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 2)
Rachel said 2:25PM on 10-24-2008
I know it is easy to Oprah bash, but she has given me so many wonderul thoughts, ideas and products that have enhanced my life. I just saw her show with the woman who had a stroke and how she changed her life and priorities after. So inspiring.
I recently watched another Oprah where she said 80% of women wear the wrong bra size and I was one of them. I had lost a lot of weight and did not know what size I was. I went to Nordstrom's and got professionally measured and was suprised that my back was smaller than I thought. By wearing the right bra my figure now looks better. I love Wacoal bras.. a little pricey but worth it.
I am vain so I love to stay fit and look young. I drink tons of water wear sunblock (the cvs brand is great) and wear smartsole anti-cellulite insoles that cause you to burn more calories with every step. I bought them at http://www.smartsole.com and used the coupon code that I read about on the Oprah site (great for tips!) SMART15 and got 15% off.
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Jan said 4:13PM on 10-24-2008
Where did you buy the Wacoal Bras?
Karon said 2:57PM on 10-24-2008
You know, I like Oprah. I've known her (via tv) since she began as a newscaster in Baltimore way back when. However, although I respect that she has opinions about politics and books, etc. I don't understand why so many people act like lemmings and follow her lead. I think for myself on the issues of politics and books and they don't always dovetail with Oprah. Jeez when did the American public stop thinking for themselves????
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Eva said 5:26PM on 10-24-2008
People stopped thinking for themselves when liberalism took over.....................I also remember Oprah from Baltimore in the 70's and 80's. I didn't like her then, and I don't like her now.
Karla Clouston said 3:11PM on 10-24-2008
Orah has always suggested great things that I've found more than helpful in my life! The bra segment was greatest thing I've ever heard. I had spent years in the wrong size and type! No wonder everything looked like that ( you can use your imagination)! Thanks Oprah
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karen balfour said 5:28AM on 10-25-2008
We think Oprah is fantastic. I have been watching her on TV for years.
You go Oprah!!!!!
We love you in Scotland
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karenbalfor said 5:27AM on 10-25-2008
Oprah is brill!!!!
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Ohne Dich said 3:34PM on 10-24-2008
Gag me. Everyone takes this woman's opinion as "gospel truth." Please.. Let's learn to read things ACTUALLY worth reading. As for voting, vote educated, don't vote for someone just because some woman on tv with more money than you'll ever have, tells you to vote for this guy.
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Jgask said 4:53PM on 10-24-2008
Ohne Dich.. Although I am not a huge Oprah fan one has to admit she has helped thousands with some of the info that is on her show. I think Oprah would be the first to tell people to use their own opinion's and judgement to make decissions on not only voteing but books and countless other area's. She does have a relativly high IQ as does the person she endorsed for predident and again I think she would agree with you "don't just follow her as gospel truth but read and educate yourself". Again I am not a "follower" of her but when she has a program that has info that interests me I tune in and have usually been pleased with what I learned. She is a self made woman / billionare. Free Enterprise, I thought thats what people like you liked. And how many countless others have used money, fame, power to influence the masse's. LOT'S of them thru out hiistory. Lighten up.
Janet said 4:47PM on 10-24-2008
I too have been watching Oprah from the beginning. Over the years she has become someone that I can relate to that has the same feelings as many other female out there. She shares her toughts and ideas with her audience and she is a very deep spiritual person. I believe she is real and not fake like so many other celebrities out there. I don't believe there are people out there voting for Obama just because Oprah is. I would hope people would vote for whom they believe will be a better President. I also know that Oprah is voting for Obama not because he is a black man, but because she knows he will be the better Pesident then McCain. For thoses of you who believe other wise you really don't know the true "Oprah". There were alot of women I heard who stopped watching Oprah and cancelled their subscription to her magazine all because she told everyone she was backing Barack. Its your loss that you don't watch her anymore and no one elses. How inmature people can be is beyond me but thats a typical women for you.
I'm a white female who happens to agree with Oprah concerning Barack Obama however if she was backing McCain, I couldn't see myself not watching her show or cancelling my subscription to the "O" Magazine. That is just ridulous to me. I think if more people were like her the world would be a better place to live.
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Cheryl said 12:40PM on 10-25-2008
Oprah has lost the respect she once had. Now that she is sporting past lives and all that out there spiritual stuff her influence has lost its punch. If the inexperienced Obama makes any huge mistakes her career with plummet with his approval ratings.
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Judy said 5:10PM on 10-24-2008
Whoopie Goldberg pitched the Kindle on the View MONTHS ago.
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psdietcoke said 5:51PM on 10-24-2008
I love The Oprah show and watch it when something special may be on, like the "bra" segment. Her promotion of certain books has also inspired me to read some that I may never have picked up otherwise. Basically, Oprah is a very influential women. The bad part about her declaring her support of a specific presidential candidate is that there are too many "followers" that would vote for Sylvester Stallone or John Travolta if she suggested it-LOL.
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Carol said 6:15PM on 10-24-2008
I can't stand Oprah. She is so self absorbed and self important...do we really need to hear about all her best friends...Maya Angelou, Tom Cruise, Maria Shriver...her Legends Ball?!?! She has gotten terrible in the past few years, she won't even let guests finish their sentences...she asks experts a question then finishes their sentences like she knows the answer...I am SO sick of her!
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mstina62 said 8:50PM on 10-24-2008
Jealous,ha?
gigi2116 said 8:48PM on 11-08-2008
Carol, I feel the same way that you do. I respect and admire her for her accomplishments in business and her spirit of giving; however, she doesn't have a degree/license in every area of everything! I could do without Oprah! And I am a black woman
anti oprah said 6:29PM on 10-24-2008
This woman's ideas are great, if you want to be a lifeless, mindless Oprah freak. She has done nothing for us, but made ridiculous amounts of money off of you, selling her useless self help products and ideas. She is a shark. You Oprahlites are minnows. Keep on letting her suck you in. She's just like a televangelist. Give me your money for my healing water and you will be saved. Vote for Obama and all your problems will go away. She only endorses those that will increase her ludicrous wealth. You will never see her come to your house and renovate it. He charity is small in comparison to her wealth. You live in poverty while she sells you on her dripping wet sales pitch. She is just a $#!+ salesman with samples in her mouth. Thank God for real books, real people that are trying to help this country, and anyone that boycotts this evil devil in disguise woman.
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MICHAEL said 1:47PM on 10-25-2008
EXCELLENT POST !
Brynn said 6:42PM on 10-24-2008
Karon: I don't understand why so many people act like lemmings and follow her lead. I think for myself on the issues of politics and books and they don't always dovetail with Oprah. Jeez when did the American public stop thinking for themselves????
Brynn: Maybe many of these people are not "dovetailing" with Oprah - maybe they truly like or need something that she's recommended. Nothing wrong with that. There have been many things she's touted that I didn't need or want, so I let it go, but there have been things I have needed or wanted. It depends upon what it is.
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Lee Anne said 7:01PM on 10-24-2008
I'm glad you ladies have time to sit on your sofas, eat bon-bons and watch Oprah. You're giving that woman way too much power and it has clearly gone to her head. Think for yourselves, geez!
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