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 1)
Joe said 10:26AM on 1-03-2008
idiot
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Jerry O said 11:31AM on 1-03-2008
people will jump on the tracks for things like books, hand bags, etc. It really seems to have more to do with being young and able then what is dropped. The jump back and forth is only about four feet and the average sixteen year old can do it with no problem. That said I wouldn't jump for anything, because you can just tell one of the MTA employees.
In addition, looking for all of the stories involving people doing stupid things to save something they value, just for the sake of reporting on the harm to those people, is sick and stupid.
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Constable Odo said 9:48AM on 1-15-2008
What the heck. Dropping an iPhone sounds like a good reason to jump down onto the tracks. The only one problem I see is that those giant NYC subway rats might try to fight you for it.
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Donna Jo said 6:11PM on 1-03-2008
Just goes to show you HOW materialisc we really are...Sad but very true...If you can't enjoy it or affraid of using it why have it....we put to much on the newest, biggest, latess items out there than we do on personal relationships..bet that guy wouldn't even smile back or talk to you on the street...
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henry said 9:02PM on 1-04-2008
it depends on the situation I won't exchange my life w/ things that won't last you can have another w/o risking urself that means they love things more than life.
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Hank said 8:47PM on 1-04-2008
You can replace a phone, not your life! Has anyone heard of insurance? I have it on my phone.
http://www.shoptechnow.com
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Sam said 9:06PM on 1-04-2008
hank you cant replace a puppy
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V said 9:05PM on 1-04-2008
I'd jump to save a person, but that wasn't a selection, so I picked "puppy."
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candie said 9:09PM on 1-04-2008
i picked puppy also.
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Eddie said 9:13PM on 1-04-2008
My cousin Becky is about to post a stupid response. Look out for it !
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mtprinting said 9:59PM on 1-04-2008
he should lay down on the tracks and make a phone call.
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IZ said 10:01PM on 1-04-2008
i would so do it 4 a puppy because all animals are awsome and they deserve it. They are so much more better then humans.
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Jamie said 10:25PM on 1-04-2008
Man, this guy has his priorities in the right place, huh? I would do the same for a person, I would hope. Why wasn't that a choice? Maybe Tim thinks a human life isn't worth as much as these material things.
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Intelligenceonly said 12:25AM on 1-05-2008
My thoughts on these stories won't really matter to many people, but this is how I look at it. Yes, the iphone is a valuable piece of property, but I would not risk my life for one. On the other hand; I would risk my life to save an animal or another human being. I can always replace a piece of equipment (inanimate object) but, I cannot replace a lost life. So my choice would be an easy one. Life over objects.
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KUUIPO said 12:31AM on 1-05-2008
I would have just let the darn train smash my iphone. My life is alot more important than that phone. A phone can always be replaced, but certainly not a life. The guy's obviously not that intelligent.
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Barry said 12:49AM on 1-05-2008
Dumb ass Indian.
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kd said 12:56AM on 1-05-2008
FYI, can't "insure" an iphone or blackberry with at&t for that matter. still not worth jumping on the tracks for!!! i have one,so BELIEVE ME, it's not worth jumping for!!! lol
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Mom said 4:59AM on 5-11-2008
I chose "puppy", because I am a real animal lover
and I couldn't just stand there and watch a puppy die, or a person certainly! But for inanimate objects that can be replaced,never! You can never replace a life!!
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Sully said 6:11PM on 1-06-2008
I would make the leap to save a human being or an animal....I would not to save a phone, camera, handbag etc......
Now IF the human was down there because they jumpped down to get a phone, camera, handbag etc...... well here is an example of Darwinism at work.
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