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.
We've covered no shortage of Internet-related suicides, particularly the epidemic of student deaths in Wales, but we haven't seen anything like this before. On Wednesday, 19-year-old Abraham K. Biggs chose to end his life with an overdose of pills, and also chose to stream his death live on Justin.tv -- apparently while being encouraged by members of the bodybuilding.com forum.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
K. Parker said 2:16PM on 11-21-2008
I don't know which is worse? That the young people of this country are so emotionally sick that they resort to suicide while others encourage them and want to watch it? Or that no one seems to think that there is anything wrong with that?
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Hope said 11:54AM on 11-21-2008
Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid people who sit and watch and even encourage while a teen takes his own life and don't have the sense to call the police. What are these dumb bass, dimwits, nincompoops going to do if it were their own child ??????????????????? Somebody needs to post their mug shots so the public can see faces of these dumb asses and shame them..
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c said 12:04PM on 11-21-2008
I think those people should be charged with murder. I am appalled.
rhondondo said 12:17PM on 11-21-2008
i would absolutely love for EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE FREAKS to be hunted down, arrested, and taken to jail - forever - for their part in watching someone murder himself. i am disgusted to the point of nausea that empty, soul-less, puppets of SATAN would sit and watch - let alone encourage - such a heinous thing.
however, i have to say that REPORTING STORIES LIKE THIS will indeed encourage more of the same. shame on you AOL. SHAME ON YOU.
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philip katcher said 12:45PM on 11-21-2008
STOP wit hthe SATAN crap. it is just STUPID people doing STUPID things. they SHOULD be charged with aiding a suicide.
I wish you bible thumpers would stop invoking GOD or Satan for everything and just charge people for being responsibile for thier own livesand their own actions.
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kaymadi said 2:44PM on 11-21-2008
I am totally appauled at the fact that people were actually egging him on to do this. How sick is that? I lost the love of my live in 2007 as a result of suicide. It is no joke and the people that thought it was should somehow be punished. My heart goes out to the family and i am truly sorry for your loss. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
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tacotime said 1:10AM on 11-22-2008
the ONLY person that should be punished is dead....
You should be happy for him, he got what he wanted...feel sorry for that people who die that DONT want to die......
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CHERIE said 3:28PM on 2-06-2009
this is such a sad story. What kind of people encourage a person to take their life...people are so heartless and self concerned. He was crying for help and the all ignored him, I agree that the people watching are screwed up and sick. If you are suicidal PLEASE seek help, most situations are not as bad as people feel they are- with some guidance and support even the saddest person can begin to see light. Call a therapist or a friend/family member. Suicide is a horrible option and if you don't value your life think about the individuals in your life that will be so hurt by the loss of your life.
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