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.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
David said 2:29AM on 9-13-2008
Mc cain mc cain dont beleave in airmark what so bad about bringing home some bacon for is people if he cant do that for his people how is he going to do it for the country just remember he was a reject that is a man of the past and will not do noting for anybody he just want to be president to fulfild is dream and dont care a damm about people I am not educated and I know that So I dont beleaved educated america will be fooled by Mc cain remember Mc cain spell BUSH
Reply
wwdukeman said 11:43AM on 9-19-2008
I believe you better go back to school and learn how to spell
David said 11:53PM on 9-17-2008
Mc cain mc cain dont beleave in airmark what so bad about bringing home some bacon for is people if he cant do that for his people how is he going to do it for the country just remember he was a reject that is a man of the past and will not do noting for anybody he just want to be president to fulfild is dream and dont care a damm about people I am not educated and I know that So I dont beleaved educated america will be fooled by Mc cain remember Mc cain spell BUSH
Reply
Elva Stewart said 2:53PM on 9-10-2008
This has nothing to do with McCain. He is his own man.
He is also the most qualified man to lead our country. "Let's stand together America.Let's keep America strong, and protect it from terrorist invasion". Vote McCain 2008
From a concerned ex- democrat
Dave said 10:05AM on 9-10-2008
After reading your post...you are not kidding about your "education"....most likely when you vote for NObama....your kids (hope you don't have any)...will likely get the same "education" you have...LOL!!!
wwdukeman said 11:46AM on 9-19-2008
I believe you better go back to school and learn how to spell
David said 2:58AM on 9-12-2008
I said the same thing about Bush 7 years ago no body remember
I said be careful of chain in the Bush no body remember?? they are going to elect another guy who just want to be President And as for you Dave
remember I told you so The man is just a fake He is a flipflopper he is his own man of yesteryear just dreaming and no vision can't you tell
WAKE UP AMERICA VOTE OBAMA the man got vision
Reply
Bill said 11:41AM on 9-19-2008
Yes, he has a vision alright and it is to destroy our constituion and then destroy our country. He wants to change us to the union of north America and give our sovernity to the UN. There is also a very good chance that he is still a muslim.
loub said 2:22PM on 9-19-2008
Could we please stop useing the black term "baby daddy, and baby momma". It just shows lack of education and proper grammer. What you really mean to say is "childs father or childs mother". Lets grow up and speak ENGLISH...............you moron...This is what we will get with Obama......more ignorance
Reply
benji said 9:49AM on 9-29-2008
I agree with David, and guess what dummies, I do have an education. And I am educated enough to know that McDuck is not the right person for office. He's an old man, ready for the grave, a washup, resting on his laurels, running on his "past", not his present. I too accomplished many things as a young man but you don't see me talking about how great I "used to be"! Get with it Dummies, look around at what is left of our country. You know damn well that if things get worse(which they will) you will be the first to get booted out of the country or turned into our servants(history has yet to repeat itself) and I aint talking black people. As for loub, you better start learnin "espanol"! laters :)
Reply
krystal said 4:26PM on 9-29-2008
I think the term 'baby daddy' is used to mock the low-class situation that Palin's daughter is in.
Reply