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)
Devynn said 12:28AM on 3-30-2008
at least the maytag guy got to work again! :)
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RICK BADMAN said 9:00PM on 7-23-2008
16 MORE GODGETS GONE EVIL:
(1) MARITAL NUT CRACKER
In the hands of angry wives, no man is safe.
(2)STRANGLE ME ELMO DOLL
He looks and sounds like a lovable Sesame Street character until you let him hug your neck. With the force of the Terminator, his hands can reduce a size 16 neck to that of a soda straw.
(3)RESCUE ME FIREMAN ACTION FIGURE
He is indeed a fireman. Turn him on and he can incinerate a house in minutes with his blowtorch or reduce the house to kindling in an hour with his ax.
(4)ROLLS OVER
This luxury car has the tendancy to flip on its side when making a turn at 10 mph.
(5)THE LASER POINTER OF DEATH
At last, teachers have something to scare students straight. It may look like a harmless laser pointer. But when turned on to maximum output, it becomes a death ray that can slice through a bully as fast as a sharp knife through melted butter.
(6)ROBO PIT BULL
This robotic dog has a vice-like bite and will give nightmare to the bravest postal carrier.
(7)TWEETY VULTURE
If this Tweety bird says he saw a puty cat, it was probably before he burps and says, "And he was delicious."
(8)MY LITTLE RABID PONY
You can tell by the foaming mouth and the angry snorts that this little pony is not a little girl's best friend.
(9)ATOMOGUN
You only get one shot with this gun because one shot can take out 100 city blocks and leave them uninhabitable for years.
(10)WRONGCO'S SLICER
This device can slice carrots, celery, arms, legs, and heads off of necks.
(11)MY LITTLE M-1 TANK
It may by 1/10 the size of the real thing. But it packs enought firepower to level a clubhouse where kids you thought were your friends are holding their secret meetings which you're excluded from.
(12)NUTSY NAZI ACTION FIGURE
It still thinks WW II is going on and kills anyone who opposes him.
(13)BARBI GONE BAD
Give her a tiny marital nut cracker and Ken better watch himself around her.
(14)BED-O-NAILS
The razor sharp nails may not be the most comfortable. But once you lay on it, you'll never get off.
(15)THE REAL CHARGER
This electric car comes equipped with a CD player, air conditioning, and a fully electrified seat that fries those it deems unworthy of driving the vehicle.
(16)VEGO-O-MATIC
It may look like a hat. But wear it in the sun and sweat and it shrinks so much that it can squeeze your brains out your ears.
Thankfully these things don't exist. But I'm sure some angry wives would love to have the first gadget.
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