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 2)
Brad said 11:34AM on 1-31-2008
Please, give me a break. You guys were on a roll, but now I see you too have an agenda. You can say nothing bad about Mr. Sajak's blog if rated on the same scale as the aforementioned people i.e. (Spelling, grammar, incoherence) But if Mr. Sajak says something that you disagree with he hits the list. Very poor indeed, you almost nudged readable, but alas missed the mark far and wide by showing your bias, only because Mr. Sajak disagrees with you on a jacked up political issue. A blog by a celebrity telling me; how many trees i must plant a year, what car I may drive to feel good about myself, only wash my bedsheets twice a year, and I'm going to hell if I drive an SUV is probably more sane in your eyes, yeah, go with it. For those who wonder, read Mr. Sajak's blog, and then read the other blogs they've lumped in this (Avril, Rosanne etc.) see if it's not just sour grapes over issues.
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Gonzo said 6:46PM on 2-01-2008
Gimme a break! Who the hell are YOU guys to attempt to discredit Sajak because he's better informed than you are on "Global Warming." When you dumbasses can satisfactorily explain how mankind is responsible for the melting polar ice on MARS, then I'll start to believe that we can somehow affect a normal 1000 year climate cycle. You Politically Correct mental midgets!
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Tom said 5:53AM on 2-03-2008
It's about time a celeb. stands up and says this is a bunch of crap.Anyone who would listens to Al Gore and his B.S. has problems anyway!!!!!!
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Anne said 7:08AM on 2-03-2008
Obviously Alon Avdi has an agenda...and it stinks like partisanship. Avdi, I can't take anything you write seriously, now. Your's is a name I shall remember in my future literary pursuits.
It's amazing how people today think they know what weather was like 200, 400, and 1000 years ago. Egotistical fanaticism.
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Bryan said 8:13AM on 2-03-2008
I like Pat Sajak a lot more now that he DARES to write the truth. How very "unPC"
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Larry Guglielmi said 8:26AM on 2-03-2008
I bet you guys are surprised right- wing guys like the commenters like those above are even reading your article. Well we are the same people who are not going to your movies anymore either. Try making the connection.
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Cate said 8:36AM on 2-03-2008
Now this really IS Bush's fault. lol
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Becki said 9:11AM on 2-03-2008
Just a bunch of sour grapes...Pat's is the only one that makes sense...From The Politically Incorrect Guide to Global Warming,
There is no "scientific consensus" on global warming
Climate is always changing – with or without man
The Medieval Warm Period was significantly warmer than temperatures today – and was a golden age for agriculture, innovation, and lifespan
Most of Antarctica is actually getting colder
Hurricanes are not getting worse – our tendency to build houses in their path is getting greater
Many big businesses lobby for global warming policies that will increase their profits – and our costs
The media only recently abandoned the "global cooling" scare
The real agenda behind the "global warming" scare? A massive expansion of government control over the economy and our lives
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jodi said 10:01AM on 2-03-2008
I've never been a Pat Sajak fan, but I truly admire him for having the balls to speak up about the global warming B.S....I am sooo sick of the hype and i hope al gore freezes in hell.
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Bob LeBlah said 10:09AM on 2-03-2008
Good for you, Pat.
The global warming scare is an wealth redistribution scam. Because the US is "bad", other countries want us to spend our money on giving them "green" infrastructure, and then spend even more money on buying "carbon offsets" from them because of our ongoing badness. And our government is on the brink of signing on to this BS. Let the free market decide what energy is worth. Stop pouring money into the pockets of dictators who slaughter their own citizens.
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Lynda said 10:14AM on 2-03-2008
Good for Pat to have the courage, in the face of the tornado strength winds of the global warming crowd, to tell the truth. BAD for you to pick it up as delusion. He and MANY, MANY others who actually look at FACTS and SCIENCE, and can add 2 plus 2, believe the same thing. A delusion, I think, can still be described a obsessive thought which is unresponsive to rational discussion and unswayed by facts or reality. That's the global warming nuts. Lynda
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DWC said 10:36AM on 2-03-2008
I just followed the link to the Sajak blog and read 10 of his "Sajak Says" commentaries. They were all very well written, thoughtful, reasonable and humorous. There were absolutely no rants, personal attacks, curses or unfounded extravagant claims. I was a little confused as to why anyone would consider this to be anything other than a very smart and interesting blog until, WHAM, I had a sudden insight. I believe that the reviewers problem with Mr. Sajak is this: every time he discusses Global Warming (GW) he acknowledges that there are other sides to the issue. Even though he has strong opinions based on reading and research he never fails to point out that many others disagree or have conflicting ideas. He is stating, flat out, that the debate is not over. I can see where this would create very hard feelings and anger from someone who has all the answers and cannot tolerate discussion. The reviewer must be a Democrat.
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Edward Krol said 10:53AM on 2-03-2008
Every time it gets really cold I wish to have talk with the international guru on global warming Al Gore but he is not to be found. He is either holed up in his mansion which uses enough power that could heat up small town or travelling in a private jet to some conference on global warming. So, though I was never Pat Sajaks fan, I am one now. I happen to agree with Bob that this global warming scare is a wealth redistribution scam designed to destroy US economy.
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Mark said 10:50AM on 2-03-2008
Way to go Pat ! That's fantastic that someone in Hollywood has realized that the liberal media is telling it's own "truth" and it isn't true. The author of the article certaainly has made their viewpoint clear. Pat you just jumped up several notches...
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L Clancy said 11:21AM on 2-03-2008
I'm not one who typically reads blogs, but this article (and the responses in particular to Pat Sajak's blog) piqued my curiosity. I followed the link.....and found Pat's blog to be absolutely delightful. Well written, honest and refreshing in this day and age of everyone jumping on the latest "bandwagon". Who knew the affiable, warm game show host was so thoughtful and intelligent, and right on in his writing! Keep it up Pat!
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nancy said 11:26AM on 2-03-2008
I loved the "Pat Sajak Trivia Gems", almost won but I'm not a TV or movie buff. And, this blog was very well written. Although I don't agree with everything he wrote, the bit about Gore leading everyone to a new 'way of life' was hilarious!
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Beverly said 1:49PM on 2-03-2008
Way to go Pat, some sense from a celebrity. I think it's all the hot air in Al Gore that is bad for this world.
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Lee said 11:44AM on 2-03-2008
Amazing. Celeb. like you spend all their time telling us what is correct and what is note. And even host a show awarding "themselves" best actor/supporting actor etc. Your egos are way out of control. Pat stood up for what he believes. I guess with egos such as yours it never crossed your mind {small as it is} that it could be you who is wrong.
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Sa said 11:48AM on 2-03-2008
You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.
I was highly annoyed while reading this article, but reading all the comments has made me come to the realisation that the media has not yet convinced the public that snow is black.
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Bruce Costanza said 11:49AM on 2-03-2008
Good for Pat Sajack! God, how refreshing it is to see a TV celebrity whose not another Al Gore Kool Aid drinker.
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