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)
Dudley Haas said 4:36PM on 2-06-2009
I thought about getting a blackberry but got a raspberry instead. I wanted the color of phone to match the B-9 mole on my 4-head.
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JUSTTHEFACTS said 4:55PM on 2-06-2009
wHEN IS A DEAL NOT A DEAL ? JUST ASK VERIZON
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Debbie said 2:29PM on 2-07-2009
I've been with Verizon for 6 months and they have never yet gotten my phone bill right. Every time it takes at least 2 hours in store to fix what really isn't that hard. Do the store computers and the actual billing people not get the same figures? I don't know, but my family is about ready to drop the whole plan we have with them and that would be 5 phones, as we are in a family plan.
Bold said 2:32PM on 2-07-2009
Want the bold! can you guys work on that, please.
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Mia Culpa said 3:29PM on 2-07-2009
I question Verizon's integrity. In trying to promote the Blackberry Storn, they offered a contest internally. if you sold enough, you's win a Storm of your own. Verizon employees jumped at the chance...only Verizon set the bar too low. Hhundreds, if not thousands, of employees qualified. So, Verizon's remedy? Go back and scrutinize each call these people took that sold a Storm..and FIRE them if there were any mistakes, no matter how small. Got them off the hook for the incentive package. Because, after all, when you take 50 or 60 calls a day, there's bound to be some kind of an error, right?
Just my opinion of the facts, of course, but I think this could be another class action suit against Verizon. Would love to see an investigative piece done...making sure all the customers who had "errors" found in their calls were also compensated.
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LisaT said 4:04PM on 2-07-2009
Listen Verizon does not give away ANYTHING FREE!!! Period. There will be a catch somewhere. When dealing with Verizon buyer beware!!
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Deb said 4:23PM on 2-07-2009
I have never had a problem with Verizon.
The reps are very helpful and friendly when you call.
My only problem is with the cost of a phone line but that is with all of the the providers as well.
Check out other plans or drop some of your features if it is too expensive.
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Jim said 9:13PM on 2-11-2009
to Debbie 2/7 @ 2:29pm - You might as well get used to it, I have had Verizon for (10) years on a nationwide family plan. Starting late in 2008 and now into 2009 I am experiencing the same type billing problems. I confirmed that the store people, the billing people and the Kiosk's all have different figures for what you owe. And, unless you really PUSH the store management, you won't get the correct $ figure without a lot of push! Therefore you could end up paying more than is really due (to avoid being shown late). And it is (supposed) to reconcile on the next statement, although it does not always. Guess who keeps those thousands of $'s to invest for a few weeks? - you guessed it Verizon does. Remember what they say its ALL about the network right! Baloney, it is REALLY all about service. Also, the Kiosk's are even worse, if a credit has been applied, most of the time it doesn't show up! Due to the cancellation fees you might want to be careful about cancelling, just remember this when it is time to renew. They really don't care if you drop your service or not, they are already so successful. Too bad Sprint hasn't really stepped up to the plate, they could easily capatilize on those existing customers who are out of contract with Verizon if they only played on Verizon's service weakness. By the way recently got billed for a data package $49.99, TWICE, just because I have a (5) year old PDA that can do e-mails, yet I DON'T do e-mails--nor am i in contract, was told oh yea Verizon inplemented this back in Nov, 2008, I didn't see a notice did anyone else? Course I pursued a credit and wating to get all of it. Ya'll better check those bills you get even closer NOW!
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jb said 4:53PM on 2-07-2009
then it's not free now is it?
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cletus stock said 4:59PM on 2-07-2009
I NEVER WILL USE VERIZON AGAIN I DIDN,T USE MY PHONE MUCH AND THEY STILL GET BILLS FRM THEM I CANCEL FIVE TERS AGO YOU CALL GET RUN AROUND I NEVER PAY THEM AT ALL.THESE PEOPLE DONOT KNOW WHAT THEIR DOING AT ALL
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PremYogini said 6:35PM on 2-07-2009
My husband and I had Verizon and after our divorce, I signed up. I've never had a problem with them...never. Not being electronically illiterate, I wanted the most basic phone possible. The sales people didnt't try to upgrade me but I did on my own. If I had a problem, I just contacted Verizon and they corrected it. For example, a company kept texting me and I was charged for premium texting. The company continued until I told them I was contacting the AZ Attorney General. Verizon took the premium billing charges off my phone...and block premium charges from anyone. In four years, I've only had one dropped call...and it was an important one. Verizon compensated me on my bill. It would take a helluva lot for me to switch from Verizon.
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