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.
If you've got a lot of enemies (or watch too many spy movies), you've probably noticed those online ads for cell phone bugging software and thought: "Hey, I wonder if my phone is bugged?" Fortunately, the news crew at Fox 26 in Houston shares your paranoia: it recently tested out some cellular spyware to figure out if your ex-girlfriend or ex-boyfriend is listening in.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
remartantiques said 12:23PM on 5-26-2009
Not only does my phone bother me all the time, now I learn it's a traitor. We're going outside right now with the Winchester to take care of things.
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Michael said 3:12AM on 5-28-2009
"Not only does my phone bother me all the time, now I learn it's a traitor. We're going outside right now with the Winchester to take care of things."
No pa,its my Iphone,Ill take care of it....
Linda said 9:34PM on 5-27-2009
The best way to catch a cheating man is to hide a small voice-activated recorder near the phone when you leave home. If you are really curious, put it under the seat of his car. It will quietly record each time words are spoken. I know someone who did this until she got the goods on him. She also got half of everything. Including his pension. Blue Kentucky Girl
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WCAGAIL said 11:32PM on 5-27-2009
wow, thanks for the horribly disgusting TMI story. Appreciate it.
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jeri said 11:59PM on 5-27-2009
This comment is in reply to the statement Linda made....ANY WOMAN who has to stoop that low to record a man to see if he is cheating NEEDS to wonder if he is worth the effort to begin with. Women...let it be known that FAMILY LAW takes care of the possessions that are considered community property and weather YOU think its fair or NOT you will get what is coming to you...HOW would you feel if a man had to stoop that low to catch you cheating...sorry but I don't think so...if I had to do that they would be gone..and I don't care what he or i had...GONE IS GONEEEEEEEEEEEEE
The games people play to get what they can GET...be it money or personal items...
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Del said 1:21AM on 5-28-2009
Dumbest article I have seen in ages
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Michael said 3:22AM on 5-28-2009
From the point of view of bugging peoples phones,yea this is a dumb article. BTW,I wouldn't try to use a conversation from a bugged phone (or for that matter from a hidden tape recorder) in court. Its a crime. Your not just committing the crime against your husband,but against anyone else in the conversation. There are federal laws and other laws that vary state to state,but as far as I know,its pretty clear cut that if you record a call that your not part of,like between your husband and his girl on the side,then your committing a felony that can actually carry some serious jail time.
If I were a divorce attorney and my clients wife said she had a recording of my client with his mistress,I would ask for a copy of the tape as proof,then explain to her that she should either settle the case right now,on my clients terms,or that tape would be sent to the police. So much for "proving he was cheating and getting everything" You would be much better off hiring a detective who would be able to get proof,while knowing how to stay (more or less) within the law.
smacko said 2:24AM on 5-28-2009
Agree with del. After all, I think it was the lack of trust that drove the man away in the first place. Stooping that low is pathetic.
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marybmuller said 5:47AM on 5-28-2009
Fascinating...and a bit disconcerting...
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