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)
Joe Blow said 9:14PM on 5-02-2008
We already have too many immigrants here to begin with...HEY! here's an idea! Give them a video that teaches them not to commit crime, and how to get a job. Morons.
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hiko36 said 4:36AM on 5-03-2008
See... your comment was valid till you added the moron... Now you just look rude...
immigrant said 8:53AM on 5-05-2008
Along your learned path you might remember that your country was built on immigrants from all corners and being an immigrant to your country has been an extremely difficult transition, largely due to people like you, who quite evidently have no education and suffer miserably from complete self-centeredness (can you read that big word?). I dont envy you in the least. I am tremendously glad that I dont suffer from your condition and am extremely pleased that people like you are not part of my life.
I guess you go to church regularly too, right?
RIGHT!
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Bucky said 8:46AM on 5-05-2008
Immigrants are what founded this country, but the legal ones are paying taxes. Why is the administration considering allowing illegals to collect social security and disability benefits? Welfare? C'mon, that's not right. If people want to come here to find a better life, fantastic. But follow the rules, and deal with the crappy system like the rest of us.
Andi said 12:11AM on 5-04-2008
You can't even begin to compare the differences between immigration from Europe and the thousands of Mexicans sneaking over daily. For one, all immigrants were brought to Ellis Island, processed, and told they could stay since there weren't enough people to do the jobs needed, Mexicans just steal the jobs that the current residents need to survive. Wait, I don't know why they sneak over now, they can do that from their own damn country!!!!
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US Citizen said 11:54PM on 10-30-2009
Mexicans are "stealing the jobs that the current residents need to survive"? I'm not Mexican but I have to laugh at that comment. I didn't know people can "steal" jobs, I thought they were selected to attain it. Oh no! I have Mexican friends who are illegal and I can tell you that they work twice as hard as legal immigrants. What kind of employers don't want to hire hardworking people? And you want to know why they come to the US? It's because with the same amount of effort (work-related) in Mexico, you get a much better pay in US making life in the US easier. That being said, quit your complaining and work for your money.