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.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jeff Schrembs said 4:39AM on 2-03-2009
Bill, and Melinda, Gates have done some WONDERFUL charitable works...around the World. Their "foundation", and their desire to help children in the US, has also done some very good things.
HOWEVER, Bill Gates testified before Congress (under oath) that there were not "enough American Citizens" to be hired in the United States and that is WHY he advocated on INCREASING the HB Visas. Not only was this statement INCORRECT but it (again) advances a STEREOTYPE that (a) Americans are lazy (b) Americans are uneducated and (c) Americans can't "
be found" for these jobs.
This same "falsehood" (i.e. #C) has been told "over and over" (primarily by partisans) that "we can't get Americans to do the jobs so we have to hire Illegals". And yet after the "ICE raids", and the companys are forced to run ads for workers, American Citizens lined up...in droves. American Citizens want to work, they take pride in work, and if given the chance....will be an incredible asset.
The REALITY is that Bill Gates, sadly like many in big business, takes advantage of the "tax LOOPHOLES" (that are unavailable to ordinary citizens) and they hire NON-US Citizens for LESS money that they would have to pay an American Citizen.
They CLOAK these DISCRIMINATORY TACTICS under the "pc verbiage" of "it's a Global World" and "things are changing" and whatever else they think will get us to ignore the facts.
Furthermore EVERY study, even from the US Goverment itself, confirms that there is MASSIVE FRAUD on the Visa programs. Terrorists have taken advantage of these "non-check and balances" and "fake employers", here in the United States, have been allowed to get relatives over here and then...they never leave.
There are HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of ILLEGALS who have "overstayed" their Visas and the Goverment...does not know where they are.
Here is a FUNDAMENTAL question for Bill Gates, and big business "Foreigners First" advocates, and that is "IF Americans are so lacking in Education then WHY is it that our Colleges are the MOST desired...in the World?
Is Bill Gates really saying that India, China, etc. are MORE educated that Americans? Is he saying that they are "harder workers" that Americans? Well, yes they are IF you look at their actions and their EMPHASIS.
Again, I APPLAUD Bill and Melinda Gates for what they are doing as a CHARITY but what good is it for an American Citizen to "get a high school diploma" and then they are not even CONSIDERED for a job (paying decent money) because the Employer can get "Timmy" (from another Country) for 80 percent...less (unless you are a rich, well connected, or Politically related)?
PLEASE NOTE I am not specifically saying that Bill Gates, and/or Microsoft, does not hire American Citizens but I AM saying that American Citizens (who are qualified) are NOT being hired (for years now) and the number of Visa's (to Foreigners for good paying jobs in the Technology Fields) has increased by HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS over the past few years. Hence, I am pointing out a FACT about American Business and not Bill Gates/Microsoft specifically.
In most cases "Timmy" would NOT have to pay Federal Withholding taxes, being a Foreigner, so for every "dollar" that Timmy "net" make it would equate to (approximately) THREE dollars "gross". Therefore the Employer and the Foreigner...make out monetarily.
The Employer also "factors in" that they don't have the "health care costs" that they would offer an American Citizen...full time so they put "Timmy" into a category of "independent agent" and every other loop hole they can come up with.
But, no matter HOW you slice it....it is DISCRIMINATION against American Citizens.
For ALL of the "logical reasons" we should put forth an American Citizens FIRST - NOW - ALWAYS when it pertains to jobs, tax breaks, benefits, education, College admission, health care, etc.
During the interim there are LAW FIRMS that go around, and have DVD"s, where they BRAG about getting "around the system" and coming up with reasons to NEVER CONSIDER HIRING an American Citizen!
This is DISCRIMINATION...against American Citizens and it should stop...now.
Microsoft, for the first time, announced that they are laying off. I would WELCOME looking at the "stats" to see what percentage of "laid off workers" were AMERICAN CITIZENS versus Foreigners. I would bet a "shinny penney" that the American Citizens are getting laid off at a rate of 3-1...or greater.
When the EXCEPTION becomes the RULE, i.e. that it is "beneficial" to hire all NON-AMERICANS and/or NON-WHITES, it ceases to be...the exception.
It is NOT "racist" to demand that American Citizens be CONSIDERED for every Job...everytime.
We, as a Nation, need to QUIT "feeding into" the DIVISIONARY TACTICS like "black versus white" or "Christians verus Liberals" or "Conservatives versus Communists" and start REALIZING that this is "Everyone but versus American Citizens" and the "Rich/Powerful/Connected versus average American Citizens".
Some people believe that hiring American Citizens is a "given" and it is a priority...but it is NOT! Just like "English", and speaking it, should be the Law in the United States...but it isn't. The same "mentality" of "missing the forest for the trees" is what has allowed American Citizens to LOSE their jobs in Construction, Goverment Contracts, Small Businesses, and in the Technology markets.
It will NOT help American Citizens, who are the most generous in giving/helping/supporting their fellow man in the World, if they have NO avenue to support their own families because they CAN"T change the "color of their skin" OR "their Nationality".
American Citizens should be considered (again) FIRST NOW and ALWAYS!
In order to achieve this we will need to change the laws, support lawmakers/Politicians who agree, use our voices, and work had/study hard so that we (otherwise) qualify. Most important, to every "major change", is the REALIZATION that something is "wrong" and to get to the "root" of it.
Diversity is good but you won't be considered because you (personally) aren't "diverse" then it IS discrimination.
I want every willing/able American Citizen to know that there are opportunities (including educaiton programs, financial aid, retraining programs, online studying, etc.) for EVERY American Citizen to make a decent living. I also want there to be a CERTAIN amount (total) of "work Visas" and that they be MONITORED (those breaking the Law - go home) - AND that Europeans aren't continued to be "ignored" (if you look at the data it is clear that Europeans do not get the same percentage as other Nationalities) and given their fair share of Visas.
Well, that's enough for now and your comments will be appreciated.
I will go now to review/research more facts...but I will return...soon.
Take Care and God Bless.
Jeffrey Schrembs, Proud American Citizen
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