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)
MJZimmer88 said 11:12PM on 3-10-2009
Well apparently I have a drinking problem. Sh*t...
Now to go drink away my newly found misery...
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unsuitened said 11:30PM on 3-10-2009
apparently I have a drinking problem as well, the quiz says so even though I only drink 1 or 2 times a year
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Ethan said 4:36AM on 3-11-2009
"having a computer tell you that you have a problem is the first step"
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Sharon said 8:31AM on 3-12-2009
Was that really stupid or am I too drunk to understand? HaHa!
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Kate F said 1:15PM on 3-11-2009
Oops.. apparently going out the the bar two or three times a year and having more than 3 drinks there means I'm an alcoholic.
Better go join AA.
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tom said 12:39PM on 3-11-2009
I drink, I get drunk, I fall down, I get up, whats the problem??
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cocododo said 6:33AM on 3-13-2009
I don't have a problem w/ alcohol/ I have a problem without it. There was a quiz?
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Poptart said 7:08AM on 3-13-2009
Oh... alass...I'm an alcoholic. Wino. Boozer. Sloshy. D, All of the Above. Who wants to join AA with me?
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Girldevl said 7:57AM on 3-13-2009
I think it takes more then a simple 2 question quiz to tell someone they may be at risk, especially since it says *at ANY time in the past year*.
So you're telling me, that someone who drank heavily on new years, but rarely if ever the rest of the year...is now an alcoholic and at risk?
I am a 24 yr old female who drinks atleast 6 days a week. Do I get drunk? Rarely. Can I drink a lot? Yes, more then most females. I don't need a stupid quiz to suggest I may have an issue LOL.
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Josef said 8:47AM on 3-13-2009
Evidently you jokers have no idea what its like to be an alcoholic.
You are never cured', I will always be an alcoholic, but I dont ever
have to drink again (I hope) During my other life, my only goal
was to drink til I passed out......that went on for 5 years. I went
to rehab 3 times, first time out, bought a bottle on the way home.
The saddest part was seeing youngsters whose drinking surpassed
me by gallons. and most of the time, alcohol was enhanced
by some drug or drugs. If you get into the latter stages of drinking
you will die, if you dont stop. I almost did, but I'm here, maybe
to relate and help even one person. Thats one less death
This disease hits all levels of our society, the most obvious ones
are those who we see in the alleys, bars, family members who
have spent every last dime to get drunk. loosing everything
they have. You would be surprised (maybe not) at the number
of people who wake up in their own vomit, who donot remember
what they did the night before, and waking up sometimes with
a stranger next to them in the bed, or floor, or hallway.
Maybe if you figure out why you are destroying yourself, you
could take that first step to stop.
Been there done that....and its a terrible place to be, and I hope
to God I never go back .
.If anyone has any questions, let me know....its helps me to
help you....Thanks
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Ethan said 6:47PM on 3-14-2009
Just because they're ripping on this government site doesn't mean they're trivializing the issue, they're showing how this isn't the right way to help.
And why copy and paste a sob story here? Or do you just naturally type fixed-width?
John said 10:08AM on 3-13-2009
Great another thing "Big Brother" is going to put his nose into! What next? Perhaps let me know what kind of toilet paper I should use.
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Ang said 11:49AM on 3-13-2009
This site says that males can drink literally twice as much as females in a week and have the same level of risk? .. I find that hard to beleive.
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MR ED said 10:41AM on 3-13-2009
This site is or was set up by either MADD or some egotistical moron I entered 0,0,0 No booze No anytime and I still have a problem UNDERSTAND the states want you to have an alcohol problem they make bank on you. Average person spends 5K on classes forced on you by the state Dont drive when drinking if you do refuse all tests make them prove it in court then do your time cause the state to spend more money then they can make, and they will choose to change """they dont do it for the greater good they do it for the money""""
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George W Bush said 10:52AM on 3-13-2009
People you are not an alcoholic untill you stop drinking. You are a drunk. When you decide to stop then you are a recovering drunk.
For the people who have the long sermen on drinking, understand normal people are not like you you are weak and useless you drink because of emotional or other perception problems if you can not control your drinking dont drink. If you dont endanger others while drinking and it doesnt cause a problem in your personal life , you dont have a problem. The problem is society or their problem with you doing as you please. Dont allow them to recind your rights. Untill they make alcohol ilegal they should not be allowed to punish you for using it.
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CHUCK said 2:53PM on 3-13-2009
30 YEARS UNDER THE INFLUENCE AND 18 YEARS SOBER NOW.... THINK I WILL PASS ON THE QUIZ AS GOD AND AA HAVE ALREADY LET ME KNOW WHAT THE SCORE IS !!!
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Atilla said 1:10PM on 3-14-2009
More Government social engineering. Is this what we pay taxes for?
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maxlayback said 1:35PM on 3-13-2009
eye does not had a dramkin prollemms
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Rom said 2:03PM on 3-13-2009
I'm not an alcoholic. I'm just a happy drunk.....bbuurrrp..ahh..
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jsm said 2:58PM on 3-13-2009
what does this mean for joe six pack?
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