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.
_thumbnail.jpg "Vintage Keyboards")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 13)
AURAAUNLIMITED said 7:20PM on 3-07-2009
These young whippersnappers wouldn't know about facebook if we, the old geriatric geezers didn't pay for them to go to college to get an education. I got the ultimate revenge though. . . I ignored my daughter's friend request when she finally sent an invite (out of guilt I suspect). HA! Who's laughing now?
And yes, I am twittering too. Guess what? She started stalking me. Or is that supposed to be "following"?
Reply
Heather said 9:34PM on 3-07-2009
I hate to break it to you, but most of the people on facebook were on facebook before they even went to college. They might be saying facebook is for the over 30 crowd, but I also hate to break it to you, most of us "youngins" are having to teach our parents the ropes on facebook from posting on a wall to uploading pictures.
My mom also happens to be a friend on my page because I'm not embarrassed to have her on my page - my friends also have her added as well. Just because you hate your daughter doesn't mean every other parent hates their children.
My mom also twitters and we're on each others pages.. not that I really use it because I'm on enough sites and only have time for a few since I'm in classes.
So before you start going oh look at us adults taking over blah blah blah - just remember - facebook was founded by a "kid" and it is run by "kids".
SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread - XBL: SoCoolCurt) said 9:32AM on 3-08-2009
"I hate to break it to you, but most of the people on facebook were on facebook before they even went to college."
no they weren't. up until the last year or two, facebook was reserved only for people in college. it wouldn't let you sign up without a valid college issued email address. sure NOW there are people who have accounts before they go to school but they aren't "most" people.
Adelfa said 9:32AM on 3-09-2009
Excellent post! LOL
Ah Children said 4:14PM on 3-09-2009
Facebook is an extremely powerful and effective social networking site amongst business professionals and executives alike. I would hope that the majority of people on the site are over 30, considering I could care less about who Tina is going to Homecoming with, why you are grounded this weekend, or some other garage band that you will be rocking out to this weekend at your local java shop. There are plenty of other alternatives for the bubble gum crowd to discuss mindless crap.
Have a nice day! : P
Michele said 8:12PM on 3-07-2009
I dunno......my daughter and her college friends all have accounts, I think it's a mixed community. Who knows......
Reply
Maria said 9:28PM on 3-07-2009
Facebook used to be set up so that you could not set up an account if you did not have a college E-mail address. I think they made a big mistake opening it up to everyone. My friend's parents are on their as is my boss' wife. Even with privacy settings facebook is not what it used to be. I personally do not like that anyone can set up a page I would rather something be left just to college students.
Rebecca said 9:46AM on 3-08-2009
This could be a simple mathematical result, because kids can't sign up under age 13, right? So there would be less enrollments under 30 to swing the average, whereas there's not an upper age limit on enrollments. I think they just used 30 because I would say most, but not all, people are parents by then, but 30 year olds are by no means "geezers". Poor choice of word by writer.
Tyler said 8:14PM on 3-07-2009
That's why facebook has 'privacy settings'. Half the people I know aren't even able to view my status, or my photos for that matter... Problem solved.
Reply
Nick Saint said 11:28PM on 3-07-2009
I agree with Tyler, Privacy settings= Problem Solved. You can choose who see's your status updates, information, profile, etc. And if you are going to be making comments that you wouldn't want your Boss/Parents to see, maybe you shouldn't be making those types of comments in the first place. (in my opinion, of course) And if you are so worried about your boss/parents whoever else seeing comments/profile/information that you would rather them not see for fear of being fired or whatever else the reason may be, Then I would suggest if it's your boss then why tell your boss in the first place you even have a face book account?
KARIN said 8:22PM on 3-07-2009
If you think people are already considered old geezers, after turning THIRTY, then I really feel sorry for you.
Reply
Mona said 9:48PM on 3-07-2009
I''m with you!
realfgyti said 4:27AM on 3-08-2009
It's just AOL and its affiliates being retarded again.
debbie said 9:42PM on 3-07-2009
I am over 40 and have had a facebook account for over 4 years due to the fact that I was going to a major university in 2004. So it's not like the under 30 crowd were the only ones allowed on it. Saying it's dying and the younger kids need to get off is just stupid. Obviously Warren Riddle just doesn't get it. The privacy setting makes it where people see what the creater lets them. In fact, the younger the "friend" ~ the less they see of mine. LOL... Heaven forbid that they see we over 30 people have fun too.
Reply
Ned said 8:29PM on 3-07-2009
campusbuddy.com is what facebook used to be and much more.
Reply
sepirioth said 8:29PM on 3-07-2009
I accept the old geezers, if your hiding something your weak and fake!
Reply
Leslie said 8:32PM on 3-07-2009
What is age its a damn number and has nothing to do with how one feels. Someone 60 can act younger than someone 30. This article is bull crap.
Reply
Joe said 8:46PM on 3-07-2009
Right On Leslie.....at seventy seven years of age, I am a firm believer that age is a frame of mind. As an educator for over thirty years, I know that my students kept me young. BTW, I'll be attending my third Phish concert in June
Jeannie said 8:47PM on 3-07-2009
Leslie I totally agree with you. I am one of the old geezers but I am young at heart. I love Facebook and talking to my family and friends.
sj said 10:00PM on 3-07-2009
you are wise beyond your years. I am 57. My 1st time on this site