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.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
undrgrndgirl said 7:13PM on 2-07-2008
a kiwi is also slang for a new zealander, duh!
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JBJG said 6:22AM on 12-13-2007
he should have known that two girls was too good to be true!!
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peppielepue said 6:27AM on 12-13-2007
It must be that time of the year. This past week end, a man left a bar and headed home. He ended up being found at the Settler's Bank, naked and asleep. Seems someone didn't lock a door to the bank and the man thought it was his house. He entered the bank, saw a couch, stripped his clothes off, laid down and went to sleep. A worker found him on Monday morning.
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JBJG said 6:28AM on 12-13-2007
first to post a comment on this!! did i win a prize? maybe AOL will get their comments section today!!!
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ML said 7:16AM on 12-13-2007
The weirdo's always come out at Christmas time! Every year there are stories of people doing odd things, getting caught, and then making headlines. At least this incident didn't hurt anyone ~
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tnipnad said 7:24AM on 12-13-2007
gives a whole different perspective on the marketing promise of "free delivery."
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Richard Devine said 7:54AM on 12-13-2007
At least he didn't have any concealed weapons.
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Harley said 8:58AM on 12-13-2007
I thought a kiwi was a small bird or a fruit ???
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Jacqui said 9:24AM on 12-13-2007
Haha "misusing" a phone?
That's a new one.
Guess they had to call it something.
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CLMARTINEZ said 9:58AM on 12-13-2007
ARE THESE THE BARE FACTS?
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WILSON said 10:10AM on 12-13-2007
AS ONE WOMAN TOLD ME YEARS AGO, "WHEN THE BOTTOM HEAD STARTS THINKING, THE TOP HEAD STOPS." I THINK THIS IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF WHAT SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT.
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andiprice said 10:17AM on 12-13-2007
My friend and his wife were preparing for Christmas Eve company and, enjoying the better part of a bottle of wine while preparing, he thought it would be funny to toy with his hurried wife just bit. He went to the basement, stripped naked and tied a huge, red bow around his chosen gift for her then walked around to the front door and rang the bell.
While downstaits decorating his johnson, the anticipated guests had arrived and were just inside the front door so they answered the door for their hostess while she was hanging up their coats.
Imagine my friends surprise when he saw his wife's roommate from college at the door.
...could have been worse. It could have been his mother.
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Paula said 10:31AM on 12-13-2007
what a bonehead!
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JT said 10:37AM on 12-13-2007
Paula.... Thats boner head!
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MascMan said 12:58PM on 12-13-2007
I would've done it if it were 2 guys. That would be a hot scene. But one can only dream. It's a good thing no charges were filed...but this guy should've known better. What is a Kiwi anyway? The story said that when he walked in, there was a very shocked kiwi.
Thanks for reading.
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david said 11:49AM on 12-13-2007
New Zealanders must be very modest people. Happens here everyday (almost)
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Bob Brooks said 11:47AM on 12-13-2007
Another great story for a cocktail party.
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Bob Brooks said 11:49AM on 12-13-2007
Another great conversation starter at a holiday party.
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Steve said 11:59AM on 12-13-2007
To bad he didnt get some.
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KaatieeBoBaatiee said 12:43PM on 12-13-2007
whats a kiwi...?
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