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 6)
george said 3:20AM on 12-18-2008
omg, this story is unbelievable... how can u die from a foot-massaging machine!
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aoluser said 2:09PM on 12-20-2008
its a FOOT massager not a NECK massager so why would you try to use it on your neck?!
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Lease said 1:07PM on 12-22-2008
aoluser @ Dec 20th 2008 2:09PM
its a FOOT massager not a NECK massager so why would you try to use it on your neck?!
MAYBE THE DIRECTIONS WERE WRITTEN IN ENGLISH! (or the played with too many of the contaminated lead toys they make)HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Robyn said 5:25PM on 12-22-2008
like you've never used a massager someplace other than were it was advertised to be used...
aoluser said 10:47PM on 12-22-2008
actuallyy no i never did..............
kind said 2:22PM on 12-20-2008
donna , why read it if you r afraid its going to be gross? u like using special words for the body in public??
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calis said 2:58PM on 12-20-2008
maybe that company should come up with a neck massager since people act like they need to use it for their necks
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Elenlosse said 11:21PM on 12-20-2008
Maybe they should call it a neck massager and then they would use it on their feet.
Sharanne Wick said 3:32PM on 12-20-2008
You are too funny! Great comment.
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elfwich said 3:55PM on 12-20-2008
Brad/Bradly/Bradley whatever you want to call yourself..you are all over the boards and I have reported you and will continue to report you.
Everyone....these videos promised by him are virus ridden so no matter how much you want to see boobies you should not go to these sites he is posting.
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ms.r said 4:16PM on 12-20-2008
you should read this closely its you. dont do this .what you expect going into pornsites
concerned said 6:13PM on 12-20-2008
elfwich---your absolutely correct!!! Been reporting this jerk for months!!!
Tawanda said 2:04PM on 12-22-2008
I have also been reporting this jerk for linking porn to nearly every article.
Since the posts continue I can only assume he is paying off someone who runs the site.
funnybone101 said 3:58PM on 12-20-2008
I always wondered why they have the tags warning people of using a hair dryer in the bath tub and other stupid warnings...
Guess now I know.
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chuck said 11:31AM on 12-21-2008
You're comment was right on target and, if it weren't so sad, it would be funny. The actual reason for those "stupid" warnings is simple: The manufacturers are driven to this extreme in a (futile) attempt to minimize their liability when litigation arises (and it always does) from some "stupid" user standing on a step ladder in the bath tub, adjusting their TV while using the hair dryer and, probably, massaging their neck with a japanese foot massager.
matty j said 10:11PM on 12-23-2008
You're stupid.
jo said 4:00PM on 12-20-2008
Dingo, That was a really nasty comment Obviously you don't think about the devastation of the bombng which killed many civilians in Japan. Yes we did get bombed at Pearl Harbor, which is a Military base. I don't like being told till this day that I bombed Pearl Harbor because I am Japanese,from Hawaii. My parents and grandparents are born in Hawaii also and was there at the time Pearl Harbor was bombed! War is never something we all want because it creates hate and ignorance in people, kind of like you!!!!!!!
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JOJO said 11:41PM on 12-20-2008
OMG, HOW RUDE...LOL
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Michelle said 4:33PM on 12-20-2008
How sad.
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Jim-Bob said 5:35PM on 12-20-2008
It would be lovely if they could show the video in a language we here in the US could understand! I figured with it being a Japanese foot massager someone over there used it in some sexual manner and died that way...it was amazing to me that wasn't the case!
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