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.
_thumbnail.jpg "Vintage Keyboards")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
CelluliteQueen com said 11:55AM on 9-06-2008
LOL! There is one in every crowd! Hmmm... I wonder what they were eating? heehee! - www.CelluliteQueen.com
Reply
Coach said 12:13PM on 9-06-2008
Once again, the Obamination is doing all the talking instead of listening to the wisdom of many years from Biden. Another blown opportunity for the windbag to learn something. But wait, he already knows everything.
Reply
KC said 12:36PM on 9-06-2008
Having a piece of LIBERAL Pie? I wouldn't vote for these 2 Racist,Plageristic Clowns if no-one was running against them, America don't make the mistake of putting these two in our highest office, now is not the time!
Reply
Tracie said 1:10PM on 9-06-2008
If I ever met Obama, I'm afraid I'd probably spit on his very expensive shoes. I wouldn't vote for them either. Of course, I'm Republican, so I'd never vote for them anyway.
I wouldn't give obama the time of day.
Reply
lg316 said 1:40PM on 9-06-2008
Im glad there's only 4 racist clowns commenting on this innocent but funny pic. Just knowing you all are either republic or redneck gives me further assurance that the day of a racist "white America" shall soon be over!!!!
Reply
kc said 2:27PM on 9-06-2008
If you remember, your boy OBAMA'S pastor of 20 years,quote Not God bless America but G.Damn America, and his wife is now mysteriously proud to be an American for the first time in her life, just what was she before that???
lg316 said 3:01PM on 9-06-2008
KC How would you like it if, you worked you butt off, move into your dream home, pay taxes like every other american; only to watch your dream home burn to the ground, simply because you "black."
How n the hell can you be "proud" of a country of white elitists that teaches poor and middle class "euro immigrants" to hate a group people just so you won't gang up with them and demand your piece of the pie. We're all struggling at the bottom of the barrell together while they sit atop their riches cracking up even at you. What do you get, I know, the right to say, "im white." I love America, but Im surest hell not proud of her!
Reply
Barry Greenberg said 8:45PM on 9-06-2008
Michelle Obama's house was burned down ????, I do not think so, There is racism in America and that is sad (from any side it spews from) But I am proud of America anyway, whhy... Because it is the greatest Country that there has ever been inspite of all the wrong it has done, the good far outweighs the bad
lg316 said 3:06PM on 9-06-2008
Just let it be known. Michelle Obama spoke to soon. America will bite her in the butt before its all over. Racism is still alive and well!
Racism= blacks and middle and poor whites scraping the bottom of the barrell for the crumbs of the elitist whites.
I'll be proud, when I can live where i choose, eat where i choose, send my children where i please, and enjoy the common courtesy the majority enjoys.
Reply
JERIC1963 said 9:27PM on 9-06-2008
Now, will you please tell me where the hell your from that, YOU can't eat where you want, or live or any of the other BS your putting on that BLOG? And, I am all for change! But, what is he going to change? Besides my taxes. Or did I miss the big speach where is going to make our lives soooo much better? Am I going to have to attend Rev. Wright sermons or his church? And how well do you know this man? Have you read his books? Nevermind, I can tell by your writing how intelligent you are.
TJ said 6:27PM on 9-07-2008
@JERIC1963: Do you happen to make more than $250,000/year? Didn't think so.
Obama's going to LOWER the taxes of everybody making less than $250k by about 3x as much as McCain would like to.
I know McCain is giving out free stuff for blog trolls, but please check your facts before you troll next time.
herb said 5:58PM on 9-06-2008
PLEASE GET YOUR MIND OUT OF THE GUTTER
Reply
robert basler said 5:24PM on 9-06-2008
Hey, thanks for linking to my Oddly Enough blog. That is an amazing picture, isn't it? Please come back often, and bring your friends.
best regards
Bob Basler
http://blogs.reuters.com/oddly-enough/
Reply
CM said 11:18PM on 9-06-2008
Augh, everyone is so hateful in these comments. This is why I'm starting to dislike politics. It turns normal people into merciless, carnivorous monsters... People take everything people say out of context or make assumptions based on ignorance. "OH HIS NAME IS HUSSEIN, HE'S A RACIST, OMG." Um, no guys. A baseless assumption. And I doubt everyone is spewing patriotist 120% of the time.. I'm not ALWAYS proud of my country. Not EVERYTHING it does is something I'm proud of. Eh, I guess I don't believe something unless it's obviously stated. Oh, and the pastor thing... If I have a whore for a friend, does that make me a whore by association? No. Now, everyone's gonna be like "OH NO THAT DOESN'T COUNT GUYZ." But eh. Baseless assumptions bother me. [/end rant ]
Reply
lg316 said 12:36AM on 9-07-2008
Geez! whats the use commenting on this site. Listen, (*&^%^) I didn't mean Michele Obama Nation's house burned down. I was speaking in general terms, of blacks in particular. To the other id...box, I was speaking in the cases of Dennys and the Cracker Barrel restaurants, who blatantly discriminate based on color. Geez, whats the use! See what I mean by unedumacated. Don't be an idiot, thats sarcasm, I mean uneducated. Lol!!!
Reply
Janet said 1:17AM on 9-07-2008
What a bunch of Racists. You know when OBAMA/BIDEN are sworn in on JANUARY 20th, all you RACISTS should pack up and leave the UNITED STATES. We will all be better off with out you. AND YOU KHOW WHO YOU ARE! SO START PACKING!!
Reply
justaguy061 said 10:38AM on 9-07-2008
Interesting how the "liberal media" has ignored an interesting comment made by John McCain during his acceptance speach.
He said that he never loved America until he was a POW. He never did say why he din't love it until then.
Of course no one will dare to ask, the Republican spin machine will go into overtime calling the person a terrorist or something.
Attack the messenger, not the message.
Reply
CARL said 1:02PM on 9-07-2008
palin and her church says they can cure homosexuality? shouldnt they start with a learned behavior such as being a whore and having children out of wedlock. before they start with differences science says people are born with?
Reply