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)
smitty said 3:04PM on 1-19-2009
http://www.familywatchdog.us/Default.asp
good site!
Reply
van heflin said 6:27PM on 1-19-2009
Smitty why are you so paranoid about your neighbors. Have you tried a bar-b-que or instinct??
I see the reason for sex crimes but this is getting boring and silly now.
jake savage said 4:45PM on 1-19-2009
get a gripe the streets and schools and parks will never be safe as long as you have judges who keep letting the guilty go and judges who keep sending people to anger management class es which was made for one thing not to help the man or woman they send there but as always to make money for the state ,city and county.things will be safe when they start putting cild molesters to death and rapist and murders and stop sending people to jsil to go to college and watch cable and work out in the gym
Reply
John said 4:01PM on 1-19-2009
Oh great - the State is making everyone paranoid and encouraging vigilantism. No such thing as a fresh start anymore. Soon Big Brother will set up concentration camps for people to live in.
Reply
Lucien said 4:05PM on 1-19-2009
First, your English, for someone who brings these kinds of numbers from the FBI, is crying for help! I hope you can, or are smart enough to notice that; which I doubt!
Second, provide us also with a number of interracial marriages, or relations that are currently being celebrated, between Blacks and Whites...,since you are obviously turned to the negative!
Reply
Casey Ja said 7:00PM on 1-19-2009
America has a high strung and over intrusive problem.Over the last 28 years in this country, nobody can mind thier own buisness ,work out thier own problems or tolerate anything that does not go along with thier vision on how to live your life.Neighbors
should be presumed to be good neighboors until they prove otherwise.Yet Another jab at liberty and freedom.
Reply
tojo said 5:30PM on 1-19-2009
From the FBI: Black males age 14 - 35, commit 56.6% of all violent crime in America while they comprise less than 3.5% of the population, and contribute less than 1/10 of 1% to the gross national product.
Reply
sabrina said 10:54PM on 1-20-2009
omg.. there are soo many sex offenders around me! creepy!!
Reply
Charlie said 12:50AM on 1-20-2009
After 30 years in corporate America, I have chosen to teach in one of the under funded school districts in Illinois. I also prefer middle school because, even though it is an age where the children are the most undisciplined; it is also an age where I believe they need the most guidence and mentoring. I have found that if you take the right approach the majority of the children can be reached. I have taught students where teachers have quit after one day of teaching, and I have survived. It is a tough job,it doesn't pay well,however, it is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I have been blessed with three great children. One is a graduate of an HBCU (Historically Black College or University) One is attending a small college in Wisconsin, doing extremely well, and plans to teach when he graduates. My youngest is is still in highschool and college bound. (My wife is also extremely involved in their upbringing) I share the experiences of my children with many of my students and have found that many of them relate and find hope for themselves. This generation of all students including African American can be reached if we take the time.
Reply
Jess said 7:03PM on 1-19-2009
So many people have gone to spotcrime.com that the whole server has crashed
Reply
Greg Taylor said 7:33PM on 1-19-2009
God is paying the U.S. back for dropping 2 atomic bombs on Japan and burning alive tens of thousands of women and children.
We can't forget the firebombing of Dresdan, Germany. Also the bombs that were dropped on Vietnam, Cambodia and Iraq. What are 3,000 people in 2 high rises compared to these atrocities?
Ah yes, the Ugly Americans strike again.
Reply
Rosie said 7:57PM on 1-19-2009
Hey I want to say that's a bit off on your remark, Europeans ,and other culture's of the WHOLE WORLD are made from the SAME GOD! I hope didn't forget about Babylon, remember : (key hint) Babal means confused, meaning when Nimrod try to deter God again he had to make his creations to speak many tongues, including euro's. Besides everyone who "Actually" know whom God's chosen people are. THEIR HEBREWS! By the way HEBREWS aren't always white by skin, thier like you and me, different skins different purpose, and same belief in God but in a different way! Jews and Gentiles. I may be mexican but not totally saved by God, but I know what I am talking about, we came from the ancesters of "NOAH'S ARK!" I hope you didn't forget that either as well. I came from a foster Jew family.
I hope your not angry for saying this, God knows what I'm telling you is TRUE. He's watching us as of right know. Don't worry I'm not worried what you'll tell me after you get this.
*"The One And Only!"*
Reply
Ebony said 1:30AM on 1-20-2009
Well what are you going to do to find out if your neighborhood is really safe, do a background check on everyone?
Reply
Ebony said 1:39AM on 1-20-2009
I think for the most part, people want to live in a safe neighborhood, especially for kids. I don't have children but I still want the neighborhood to be safe for the kids.
Reply