it and go on. Life is an adventure and for me so is getting dressed. Please don't mock me...you have faults too.
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KM said 5:14PM on 11-20-2007
Oh I do know for a long time that a lot of men are either geeks or better called slob's.
Women take hours to get ready for an event, or a date. Dorbells rings and here he is in all his glory.
Lousy looking jeans, rumpled shirt, and banged up shoes.
Give me European men anytime, more polished.
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David said 6:46PM on 11-20-2007
Oh, please! I can't afford that "fashion" crapola. I can get an entire wardrobe at Wal-Mart or Target for $300.00, and it will last me for years.
If the Fashion Fascists don't like it, tough.
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Don said 7:50PM on 11-20-2007
FUN FOR THE FEEBLE MINDED!
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Robbie L said 8:22AM on 11-22-2007
Any man who is color blind or lacks color sense can use this. The absent minded professor type also might wear tweeds everyday, so would remind him to take it to the cleaners and pick another outfit.
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Deb said 9:34AM on 11-22-2007
and David, someone is probably saving up to get you this....
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Susan Marchese said 9:42AM on 11-22-2007
Are you kidding me?? Sad thing is there are actually people who will waste money on it. To those people..send me the $$ and I'll tell you a way to keep track of what you've already worn AND put the money to GOOD use.
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JoJo said 9:55AM on 11-22-2007
LOL The way fashion is today, most people have looked like they just crawled out of bed for the past five years. The bizarre color/pattern combinations...sorry, I guess I still live in a world where you don't wear slacks four inches above the ankles...the term "wader pants" comes to mind, and besides, they are unflattering on ALL women...or mixing plaid, paisleys and checks and call it coordinated, to me it looks like something from the Goodwill rag bin....so Bobbie, I wouldn't worry about clashing...EVERYBODY seems to be clashing.
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lilsugarangel410 said 10:27AM on 11-22-2007
I think this invention is Genius!! I had an idea sorta like this when i was little but it would require a very large room. But i think this is a very smart idea!! I meet for my first 4 classes one day and the other 4 the next, so i can never remember what i wore the previous day.
But if im goin to buy that, it better look better cus that sauna looking panel isnt cutting it for me, to put that in my room.
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JBJG24 said 11:11AM on 11-22-2007
DAMN, GOTTA HAVE IT!!!!!! THIS WAY I WILL KNOW WHAT SHIRT TO WEAR WITH MY JEANS EACH DAY!!! IF I CAN'T WEARJEANS WHERE I'M GOING THEN I DON'T GO!!!!
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JBJG24 said 11:15AM on 11-22-2007
WONDER WHAT THE HELL THEY WILL INVENT NEXT??????????????????
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JBJG24 said 11:16AM on 11-22-2007
BET THAT BUSH HAS ONE OF THESE!!!!!!!!!!!
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blkwidowspidr89 said 12:05PM on 11-22-2007
Wow... Ummm thank heavens for wearing the same color every day. It makes life easy for me. Gothic fashion = simple & easy = more of my brain for me to use on other things. Besides, a closet telling you how to dress takes away from your personal style and comfort; don't you think?
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Larry W. Bruce said 12:48PM on 11-22-2007
Now, if this smart closet came with the option of spewing out a parenting tip for the day, I would recommend Britney Spears purchase several of these.
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Erica said 1:28PM on 11-22-2007
It sounds really cool, yet stupid at the same time. Does it really work???
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Naomi said 2:03PM on 11-22-2007
Who ever created that must have been VERY bored... and must have not been offered the job they wanted b/c the employer must of thought they even dresses sloppy or wore the same thing 3 times in a row when he saw them....
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