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.
If you've ever been in an accident you've probably wished that you had someone there to help you get everything figured out -- call the police, line up a tow truck, etc. That's exactly the sort of help that GM's OnStar service offers, all conveniently piped through a friendly blue button on the rear-view mirror. The service connects you directly to an operator. But, when one man called for help on January 1st after getting stuck, he got more than he bargained for -- he got arrested.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
danhawk911 said 1:24PM on 1-05-2009
i wonder how his case would actually work out in court. i mean he di not hit anybody and the police would of never know had on star not been called.
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Lynn61 said 3:14PM on 1-05-2009
Drunk driving is drunk driving. It doesn't matter that "On Star" called the police, or that this guy didn't hit or hurt anyone. It's a blessing that this guy was arrested BEFORE he could hit or hurt anyone. My ex, killed himself and an innocent 17 yr. old beauty queen. I think of him, this young woman, and her family almost everyday. A few "extra" drinks can cause many people much pain for many many years. It's a selfish decision to drink and drive. The effects can be life changing for those left behind.
Krista said 6:52PM on 1-08-2009
Whatever! This is such a crock! He called to get a tow and the OnStar couldn't send a truck and sent the police instead because it was New Year's eve. The Morning Call is such a load of you know what. I hate reading all the lies this paper. I guess the Morning Call didn't follow up but Paul Sinker was taken to the hospital immediately for a blood alcohol test and guess what? He PASSED! He was the designated driver for crying out loud! He had passengers in the car!!
Read the real story below, straight from his myspace page.
ITS PRETTY INTERESTING THAT IV MADE NEWS ALL AROUND THE WORLD INCLUDING THE U.K. WELL FOR THE RECORD HERES THE STORY. WHILE WITH A FRIEND ON THE WAY TO A NEW YEARS EVE PARTY (WHICH I WAS DESIGNATED DRIVER) WE HAD REALIZED THAT WE WENT TO FAR DOWN RIMROCK RD. WHILE TRYING TO TURN AROUND IN WHAT LOOKED LIKE A PARKING LOT WE HAD GOTTEN OURSELVES STUCK IN THE MUD. AT THIS POINT IT WAS 11:35. WE TRIED TO PUSH THE CAR OUT OURSELVES BUT IT DIDNT WORK BECAUSE THE MUD WAS OVER A FOOT HIGH. LUCKILY A LOCAL DRIVER STOPPED TO HELP US. WE STILL WERE UNABLE TO GET THE CAR OUT OF THE MUD WHICH WAS WHEN I CALLED ONSTAR FOR A TOW TRUCK BUT INSTEAD OF THAT THEY SENT STATE TROOPERS WHO WATCHED AS FRIENDS OF MINE TRIED TO GET MY CAR OUT. AFTER BEING COVERED IN THE MUD FOR OVER 2.5 HOURS I WAS COLD AND READY TO GO HOME. I WASNT DRUNK AT THE TIME AND UNFORTUNATLY FAILED THE FIELD SOBRIETY TEST, I WAS ABLE TO WALK FINE AND SPEAK CLEARLY FOR THE RECORD. AFTER THIS I HAD GOTTEN A RIDE FROM OFFICERS TO GET A BLOOD TEST. WHICH I PASSED. AT LEAST I CAN SAY IT WAS THE CRAPPY END TO A CRAPPY 2008
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