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 5)
Michael L Kuhne said 6:18AM on 5-15-2008
Oh, my, what are all those poor advertisers going to do? They can't scream in your ear about the fine used car that was only driven to church on sunday while she owned it. They can't scream in your ear about deoderants, feminine hygene products or other such crfap any more. Now the car manufactorers and other loudmouths will have to shut up, especially that obnoxious creep about his "free money" book. Thank God for the British regulators!
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Mary said 7:19AM on 5-15-2008
About time -- for years I have utilized the "mute" button to the max -- when an advertisement comes on, I mute it. I became aware of the change in volume when my niece was very young - as a toddler, she would stop what she was doing to watch ads on television -- the decibel level changed just enough to grab her attention. That's when I started muting it.
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Greg Gebhardt said 7:58AM on 5-15-2008
This texhnology has been available for years to be added to our own tv sets at the time of manufactor but the advertisers have paid to not have it installed
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Marlene McElroy said 8:08AM on 5-15-2008
I'm a senior citizen, but my ears are still fine. Loud commercials have driven me away from some of my favorite programs (and therefore also from their advertisers). My pets have even begun to leave the room during the cacaphony!
Enough already! Unless I desperately need that item. I refuse to patronize the noisemakers.
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James said 8:07AM on 5-15-2008
Back in the 70's Congress passed a law saying commercials couldn't be louder than the program. Obviously the FCC is not enforcing that law. Probably for political reasons. The big companies and advertisers are lining the politicians pockets and bank accounts with PAC money.
That same congress is the one who tells the FCC what to do.
As usual the taxpayers and citizens are the losers when it comes to Congress representing us as opposed to special interest groups.
I guess if you reflect back and think about the most important event of the 20th century might be; a new medicine, landing on the moon, the computer...none of the above. Actually it was the MUTE button on the TV remote.
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James said 8:08AM on 5-15-2008
Back in the 70's Congress passed a law saying commercials couldn't be louder than the program. Obviously the FCC is not enforcing that law. Probably for political reasons. The big companies and advertisers are lining the politicians pockets and bank accounts with PAC money.
That same congress is the one who tells the FCC what to do.
As usual the taxpayers and citizens are the losers when it comes to Congress representing us as opposed to special interest groups.
I guess if you reflect back and think about the most important event of the 20th century might be; a new medicine, landing on the moon, the computer...none of the above. Actually it was the MUTE button on the TV remote.
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Fox said 8:14AM on 5-15-2008
Eh? I'm sorry, the words to this report is too loud! I'm just wondering if the advertisers are going to be forced to tone down their audio ads, will they retaliate by closed captioning in CAPITAL LETTERS?
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joann s. said 8:12AM on 5-15-2008
i have an additional problem with commercials besides being louder....some commercials hurt my dogs ears and she howls in pain and we have to dive to mute the commercial....only certain commercials do it...e.g. campbells soups... among others......i dont know if it is caused by high frequency or what....would love to find a solution to this problem...and my dog would certainly appreciate it.....
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Walter F. Barber said 8:20AM on 5-15-2008
I propose that a law be passed that all audio transmissions (TV,DVD,TAPES,DISCS,.RADIO PROGRAMMING ETC.) be at a standard level. Let us change the volume to suit what we consider to be a comfortable level!
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Terry Conley said 8:36AM on 5-15-2008
Not only are commercials loud, they are getting longer with several advertizers in a row. We used to switch channels during commercials, but they soon caught on to this and most channels have the commercials on at the same time. In addition to all these tricks, they are waiting for the program to get underway before blasting us. Less commercials on the hour. Have you all noticed this?
Interestingly, when TV was first introduced back in the late 40s, a poll showed that the general public would not approve of advertizing on TV.
What happened? Noe the commercials are almost as long as the program. By the time the commercial is over, I sometimes forget what I was watching.
News Flash!!! Soviet missles headed for the U.S.........but first a word from our sponser.
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freddykrueger555 said 10:34PM on 5-15-2008
Three Cheers for British Regulators!!! We need regulations like that here in the States!! However, since the Republikans, in their orgy of deregulation, got rid of the standard that television operate in the public interest and got rid of the limits on the amount of commericals per hour of show, I would not hold my breath waiting for this to happen. Vote them out this year!!!
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K.P. said 8:46AM on 5-15-2008
Believe it or not...There is a control more powerful than the remote control, it's called self control. Turn the television OFF. Think of all the possibilities; you could go for a bike ride, sit in the sun, go shopping (spend that new goverment "boost the economy check") or take a nature walk and take the dog too. I realize that it is more difficult, but the rewards could be amazing! =)
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momma bear said 1:45PM on 5-15-2008
So true KP.
I gave up most TV watching long ago in favor of reading. I can't stand to watch the commercials. The shows are so short now because of the ads. I'd rather spend my time doing something other than waiting for the show to come back on.
Terry said 8:52AM on 5-15-2008
To K.P. I agree totally. I find myself reading more also.
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Mike said 8:54AM on 5-15-2008
I HATE COMMERCIALS
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Quinlivan said 8:59AM on 5-15-2008
I do not just press the mute button. I change the channel.Broadcasters. If you allow advertisers to annoy me, I shall vote with my feet, and tune in to your competition. If your competition is also rude, then I shall turn off the set and read a book. I do not cede anyone the right to enter my home and irritate me because some pervert with a psych. degree thinks that is how to trigger memory and manipulate spending patterns. NO! it triggers ANGER and this Irish American does not submit to abuse.
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Kris said 9:05AM on 5-15-2008
Now what will Billy Mays do for a living. Not that anything he was screaming about was all that great to begin with...
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jaguignon said 12:53PM on 5-15-2008
Kris, I know exactly who and what you are talking about! He and the guy with the book about free money from the gov. and the commercial about "I WANT MY MONEY AND I WANT IT NOW!"
momma bear said 1:46PM on 5-15-2008
So true! He was exactly who I thought of when the article mentioned loud commercials. :) When we are excited about something in our family we use our faux Billy Mays voices.
bernadette said 9:08AM on 5-15-2008
MY FAMILY,FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS ALL PUT THE TELEVISION ON MUTE WHENEVER A COMMERCAIL COMES ON....SO THEY ARE ACTUALLY LOSING BUSINESS FOR THE PRODUCT THEY ARE ADVERTISING...KEEP THE NOISE DOWN PLEASE.
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