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 3)
Susan said 10:01AM on 1-29-2008
Charity begins in the home. Why can't these rich guys help the poor here by creating jobs,better education and health care right here in the USA?I am tired of them jetting half way around the world when they are blind to the plight of our citizens? You make me sick Bill Gates!
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Julia said 10:08AM on 1-29-2008
Susan, because it's much more fashionable to go global nowadays. There are no brave politicians, celebrities... out there who will go against the norms of "helping others and ignoring your own"...
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Oscar said 4:34PM on 2-29-2008
We have way more oppurtunities here to make it, some of us just choose to go the wrong path. People choose to be poor and on welfare instead of getting a job and working for it. I understand some cases like kids but other than that we choose what we are in the US as in third world countries there's real poverty. So I see nothing wrong with this, it's his money and he can do what he wants with it.
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genolx722 said 2:36AM on 3-02-2008
i believe that oscar is completely wrong. everyday people like me don't choose to be lost in the system. i was unemployed for a week...downsizing at walmart...and in that week got sick and had to have 4 kidney surguries for which i owe 75000. i'm a 22 year old married father that can no longer go to school because of wage garnishments. i believe that we should take care of our own first.
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George said 3:20AM on 3-05-2008
Ohh please ... "the Poor at home" ... The homeless in our country" ... "it's for the children" Give me a break ... There are many more oppritunities here if one "wants" them ... Quit making our citizens dependant on "Freebees". Quit crying you and suck it up ... Get on with your pathetic little lives that you made by your own choosing ... Downsize the government and get rid of all the Free programs. Free our people of their depenancy of the government. Just say NO ...
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Roberta Raulston said 4:56PM on 3-05-2008
This is a growing trend in big business using our money to help people who never seem to get any better. Not to mention they are using the money we invest in their stock. Stock prices would not be so high if they would stop sending free stuff to Africa. Please don't bother to tell me how heartless I am I am getting tired of throwing money (tax) down a rat hole in poor countries while it only make their leaders richer and richer. It is my understanding Bill Gates wants to use the UN for this project LOL
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Keysman1059 said 5:24PM on 3-05-2008
Susan, Julia and the others that think more should be done at home . Well, there is nothing wrong with helping our own Americans, but have you checked out what Mr. Gates Microsoft, Warren Buffet and the rest HAVE done for the us here in the USA? Check your facts and you will be surprised and I hope appreciate. So many here in America also stand around with their hands out...just waiting for the handout and expect it, then complain when others are helped that DO appreciate the generosity of America.
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marilyn said 8:14PM on 3-05-2008
AM I SURPRISED,,,,,,NO HERE IN AMERICA OUR FARMS LANDS HAVE SHUT DOWN. OUR FARMERS , WHATS LEFT OF THEM HAS A HARD TIME. OUR GOVERNMENT, HAS SHUT DOWN OUR FARM LANDS. AS WELL AS LETTING ALL AMERICAN JOBS GO. THE WRITING IS ON THE WALL . IT DOES NOT TAKE A ROCKET SCIENTIST TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON.... OUR GOVERNMENT WANTS TO BREAK AMERICA. AMERICA WAS THE MOST INDUSTROUS AND RICH COUNTRY. EVERYBODY WAS WORKING. THE COUNTRY WAS DOING GREAT. SO WHY? DID OUR GOVERNMENT SEND OUR JOBS AWAY? THINK ABOUT IT? A FORM OF CONTROLL. THEY ARE PREPARING AMERICA FOR THE ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A COMIC BOOK STORY. BUT ITS NOT. LOOK AROUND. LOOK AT THE HOMES PEOPLE ARE LOSING ALL OVER AMERICA. THERE LOSING BECAUSE THERE IS NO DAM JOBS. IF THERE IS NO JOBS....THAT MEANS NO FOOD, NO MEDICAL. AND THINGS WE NEED TO LIVE. EXAMPLE : LOOK AT THE GOVERNMENT AS YOUR MOTHER. AND YOU DEPEND ON HER FOR FOOD TO EAT. AND A WAY TO LIVE. WHY DID YOU MOTHER ( the government) take away the jobs and food source..... this is what our government is doing. WE DO NOT HAVE THE POWER TO KEEP THE JOBS HERE IN AMEICA . BUT OUR GOVERNMENT DOES..... WHY ? ARE THEY DOING THIS. THINK! ONE WORLD GOVENMENT. FORM OF CONTROLL..... SAD TO SAY BUT WE WILL HAVE TO DEPEND ON THE GOVERNMENT FOR A MORSEL OF FOOD. WAKE UP AMERICA.....
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Al Reviello said 7:00PM on 3-05-2008
There are 30 million known Diabetic in the USA.The research foundation could use a couple hundred million, after all this country is where most of Gates money comes from.Why is it that other Countries get donations but we are always on the back burner.Ther are a lot of diseases like cancer that could use a donation.
