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 $15.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Kdwg said 6:22AM on 7-02-2008
Give us ALL the facts here. You told us the name of the guy with the car, tell us the name of the car stereo shop.
We need all the necessary info you halfway reporting doofs!!
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Ron said 6:33AM on 7-02-2008
Hey Kdwg, where did you learn to read? They did tell you the company name. It is The Car Stereo Company look them up they have a web site for the Los Altos store.
ballerinstaller said 5:48PM on 7-02-2008
if you read the little links attached instead of mouthing off right away the name of the shop is "THE CAR STEREO COMPANY"
Joel said 8:24AM on 7-07-2008
I'm a BMW owner and have to wonder why he didn't take it to the dealership? Mine works perfectly, even gives me great detour routes around heavy traffic areas. Installed by BMW.
Robert said 10:29AM on 7-07-2008
I read this story in another article, supposably it was a Circuit City
CrashMN said 11:29AM on 7-07-2008
Kdwg, did you even read the article??? It clearly states that it was "The Car Stereo Company". That is the name of the business tht did the install. Maybe before you reply with a doofus remark, you should re-read and make sure you know of what your spewing??? OK??!! Ok.
rockthatbox said 1:23PM on 7-07-2008
12.000$!!!!!!! SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE SLAP!!!!
Steve said 7:13AM on 7-02-2008
Come on guys, how about the rest of the story. As a mechanic with nearly 25 years experience, I'd like to know what was done buy the instulation that messed up the heating system (hard to believe). It sounds like the problem has already been checked by a BMW dealer so what was wrong. It wouldn't be the first time someone claimed something caused a problem when the problem already exsisted.
Reminds me of the lady that claimed installing a car stereo caused her transmission to go out at a shop I worked at several years ago.
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d gross said 7:38AM on 7-02-2008
you can buy a 1996 M3 for less than the damage amount. I think this guy is a scam artist trying to make a buck from a business that is trying to make it during these hard times. He should be ashamed of himself
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erj210 said 9:58AM on 7-02-2008
That's why you go to the dealer, or a larger store with a reputation. These small companies often do not care, and do not have a reputation to uphold.
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Ron said 2:27PM on 7-02-2008
Just to remind everyone, a judge did hear all of the facts from both sides and sided with the car stereo place. That doesn't mean the judge made the right decision, but he apparently felt that Brandon had not met the burden of proof to hold the stereo place liable.
I think the giveaway should have been the amount of damages he was claiming. $12,400? Really?
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John said 3:43PM on 7-02-2008
Why would anyone go to the trouble and expense to install a permanent GPS in a 1996 car? The portables are truly portable these days and, when the '96 BMW is ready for a new owner, can be used in a newer car or sold on eBay if no longer needed. A permanent GPS in a '96 BMW doesn't even enhance the value of the car. What an idiot!
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N M said 9:47AM on 7-07-2008
I agree with John about portable GPS systems. They are very affordable and transportable I have one and will never have one installed in my vehicle. For one thing, if the GPS ever breaks, then you have to tear up your dash again to get it out for repair. 12K of damages is a bit much, but again all of us do not have all the real facts of the story we all read in here.
tamarya said 1:10PM on 7-07-2008
i know god he already owns a bmw and now he is looking to get richer
carmama said 3:49PM on 7-02-2008
I am a repair shop owner. This is the reason I don't install aftermarket stereos and GPS systems. There are too many things that can go wrong. The vehicle owner should have taken this to the dealer to begin with. I see so many people that buy used BMWs, Lexus, etc that like the status but don't have a clue how temperamental the vehicles are and how expensive they are to repair when something goes wrong.
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kirk said 4:11PM on 7-02-2008
Must of been some kind of idiot judge to let them get away with it. The judge is probably the owner of the stero company.
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Brayden said 4:29PM on 7-02-2008
Revenge... works every time!
I had my car washed last fall, the weather was nice so no excessive heat on the windshield. When my car came out, the windshield on my new car was smashed in, like it was hit with something. They tried to say the heat on my windshield and the cold water was to blame. I said no way, and to just call your insurance and cover it. That is when they started cussing me out in Arabic and being indignant. So, I gave them a second chance to calm down, be fair, and take care of the damage. Still, they were rude and called the manager over to try to intimidate me. I just smiled, didn't pay, and left. As I was driving out I saw them all high-fiving each other; I smiled ever broader then... Late that night I bought 3 big tubes of crazy glue, went to the car wash, and glued every single door lock, including the gas locks, and the inground service gas tank locks. The next morning, at 6:30 AM, my best friend and I parked my car across from the carwash and sat on the hood waiting for the "show"... And indeed there was one... First to arrive, the jerk manager... I watched with great pride and laughter, as he tried to open one door after another. After a few frustrated cell phone calls, several minutes later came the owner who had cussed me out. Cars were coming in now to be washed; to no avail, as everything was locked up, and a locksmith wouldn't arrive until 9:00. Finally at 9:25 a locksmith arrived. It would costs $200 each to drill out the locks and replace them on commercial business doors; there were 6 doors. The in ground service gas tanks needed special handling, and that cost was well over a $1500. At this point I could barely contain myself; my best friend and I were laughing so hard I thought my parents could here us in New York!!! It was now time to go, we had an appointment to get my windshield replaced, but not before we beeped the horn at the manager, gave him a thumbs up, high-fived each other and drove away...
6 doors and gas locks... $2700, business lost ...$500, the look on the stupid managers face... 'FLIPIPNG PRICELESS!!!
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carl said 6:29PM on 7-02-2008
you know i'm sure it is nice to get revenge but it did not fix your windshield. You should of been more responsible ans sued the jerk owner and manger in court or let your insurance company handle it. If you would of been caught you could be doing prison time for such a stupid act!!!
this is me said 9:28AM on 7-07-2008
RELAX CARL...
Granted, it wasn't a choice move on his part, but wow give this guy some kudos for inginuity. Not a lot of planning but greatly effective. He could have lost his temper like most people and went ape-shi* on them. Yeah he could have been on video doing this and went to jail and had to pay for damages to his car AND the locks he screw up plus punitive damages, but if this was his satifaction and he got away scott clean...so be it. I'm sure you would have handled it differently also
CrashMN said 11:30AM on 7-07-2008
Oh my, but you are a little devil... I laughed pretty hard myself.. I would never have the balls to do that... good for you. Not that it was the right thing to do, but, I guess if you felt better. Way to go.