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.
_thumbnail.jpg "Vintage Keyboards")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
TPSD said 2:29PM on 2-28-2008
I agree that texting is absolutely stupid while driving or for any reason anytime. However, I don't see the need to not allow teens that have proven they can be responsible to drive a car. Since the inception of the car (make that post WWII) cars are a part of the high school experience and working for them taught us all who had to buy our own cars and maintain them the valve of money and savings. It is true that more familys with higher incomes, ( I live in N. California) give their kids cars that are too powerful and are too expensive. This is the parents fault of course so I do agree with the comment made above. But the fact is that its not practical to punish the masses for the stupidity of the few that go to far to spoil their children. Believe me when I say that what comes around, goes around and the foolish parents who do not watch their spoiled children on cell phones or speeding with have serious lawsuits when these kids hit or kill someone in a car.
Reply
hunt said 8:15PM on 12-14-2007
So why are you giving cars to teens anyway? I think most parents do it b/c it's convenient for THEM - so they don't have to arrange transport or be the carpool. Wise up people - teens don't need cars! They especially don't need phones and cars. Let em walk or let em stay home and clean the house! Give them responsibility that leads to freedom, not freedom that leads to irresponsibility! My kid won't drive or ride with another teen til she's 18. If she wants to date then he'll date her at my house only! Sure she can go places supervised by adults, but not without. Wise up people and remember what you did everytime the adults were gone. Keep your kids close and safe - they'll grow up soon enough, then they can do what they want. 18 is NOT grown up! Put forth the energy it takes to RAISE and guide and supervise your children. I know we're all busy, but get other adults in on this and we can all help each other. Just think about it.
Reply