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Ronnie Hinson said 7:06PM on 3-05-2008
Being a cattle farmer, I see more farmers annually leaving the business due to the rising cost. Pastures are being replaced with pine seedlings. Drive across the USA and see the reduced number of farms that once thrived to feed our people. Now, we cruise the meat markets looking for a cheaper import, not really sure about the quality. Maybe if we help others, they will export us something to eat while we sit behind our computers, with our stomachs growling for a piece of beef.
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Marc said 9:01PM on 3-05-2008
Here you go George, you said it right. People must quit depending on goverment for everything. After all I am paying for it, and don't get to claim you on my tax returns. Why should I support you? I had 2 jobs most of my life to get to where I am, so can you.There is more opportunity here then any other country. It is just a matter of getting off your butt and go to work, even if you have to have 2 jobs to get ahead.
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John Dill said 7:45AM on 3-06-2008
Just so everyone understands the agricultural equation. Fertilizer is required to grow crops, fertilizer has almost doubled in price since last year as it's tied to oil. Unless we start using other sources like nuclear and coal converted to liquids, a lot of people are going to go without food. China certainly understands what not to export with a billion plus people to feed. I would give the money to Steve Jobs to address the problem, he has the creativity and drive to really make a difference.
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Vicky said 8:10AM on 3-06-2008
I am married to a farmer and have been for 30 years. These people should take a look at our industry here in America. Just because we use expensive equipment doesn't mean we don't need help. Do they think we just walk into a dealship and pay cash. Our profits are pretty much non-existant. All money goes back into the crop for next year. Everyone seems to think farming is get rich quick business. Think again, we do it because it's what we love, what we know, or are in to deep to get out now. We get by better than other countries because we know how to plant gardens and put up food for ourselves, sew our own clothes, do our own repairs, or just plain do without. Most farmers are in debt up to the yahoo. But because this is America most people think we don't need help. Unless help comes the future of family farms are in great danger. Young people are being drawn away, they see the debt and go elsewhere. We are at the mercy of God, too much rain, to little rain, hail storms, hurricanes, and then we can't get decent prices for our crops. Gas and Diesel prices are killing what little is left over. So Gates look to this country if you want to keep eating and wearing clothes. You need us.
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John said 8:45AM on 3-06-2008
come BIG BILL and all the other big spenders (Oprah) take a look at the foreclosing rate in the states. Look at what the loan companies are doing to the AMERICAN DREAM
Help here at home first lets get oil prices where it pays to go to work and not that we have to pay the cost of gas and oil that other people force on us . THANK YOU
JOHN
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ponygirl said 9:58AM on 3-06-2008
I hope he takes a look at what he might be able to do for the people in India who are dying by the day of starvation and pollution. We, in America, have our right to vote for our leaders. If you keep voting for the same people expect the same results. No one here is dying in the streets. We are all having a wonderful day even if it doesn't appear to be perfect. Instead of criticizing something good. Go do what you can here in your area. Go to a retirement commununity and visit the lonely. Go volunteer to coach children. Go teach some to read etc. Don't go over what you think you are owed, go do something good for someone else than you will be better off.
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ray said 10:16AM on 3-06-2008
HEY BILL GATES HOW ABOUT THROWING THAT KIND OF MONEY AT THE GUY FROM ENGLAND WHO HAS BEEN GOING FROM TOWN TO TOWN SEEING AS MANY PEOPLE W/O INSURANCEAS POSSIBLE WITH HIS BAND OF VOLUNTEER DOCTORS,DENIST,NURSES,SURGENS ETC EVERY WEEKEND.LISTEN TO SOME OF THEIR STORIES AND YOU HARD NOSED PEOPLE MIGHT EVEN SHED A TEAR.THE MONEY WOULD BE ABLE TO GIVE THOUSANDS OF GOOD AMERICANS THE HELP THEY NEED SO DESPERATELY AND CANT AFFORD,CHARITEY REALLY SHOULD BEGIN AT HOME.PLEASE GIVE ME YOUR COMMENTS ON WHY YOU SHOULDNT CONSIDER THIS SUGGESTION.
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RAY said 10:28AM on 3-06-2008
HEY BILLY GATES IM THE ONE WHO WROTE YOU ABOUT THE GUY FROM ENGLAND HELPING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE EVERY WEEK END,FORGOT TO LEAVE YOU MY NAME ITS RAY
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Abby Pet said 11:06AM on 3-06-2008
I agree with others here! Why is it the rich send their money into other countries when so much help is needed in our country. What is wrong with rich people they forget how to think sensibily? Send me one percent of that money and I would be overjoyed and spend it right here in the USA.
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j.b said 12:53PM on 3-06-2008
THEY ALL WANT US POOR TO DO THIER MANUAL LABOR JOBS ,JB
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twotall2242 said 2:03PM on 3-06-2008
Its interesting how people throw out the word "welfare" all the time when it involves the poor and ethnic populations, but no one EVER says the term welfare when the government gives hundreds of million to farmers NOT TO PRODUCE goods. Then its called a "subsidy." Wake up and see there is more WELFARE that goes to farmers than anyone else in this country
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