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)
ken said 9:12AM on 9-20-2008
Well he said he goes on tour so obviously he has a ton of cash and for those that have the wonderful experience to have a loving dog that you are attached too you will do everything in your power to keep her'\ him healthy as possible for those of you who never had the wonderful experience of a loving dog bye your side. Best way I could explain who myself and most feel is look at them as your child then you will know how dog owners feel. So yes if my dog needed a leg or whatever and I had the cash /means to get it for her I will never even hesitate. Mine goes every place I go I had her certified as a service animal a few years back as I am a disabled veteran. I love my dog with all my heart and soul. I know she does also as when I leave were she can see me she rubs after me and when away she cries and waits by the door I left from.Get a dog from the SPCA and save a life and make yours better you will live longer and have a happier life
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Susie said 6:24PM on 9-21-2008
I agree Ken. I know that the arguements can go back and forth forever about whether this man should have spent this amount of money on his dog, but truely that point is irrelevent. It was his money to do with as he chose. Compassion for any living thing is a priceless gift. Animals were created to be our companions and to many they become part of the family. Do not place their value to us above that of a human life, but do not value them as if they were nothing. My pets make my life richer.
B. Weaver said 2:38AM on 9-21-2008
I am a dog lover too.. so I understand the story and Ken's reply. At the same time I have a client family who is in the process of adopting an infant who will needs prosthetics. They have applied to adopt a baby internationally, from a third world country. The infant was born without a leg. They are young, good people with no children and with very low income, yet they know there is a child who needs them. The adoption process and raising this child will be a lifetime of high cost. If
you could help this child secure prostheses, please contact me.
AJourney2001@aol.com. or 303 530-9124.
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tina said 10:29PM on 9-20-2008
Awww...Good for you Coal! I'm happy for ya!
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quinninnh said 12:22AM on 9-21-2008
ummmm, nope, wouldn't make that choice. I love my dog and he is my best friend but I have a higher level of respect for humanity. If you don't want to donate then adopt, go to an orphanage, see the pain and suffering in an orphanage or a woman's shelter, see children that need way more than a LEG. I think this was a self obsorbed act for your own convenience. It says everything about you that needs to be said.
http://adoptionnetwork.com/?GCID=GOOG&KEYWORD=adoption&gclid=CK3Dh_v265UCFQuXGgodHDfafA
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marlowe said 6:14PM on 9-21-2008
umm- rather than judge the relative merits of where people choose to selflessly distribute their money, why not be generally supportive of anybody that is not completely self-obsessed and gluttonously materialistic. Sure, 18K could do a lot in any public or private charity; people in the west could also stop having children and devote all of the money which would go into that care to 3rd world countries, environmental causes, research, you name it. But rather than assert the superiority of a cause because of your subjective interest, why not salute people who act out of compassionate motives, regardless of where those motives take them -- be it pets, child adoption, or the peace corps. Stop judging people according to your model of individual philanthropy or social responsibility and recognize and encourage acts of compassion empathy broadly. There is no one cause that is of highest civic importance; there is only a method of inculcating more compassion in people and encouraging empathetic behavior that will, in whatever expression, motivate more compassionate communities, both here and world-wide.
If you want to criticize someone, why not look towards the white house, and not responsible pet owners.
Matt said 9:42PM on 10-23-2008
"Coal, an eight-and-a-half year old hound had his left paw amputated because of cancer last year. He faced being put down because his other legs would be too weak to carry him."
I would definitely spend this kind of money on my dog if I had it were the same thing to happen to him. This dog goes everywhere with this man and you are going to sit there and judge him as you are because he didn't go adopt a kid instead? Or give HIS money to other people YOU feel are more deserving than his canine companion? The linked article says he is a music industry security guard so I'm sure he earned every penny of his money. He has every right to do whatever he damn well pleases with that money. Especially if he saves his dog's life. You were right with one point you made though. "It says everything about you that needs to be said." That it does. It says that he is an extremely compassionate man that cares enough for the life of this animal that he would drop close to 20k so he could keep living. If you are going to judge him on how he spends his money, then I can only assume that you live in squalor because you give all of your money to charities and orphanages. If you don't then shut your mouth, because I bet you wouldn't want someone chastising you on how you spend your money either.
dene said 8:34AM on 9-21-2008
I think that is so wonderful.I have a large pit/lab mix who was recently hit by a truck and as a result aquired some leg problems.If I could afford it I would spend whatever it took to increase his quality of life.
