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)
Robert Alexander said 6:38AM on 8-15-2008
It is time Detroit learned a lesson here. 30mpg is not nearly good enough! 60 mpg is where the competition for future business begins! Let's produce our way out of a nightmare economy. Come on Detroit. Yes, you can produce vehicles that compete with the new Honda generation and do it better and more efficiently. Just use that good old American ingenuity that has been suppressed for so long! Create small, commuter cars that get in excess of 200 mpg (equivalent) just as small companies already are doing. Bring back the EV! concept car and improve it with new technologies (batteries) and lighter components. Yes, we can. Elect Barack Obama who will give incentives to industry replacing oil as a fuel.
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The Pepto Pimp said 11:27AM on 8-15-2008
Detroit had their chance about 30 years ago. The SUV will be a late footnote in story about the death of American Auto Makers.
Ryan Trevisol said 7:15AM on 8-15-2008
I'll take two.
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Jon said 10:11AM on 8-15-2008
What is the deal with all the *insert word*-killer names? Why does every competitor to a product have to a "product killer". Can't it just be competition?
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Marq said 1:30PM on 8-15-2008
But incorporating blood and murder just make it so much more US-friendly.
Michael said 7:09PM on 8-15-2008
America We Are Being FOOLED!!!!!!
We all hate the point where people think they are saving the earth by buying hybrids. But in fact they are destroying it because in 5 or so years they have to bury a battery that is so toxic the US government won't even let the big three build it here. All batteries are built in Japan and Japanese owned for all cars and SUV's made. Whom ever buys a Hybrid needs to consider the fact that the toxic battery in their auto will have to be disposed of in the land that they their Children and Grand children live in. Wait for Hydrogen engines please. You can kiss your Children Goodbye and buy from Japan you fools. These batteries will poison our land and our waters!
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lakersin2025 said 2:28PM on 8-15-2008
We'll just launch the batteries into the Sun you idiot. Duh.