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)
Gipionocheiyort said 2:18PM on 8-17-2009
What happened they didn't have any gas tankers to blow up to add to the carnage?
Pretty good special effects for this kind of thing actually...
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jk said 3:24PM on 8-17-2009
The accident itself unfortunately plays like a B movie, and the 'orphan' girl bit is kinda cheesy only b'c the ad seems to be trying to throw everything in that it could. But halfway thru you start to see how effective it is...maybe it was the music and after accident happenings, but by the end, pretty darn effective.
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starswithnolight said 3:43PM on 8-17-2009
Oh my god.. this is terrifying. But horribly realistic. I think every one needs to watch this because this is reality. This is what can, and does happen. Christ, wait for a red light at least to text your trivial stupid messages....
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matt said 3:46PM on 8-17-2009
its bad enough these teens just got there license and don't know how to drive as it is, let alone screaming friends in the back seat, add music, a lot of times alcohol and then texting while driving. hmm... doesnt sound like allstate is giving them the safe driver discount.
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tacapa4 said 3:45PM on 8-17-2009
A very good video for the texting fanatics.....
Don't believe this video can reach everyone it needs to!!!
I see this daily as I live near a high school with so many teen drivers.
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aholla127 said 4:28PM on 8-17-2009
HA HA. Those idiots got what they deserved.
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spdl53 said 12:53PM on 8-25-2009
But did the people they hit?
Dave said 5:34PM on 8-17-2009
Having been on the scene of numerous accidents, some due to just talking on a cellphone while trying to drive, this is a rather good example of what happens. Given they have shown an extreme example, but that's what needs to be done. Why anyone would think it's alright to text when you drive is beyond me. I believe the analogy would be trying to eat and watch TV while driving,and would anyone think that was alright, do we actually have to have a law to enforce common sense! Sadly though the belief of "It won't happen to me." will continue to prevail in regard to this matter, same as driving when drinking, it always happens to everybody else. I actually had several people tell me, "this can't be happening to me." during their arrest for DWI............guess it can happen to you.
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AGB1953 said 5:34PM on 8-17-2009
Kids will know this is fake and it won't have much impact. Show real video of actual victims and drive the message home. Of course, you liberals will say that's too harsh and we'll keep on burying dead children.
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Greg Howd said 6:01PM on 8-17-2009
Why does everything have to a politcal attack? As if "liberals" don't love their children as much as you, whatever you're supposed to be. Ya crank.
Cumayata said 10:38PM on 8-17-2009
Actually, I'm a liberal and I agree with you. Teens will see this as another over the top attempt and won't see the real message of it. I personally was not the least bit affected by any of it because it felt like I was watching Die Hard or something. It is a good attempt at showing the reality of a car crash, but remember that people are becoming desensitized by television.
trajan57 said 6:25PM on 8-17-2009
I have spent my adult life cleaning up after this type of disaster. You notice I didn't say accident. (Accident) is a term reserved for incidents you have no concious control over. It used to be that the most common was DUI crashes, now cell phone and texting disasters are putting drunk driving crashes in the rear view mirror. If you think this video is an exaggeration, then please join me while I hose the results into the nearest available drainage ditch. You might gain a new perspective.
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crackheadbob said 6:56PM on 8-17-2009
Hell, I thought the Brits were all so damn touchy-feely PC and low key.... no offense sorts of blokes. Over the top...YES. Real yes.
Never make it here though. Don't want to frighten anyone, just bury 'em and blame (fill in the blank) for not doing "enough". Personal responsibility, job one. What a concept.
31 Yrs. in Fire/EMS service; Paramedic-precepteor and Emergency Room service as an RN. Sadly...been there, done that, have the T-shirts
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Jeff Trenkle said 7:05PM on 8-17-2009
Seeing as studies show that drunk drivers have better response times than that of texting drivers, I cannot wait until they throw the book of societal destruction towards anyone caught texting while driving. Easy to prove to for the phone records will show sent messages.
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cre8tvphoto said 8:45PM on 8-17-2009
All I can say is thank you, My phone will stay in my purse from now on
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Ihatepeople said 10:49PM on 8-17-2009
HAHAHAAHAHA!!!!!!!!!! ONE OF THE FUNNIEST COMMERCIALS I'VE SEEN IN AWHILE!!!!!
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zenturnip said 3:18PM on 8-18-2009
I think this film does a good job of making graphic the effects of texting while driving.
Who hasn't read about this type of accident in their newspaper
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Ernie said 7:57AM on 8-28-2009
Thank you for making this! Is it graphic, YES. But maybe it will say just one life. If I had a kid that was caught texting while driving he/she would find their phone up their butt!
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cogilbert said 5:47AM on 9-14-2009
Quite a good one for awareness,
but would still say we have been given the opportunity to bring up and nature children and the failure is all on parents for the children are doing what they been allowed to do, or seen others doing and so called modern.
Lets bring up children with the understanding that it is a duty given to us by God, and we are failing the Almighty.
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