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)
kunzsp said 2:31PM on 7-26-2008
My story may not be appropriate here but I hope you print it
because to me it is an e-mail scam and I am still upset over it.
For the past year I have been sending e-mails to an NBC anchor
and they were suppose to be kept private. This week I
discovered to my dismay that 7 or 8 of my emails to him were all
over the internet, which I did not appreciate and I felt violated.
Moral of my story is be very careful who you send emails to. because
they may not be for his eyes only.
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John said 10:16PM on 8-29-2008
Being a classic car buff I often go to Ebay or Craigslist to search for classic convertibles.
When one reads a listing that seems to good to be true then it usually is not real or a Phishing expedition. I think everyone has read the you have millions waiting to be claimed overseas scams from time to time but this one plays on the deceased spouse.
One has to wonder what kind of person trolls for money and possibly snags someone who doesn't get that not all people are trustworthy.
Here is the reply to a recent search on line.
Here is the Bait..... :-(
Part one a post was online for an older convertible with no phone.
I replied to get a phone number and address:
Reply:
Sorry for the late reply. The car is in excellent running and body condition, no flaws on it or any other mechanical problems. It has a clear title and it will be signed and notarized on your name as soon as the payment will be completed. This was my husband's car who passed away 4 months ago and it only brings me bad memories. I only hope to find a good home for it and to be taken care of like he did. I believe $3,900(not negotiable) is more than a fair price.
I will tell you a few words about it. '63 Ford Falcon, 2bbl 289ci automatic transmission, new bright red paint, in immaculate condition with only 89,300 original miles, VIN number: 3h15f197448, rust free, no scratch and hasn't been involved in any accident. This car needs nothing. I want this transaction to go smooth as I am caught in the middle of some very important events and have little time at my disposal. I already have tons of emails so I hope you understand that I need to sort them out. I will take in consideration only those buyers who are really interested in buying the car, to be sure that I don't waste my time with endless discussions. So if you are interested please email me back and we'll go from there. Dority Morrone
More photos here: http://s433.photobucket.com/albums/qq51/doritymorrone
This looked fishy but I thought lets email one more time and ask for a phone and address to see the car locally and match up serial numbers to title etc.
Here is the hook.....:-(
As I told you in my first e-mail, I lost my husband in an accident 4 months ago and I was badly injured. I'm in Santa Monica now for treatment. Before leaving I had prearranged the deal with Reliable Shippers http://www.reliable-sh.com so my presence isn't necessary. The car and all the papers (title,etc..) are in their possession ready for delivery. The shipping company will hold the payment until the car is delivered and inspected. You will have 3 days to test and inspect it. If it's not as described or if the title is not clear or whatever problem you may find and we can't work it out, the car will be returned and your money will be refunded. If you accept it, the papers will be signed and notorized. Shipping is included in the price. Quite simple and fast. So if you want to purchase the car please go to "Get Your Car Now" link and follow the instructions.
So Dority or Jim or Mike etc. etc. Scam Address: doritymorrone@aol.com shame on you for Phishing and trying to scam.
Remember folks most people are good and the rest are scum and wants we get past that it all seems okay.
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P Y said 11:59PM on 9-01-2008
This one got me folks because I had just recently used UPS... I don't know about access to my personal info because it was on a tablet I rarely used but the virus attacks or appearances are constant. I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to get rid of it. "trojan" gets listed as well as some kind of "kit". I'm alway cleaning.UUUGGGHHH!
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Brandi said 7:45AM on 9-20-2008
In the '80's, Using UPS as the decoy, I sent out multiple boxes marked "COD" (meaning here's your product now where's the check?) to at least 75 clients who either failed to pay their existing balances or had overdue accounts well past 9 months.( These clients were able to pay, sent "gentle reminderstc.). This was the usual method for delivery of parcels clients requested on a regular basis. What was so unusual about the UPS /COD shipments scam was that $500+ boxes once opened were found to contain nothing but rocks. Was it legal? The court ruled in my favor. Was it fair? No. So I'm sharing this story with you: DON"T TRUST ANYONE. It matters not if its UPS or XYZ Clinics. When someone NEEDS something of value (the amount collected met the payroll for 6 mos. an amount that kept the clinic open ) the act is impersonal. They don't need to be "liked", so don't let down your defenses and end up asking "Why would they do something so mean?" It took me 6 mos planning & 6 mos observation B4 the day the boxes went out. Your best defense then is to THINK. Pause...Think...Stop. ( In this situation, the receptionist should have gone to the files and located the matching invoice #. No Match? Refuse the box. None were refused. All 75 said they "trusted the UPS guy" ). Protocol changed from then on believe me!
Imagine the dirty tricks (scams) I would be capable of today? I'm not a "bad guy", I was just an intern who was facing a financial crisis. But if I found myself in the same setting today, I would not hesitate to put my creative energy to work. Like I mentioned herein, I wouldn't care whether you liked me or not at this point. You have something I NEED.
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Ann Southern said 11:05AM on 9-10-2008
I have not received any spam emails in the last 2 weeks and I
know a new connection was to send me an email from Dermatage
Beauty Cream and Walgreen's is usually in spam but they notify
me of prescriptions ready. How do I get back to getting spam
emails so I can decide what to keep/read?
Reply