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Kerry said 10:16AM on 9-21-2008
wow, this really made me so happy. I am crazy about animals! I think this is just fabulous! More and More Doctors will be learning about this and giving their patients a chance of having a limb. I hope one day it will be free for all mankind. Wouldnt that be amazing? Its so important for people to donate to charities like this so a little girl or boy can have a brand new arm or leg.
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Lori said 10:16AM on 9-21-2008
B.Weaver Since when are "low-income" families allowed to adopt children? Especially those with high anticipated medical issues. Sounds to me like your trying to scam the people writing in this forum.
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Ryan said 1:37AM on 9-27-2008
As the person who is adopting the child who is missing a limb, this makes me have two sets of feelings. On one hand I think this is really great technology and I am glad to see this type of technology more prominent. People can spend their money however they want that is the nature of the society that we live in. I own two dogs and I love them, but this is stupid. Which leads me to my second feeling, 18000 is a crazy amount to pend on a dog when that money could be donated to so many other good causes. Dogs can manage with a missing limb people have a much harder time. My wife and I decided to adopt a few years back and began the process early this year, we are not rich we are not broke. But adoption is an extremely expensive process and will strain almost anyone's finances. We also elected to take a child with a disability. All of this is our choice and burden to bear. And we were approved by the state and federal government to finish adopting our son who will have a disability. For Lori, there are numerous requirements to adopt and not all of them require you to be in the high income category. Your response is ignorant and insulting. It is the same attitude that keeps children from being adopted. We do the best with what we have. Adoption is not limited to the rich. Adoption is for those who want to change the life of a person.
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Mark said 12:33PM on 9-21-2008
What a great story. You have to be a true animal lover to appreciate how far we will go to help our pets. Coal is one lucky dog!
To the person hijacking this thread by mentioning humans who are in need....It's Reg's money and he can do whatever he wants with it. His "respect for humanity" is every bit as great as yours. The only "self absorbed act" is you trying to rain on a happy ending.
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Angiebaby said 3:19PM on 9-21-2008
I am not, nor will I ever be wealthy (Although I am thinking about starting to play the Lotto!), but I do not begrudge the success of others who have worked hard and made a good living for themselves. It's Reg Walker's money, and if he wants to use it in this way... good for him.
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Anna said 1:47PM on 12-08-2008
Yes its a lot of cash and Reg earned each penny for this surgery. Coal is like our baby, and that was obvious that Reg will do everything to save Coal's life. Those of you who have kids, love them with all your heart would do the same for your babies if you had to. Coal is our baby and we love him as much as all of you love your kids. You can't just say that " its just a dog"
for you it may seem just a dog, but for us its a member of our family, and our baby.
Yes he could buy a nice car, or sort out debts on credit cards, but there are more imoportant things for him then just a cars and credits cards.
He was working hard for this and Coal deserves the best treatment ever. And as long as its possible Reg Walker will do the best for his dog, because it's his baby and he loves him to bits.
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Reg said 5:33AM on 12-09-2008
I spent the money on Coals leg because the operation was necessary to save his life
He would not have survived on three legs and I figured the most faithful friend a person could ever want deserved more than a lethal injection as a reward for his companionship
He has been my constant companion now for 8 and a half years and is my family
Because of the nature of the work I do, and have done, over the years, its never been conducive to having a family i.e. children so suggestions of adoption is a moot point
I've frequently spent months or most of the year away from home, so having children would not have been a responsible course of action
There are other factors here too
The surgery Coal has had is groundbreaking and has potential across the whole of vetinary/medical science
Coal actually has an implant in the bone in his leg with a coating that enables bone to grow on to metal
This amazing breakthrough was made by Stanmore International
The incredible surgical skill of Noel Fitzpatrick made the operation possible
Coals operation seems expensive because its unique and the first one of its kind
The hope is more dogs that are suitable for this type of operation will benefit from Coals experience and the cost will come down accordingly
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