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 2)
aligraysmith said 6:21AM on 2-24-2009
It is not a kick in the pants. It was an error to which the only legal and equitable solution is in the return of the over-payments. No doubt the recipients knew they had been overpaid as well as those who received less knew their check was short the promise. Severance is a wonderful gift; money and benefits for which one did not work and for most of us it does not exist.
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ro said 6:28AM on 2-24-2009
thats disgusting - all the money micro has I would never give it back
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Irish said 6:50AM on 2-24-2009
I'm with you ro. The people have been screwed enough with this economy - what more harm can come to them? A jail sit? At least they'd have room and board and 3 square meals a day for a short time. I say enough is enough with the damage that is being done to the middle class. When will it be our time?
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joe t said 7:07AM on 2-24-2009
news flash AOL once a severance package is signed the company has to honer it. its the law and sorry for the miss spelling but i just woke up. so people keep the money its yours
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Colorado said 7:22AM on 2-24-2009
I was laid off from a major bank in January. They also screwed up my first severance check. I notified them as I didn't have any paperwork to check back to. It took them another 10 days to notify me. The letter was curt and to the point, payback or else. Nice news after a 30 year career with the same bank. I felt like it was a slap in the face, especially since I had already contacted them the day after it happened.
I read all this stuff about how not to get laid off, be willing to do anything, work extra hours, etc. I can tell you that none of it makes a difference. When your number is up it is up. All that extra stuff you did just makes you more bitter in the end......
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Christine said 10:06AM on 3-15-2009
I had the same experience with another company. I immediatly notified them of thier error on a double payment they made to me as a severence. I received a phone call and a letter telling me that no they were right, and that the money is mine. 60 days later I was demanded to pay back the money that they overpaid me. They found their error and that I wrongfully kept the money knowing full well that they overpaid me. Talk about a kick in the teeth.
Susan said 8:00AM on 2-24-2009
Things are bad enough they have to make it wrost., Maybe some should send a bill to Bill Gates
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Gene said 8:12AM on 2-24-2009
Anyone dumb enough to send money back to Micrsoft does not deserve to be employed in the first place!
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wayne said 8:20AM on 2-24-2009
I find it hard to think that a Company could something like that. Our country is no longer what it use to be.
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Kristian said 8:26AM on 2-24-2009
What can they actually do? Take it out of their next check? Depending on the amount I'd probably keep it and tell MS to screw themselves. If the costs of taking me to court are higher than the costs of letting me keep it, they won't do jack except issue threats.
I wouldn't think there's anything criminal involved but if anyone knows differently then let's hear it.
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JEANNIE said 8:41AM on 2-24-2009
SURELY THIS IS THE JOKE OF THE YEAR REPAY SUCH GREEDY HOGS AS THESE? NEVER ! HAVE THESE CROOKS NOT HEARD THAT PEOPLE ARE STARVING AND FREEZING TO DEATH AND IN PAIN BY DOING WITHOUT? NO ONE OWES THESE GREEDY HOGS ONE RED CENT. THEY HAVE TAKEN OR STOLEN FROM PEOPLE FOR YEARS NOW, AND YET THEY CLAIM THE PEOPLE OWES THEM? HEY, MICROSOFT, YOU HAVE HELD "THE PEOPLE HOSTAGE" SINCE YOUR PREMATURE BEGINNING. NO WAY DOES ANY ONE OWE YOU PERIOD!
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nick said 8:31AM on 2-24-2009
You got to be kidding me, with Gates and his wife setting in the big house on the hill with billions and the company with billions of cash trying to screw the folks they let go, give me a break, open up the wallett Gates and give each of them a million dollars, you gave enough through the back door to the Obama boy.
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Dale said 9:26AM on 2-24-2009
Yeah, Microsoft is really hurting, They sell a product that MUST be updated, make billions in profits, then go after a few bucks because "THEIR" software screws up and they over pay people... Serves them right. Microsoft should be giving their new operating system away as previous sold versions (Windows Millemium, Windows ME and Vista) didn't work right and had severe security issues.... Way to Go Bill, you are really pushing people to start buying Mac's !
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Ali said 8:49AM on 2-24-2009
Seems to me that if Microsoft made a mistake they should be responsible enough to admit it and not ask for any money back. A billion dollar industry like that? What a fricken nerve. The individuals who made the mistake in the first place should be responsible for repaying the money. If you work in a bank or grocery store or other place that money is handled, you make a mistake and you are responsible. Good God. I wouldn't send them a FU letter (especially if I wanted a letter of recommendation for my next job) but I wouldn't return a cent. Screw them. Tell Gates to sell his house and put the money back into Microsoft. What a joke - send money back. Pffttt.
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Skizzy said 8:50AM on 2-24-2009
What a piece of crap Microsoft is. Not only does Bill Gates give away billions to people in countries other than America, while ignoring his own countrymen whose purchases made him what he is, he continues to try and bring more foreign workers into this country to replace these people he is laying off with cheap H1-B workers. Just disguisting.
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JAUNVIVAMEXICO said 11:48AM on 2-24-2009
SUE ME
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LiLi said 9:06AM on 2-24-2009
Outrageous! Just let them keep the money, I am sure that Microsoft can spare it. You took their jobs already, don't rub salt in that fresh wound!
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Dewey said 9:06AM on 2-24-2009
My brother received a weekly check that was too high (not enough taxes taken out) and he knew it. He cashed it and took the chance that it wouldn't get caught. It did!! He HAD to pay it back. Mt bank placed someone else's payroll check into my account one day (over $400.00). I knew it wasn't mine and I DIDN'T spend it. I would have had to give it back because it wasn't my money!! This is no different. Just because people are haveing hard times (including myself) doesn't mean that it right to take stuff that doesn't belong to you!! "A man's character is not measured when times are the best, but measured when times are the hardest"
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Judy said 9:48AM on 2-24-2009
Finally someone who gets it. Situational ethics don't work. If a person is not willing to stand on what is right, they will fall for whatever scam or scheme comes along. I may not be rich, but I stand for what is right. I do not take a dishonest penny, let alone a dishonest dollar, and work hard for everything I have. I may not have the nice things that so many people will sell their soul for, but I am also not one who is facing a foreclosure, a layoff, or any other hits from this economy. Isn't that amazing.
Bob said 9:23AM on 2-24-2009
What microsoft and most others in business fail to recall is, these people made them what they are today.It was their labor that made their profits for them.This is one hell of a way to say thanks for all your efforts.The greed of American business is destroying this country.The stimulas package will help the greedy bastards be even more greedy.We need to go back to public hangings.
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