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)
bmheiar said 12:27PM on 11-04-2008
Maybe it is because Wal-Mart is on that "family values" bandwagon and only sells "edited" CDs.... That is why I do not buy any CDs there. Because I prefer unedited original versions of the CDs. I know, because I worked for Wal-Mart for almost 12 years, before I finally found another better job that my degree actually applies too, several years ago.
It is also because, it is so easy to download, legally & illegally, the music & albums from the internet. But that will change here shortly if MPAA/RIAA get their way.
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Jo-Ann Fillion said 12:53PM on 11-04-2008
Wal-Mart has cut down on a very important item--customer service. Heck, they've been cutting down on that for years, and will no doubt continue to do so. They've gotten too big for their britches and forgotten that Sam Walton built Wal-Mart on good customer service and employees being treated with respect by their supervisors. Lee Scott must think Wal-Fart can get by with the support of big investors and stockholders alone. He'll wake up to the fact one day that happy employees and satisfied customers are the foundation of any business that wants to stay in business.
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Kimberly said 4:01PM on 11-04-2008
I agree with you 100% ! I stopped shopping at WalMart a long time ago. Unfortunately, Mr. Customer Service has been dying for a long time everywhere but the Mom And Pop stores. KMart is even more helpful with less employees. My first job was with WalMart. I stood up for my self-respect and got fired. I didn't think I was asking to much to be treated with respect. Just a thank you or a please. That's all. But they fired me instead. Oh well. I have since gone on to be a successful business woman, working for myself.
I guess I need to thank WalMart for showing me how NOT to treat my customers and co-workers! LOL!
If this comments sounds a little all over the place, I just woke up. LOL!
rich said 9:30PM on 11-05-2008
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Rosann said 3:05PM on 11-04-2008
JoAnn, you are so right. You took the words right out of my mouth....U Go Girl.............
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t said 4:19PM on 11-04-2008
i work for walmart and it makes me sick 2 see all the cutbacks there doing in the company sam walton is rolling in his grave right now they dont hire fulltime anymore no raise after 90 days anymore and now no discoun t card until u make it past ur first 90 days they even modle themselves after target its getting pathetic maybe they just need people at the top with fresh ideas instead of stale thinking 2 help find ways 2 reduce cost that dont have many harse effects on its workers they are the ones who help them earn there big bucks the little people get little
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ALEX said 6:51PM on 11-04-2008
BUT WALMART DOES HAVE THE CHEAPEST PRICES STILL ON MANY ITEMS
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AJ said 4:55PM on 11-04-2008
Man...I can't afford Blu Ray, HD, or whatever. And I LIKE CD's...I can afford those.
But that isn't the point. The point is that Wal-Mart is pure, unfiltered, 100% of your daily allowance, concentrated evil. I will continue to say this until either me or Wal-Mart ceases to exist on this planet.
I hope it goes first, though.
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Jennie said 7:31PM on 11-04-2008
Personally...I dont think u should be allowed 2 get a discount card till after 90 days...because u get one then quit...not right---u need 2 prove yourself 2 the company first....I feel seasonal help should not be allowed a card either....as for the raise after one year works for me...this December would've been 3 years if I hadn't quit back on May 15th. The company did no wrong to me, it was the store I was in that I didn't care for...I had transfered from a Great supercenter down to a regular WMs since it was closer to home and hated it at the non SC. Im going 2 reapply after the holidays are said and done... (to return 2 the SC)
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johnpaulsabugo said 10:40PM on 11-04-2008
i don't like blue rays, no matter what, id never want to get those disc. they cost a lot. whats the difference? quality? to get more quality, your using more money. the economy is going down. its the dumbest i dea wal mart has ever had.
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Keith said 11:02PM on 11-04-2008
I don't think any big box store is any better to work at. No matter how you slice it, I can't live on $6 an hour.
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Ruth said 1:44AM on 11-05-2008
I had to reply to some comments. I am sorry that those of you who are unhappy with your job at wal mart work in a different store than I do. My store is a small SC. I have worked there a year and received 3 raises, I started well over $6. an hr. Yes we may have varying schedual hrs. but at my store we are treated with respect by all other emplyees and supervisors and most importantly by our customers. I was lucky to get hired here when we went from walmart to super wal mart because most employees here were at the other store for any where from 10 to 25 yr. I was hired when the store opened to fill the openings (new) I am due for another raise in Jan. and you also forgot to mention the profit share you get after 6 months. also part time employees get insurance benifits after 1 year. The discount card is just a small plus for working at walmart.
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WILLIAM FARMER said 4:31AM on 11-05-2008
I WORKED AT WAL-MART TOO AND IT REALLY SUCKED MANAGERS ALWAYS THOUGHT THEY WERE BETTER THAN EVERYBODY ELSE. YOU ALWAYS HAD TO DO OTHER THINGS THAT WHAT YOU WERE HIRED TO DO BASICALLY GETTING PAID THE SAME AMOUNT TO DO TWO OR MORE JOBS.. RIDICULOUS MAYBE EVENTUALLY THEY WILL GO BELLY UP.. AND THE SMALLER STORE WITH QUALITY MERCHANDISE CAN FLOURISH AGAIN. I HAVE NEVER BOUGHT ANYTHING IN ELECTRONICS THAT I HAVENT HAD TO RETURN BECAUSE IT WAS A PIECE OF S HIT!!..QUANITY INSTEAD OF QUALITY SHOULD BE THERE MOTTO!!
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Bill said 11:17PM on 11-05-2008
Many of today's stores earn the nick-name of "Little China". It's just that Wal-Mart wins the name hands down! CDs or Blu-Ray - time marches on and products will change with the times. I wish the stores would stop supporting China and buy the things that are made in the U.S.A!
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