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.
Some genius has finally figured out how to take the business of selling pre-written reports to college kids and adapt it for adults. The new site, www.doctorsnotestore.com sells fake medical notes for about $38 that could then be used to excuse yourself from work.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
John Casy said 8:13AM on 8-12-2008
To bad people are such gutless wimps to let their employer demand a DR note.
I'm self employed for the pass 18 years. But before I started my own business and when I was so stupid to work for companies I would feel I'm doing them a favor deciding to work for them.
If I needed a day or two off I would just tell my boss I'm taking that time off. If I didn't get paid for it thats ok. Its only money.
I would show up for work every day and do a real good job. They learn they didn't have to watch me and I did work over time. Not because I needed the money but because the work had to get done.
I was a real pain in the AZZ at time. I would break the company rules and get yell at. They would threaten to fire me and I would tell them go ahead. These two bit jobs are all over the place. Once the company learns it can't scare you by threatening to can you then there helpless. Only two things they can do is put up with me or fire me. And because I was a good worker they won't can me.
Screw companies policys. They can be change or bent and boy did I bend them. LOL
Comments Hugs4ever2002@aol.com
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Alan W. said 8:35AM on 8-12-2008
Unethical, hypocritical, money-grubbing slimeballs.
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