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)
Kathy said 5:14PM on 2-11-2008
WAY TO GO GRANNY!
CROOKS BETTER BEWARE!
WE 'OLD' FOLKS WORKED HARD FOR WHAT WE HAVE AND WE ARE GOING TO KEEP IT!
YOU WANT SOMETHING LIKE WHAT I HAVE, GET OFF YOUR LAZY BACKSIDE AND GET A JOB AND BUY YOUR OWN!
JUST REMEMEBER CROOK: SOME OF US OLD FOLKS ALSO OWN GUNS!
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Lori Van Norman said 5:16PM on 2-11-2008
Go Granny!!
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rvrgal44322767 said 5:21PM on 2-11-2008
Just because we're getting older does not mean we are easy! Way to go Grandma. It's really ashame that younger people pick, or try to pick, on older citizens. Hope they caught that b...... that beat up that older woman in NYC. POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!
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Dan Lemmens said 5:30PM on 2-11-2008
He may have gotten off easy. I may be 60 but I have a third degree black belt. I would have killed him with the phone, and I would not expect God would let him call back.
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tom said 6:28PM on 2-11-2008
i guess he's lucky granny did not have a gun!!
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P0858 said 5:53PM on 2-11-2008
YES!!!!! Way to go Granny!
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Bob said 6:15PM on 2-11-2008
We have seen a Lot and are not afraid of Death !! Go Fellow Elder
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Caide95 said 6:35PM on 2-11-2008
Dan Lemmens, you go!! My grandparents arent that fit but I am so proud that older people can defend themselves... lucky for my grandmas tho-they have some HARD canes!! lol How hardmust that ladys celly be anyways??...
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Thelma Packman said 6:34PM on 2-11-2008
I sleep with my 38 special ever night and this Old Granny want hesitate to use it (~ o)
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dminerv said 6:52PM on 2-11-2008
At last some good news! My good old shotgun resides by my bed and I know how to use it ...
beware you young bucks who thing elders are not able to defend themselves. Way to go, Grandma!!
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DICKSATEN said 6:47PM on 2-11-2008
They obviously haven't heard the proverb: Age and Treachery will overcome Youth and Agility!
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Linda said 6:57PM on 2-11-2008
You go, Granny!
I hope she beat some sense into that young thug.
Older folks have something these idiots don't - wisdom and nerve.
Yes, Kathy is right. Some have guns and know how to use them - well! :) Kick some butt, Grandma!
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Isabella said 7:16PM on 2-11-2008
Good for that Granmom !
A lot of thieves are now using this ploy. They turn off the front light, and then when the homeowner opens the door to see why its dark, the thieves rush in.
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aqua2772 said 7:01PM on 2-11-2008
Go old lady! This is part of the reason why everyone needs a cell phone...including the elderly. :)
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autofill said 7:02PM on 2-11-2008
GO GRANNY, GO GRANNY, GO GRANNY GO !!!
YOU GO GIRL !!!!!
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StephanChuckNorris said 7:09PM on 2-11-2008
Way to Go Granny! Pround of you!I've been Teaching Multiple Martial arts,Including Grandmaster Ji Han Jae's Hapkido for 28 years now! I am trained of the knowlege of 8th Degree Black Belt in the past 34 years,5 time us,3time national/international & 3 time Winner at the World Championships! as Recient as 2000.So keep on keeping on granny! You should Talk with my Senior Black Belt Granny at 67! Karen Gigikos from Minnesota,She has has had some expieriences,with other women in there forty's,it is Suprising what some people will Take For Granted! You can google my Senior Black Belt for added advise if you like!,Google her! God Bless! Always,*StephanChuckNorris Stenz/international Celebrity Double Singing "In Thee eyes of the Ranger" lol.
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G.L. said 7:24PM on 2-11-2008
She should have gotten his attention with a 44 magnum.So it would have knocked her down.At least SHE would have gotten back up.
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Warren W Wagner said 7:29PM on 2-11-2008
Probably another crachhead trying to get drug money. If the government isn't going to keep crackheads off the street's. Maybe we can help reduce crime and stimulate the economy at the same time. Buy a gun with your government stimulus check.
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BlackBelt Granny karen G said 7:44PM on 2-11-2008
I am so proud of you granny. us grandmas need to know what to do with people like that. well I am 67 years old and a black belt started at the age of 66 years old and now I am also a brown belt in another black belt. going for my 2 black belt. I have had a few woman try things on me. they did not get any where.I have been teaching at the seinor centers self defence with my martial arts master stephanchucknorris stenzel.I started taekwondo at the age of 64. so I know us seinors can do it.with the way the world is now days I believe seinors and every one should know some self defences, look me up, and goolge under karen gigikos. and see what I have been doing. good going grandma.I know taekwondo. happkido, and some nave seal.
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kbhret said 7:45PM on 2-11-2008
Remember...
The Greatest Generation
produced THIS generation!!!!
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