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)
JBC said 12:26PM on 6-20-2008
ReCellular offers global cell phone recycling services: http://www.recellular.com/recycling including a free tool to erase personal data from your phone before you recycle it -- http://www.recellular.com/recycling/data_eraser/default.asp
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joe said 11:09PM on 1-14-2008
And to think that the eco guys think everybody will make the time to dispose of flourescent lights if they don't do that for cell or other items what makes them think that they will do that now for the lights they will force us to use
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Drock said 2:32AM on 1-15-2008
I have space to recycle Anyone wants to gather them up and send em to me I am located near boston.
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Drock said 2:34AM on 1-15-2008
My email address for anyone wants info Deritch1@aolcom gather them ill take em for free.
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Chris said 8:33AM on 1-15-2008
Sprint/nextel provides free recycling of old phones. All you have to do is drop it off to a sprint location and they will take care of it for you. It also benefits education.
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Debora Benacchio said 1:32AM on 1-22-2008
I believe there are other companies that have a list of items with their model numbers, if your camera, cell phone etc is on the list, they will tell you how much they will pay for it, They then send you a postage paid envelope to be used to put all the items you are sending.
When they receive the items you will receive an email with a tracking # so that you can follow your equipment processd, when all the items are determined to be the same as you described, they will send you a check. I have used them many times and have never had a problem. http://www.cellforcash.com/index.asp
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Alice said 4:56PM on 1-22-2008
Liberty Tax Service throughout the country collects old/used cell phones. For every cell phone kept out of the landfills a 100 minute calling card is given to a soldier overseas so they can call their loved ones back home. This is a wonderful program!
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momma bear said 7:40PM on 1-22-2008
Give your old cell phones to the Girl Scouts!! Also your old ink cartridges. They recycle them to make $$. Granted, it is not a lot but it helps.
Thanks.
Or.. you could give the phones to a women's shelter. They use them to keep women safe by programing them to only dial 911 when they need help. Contact your police station for more information. Most shelters do not want strangers around.
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