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)
Rachel said 10:08AM on 8-25-2009
I've tried talking and sending a letter to my cable company and all they tell me is I have a 2 year contract and it would cost $150 to break. They didn't even acknowledge my letter I sent.
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plu5000 said 10:17AM on 8-25-2009
Same with my cell phone co.
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Melody said 10:53AM on 8-25-2009
Same here. They just laugh at me. You have a two year contract, we can't help.
Until I went in person to the AT&T Store. I went looking for a new phone since my battery kept dying on the one that I just purchased, not only did I get a new phone, but the sales person actually help me cut my bill. He saved me over $191.00 for the two year contract, that to me is a big savings.
The electric company partically laughed in my face. I am going to try my mortgage company next. Who knows that might work.
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sethyjames2 said 9:35AM on 8-26-2009
ough'' me too i call sprint to cut my contract. you heard right. but i need 200 dollars to divorce.everybory wants your money.and every one wants to bite you. god protect us of this ripoffs. .mf
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DONNA GILBERT said 12:25PM on 8-25-2009
What really gets me is all the low low introductory rates being offered while the long time customers are never offered a special discount
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Kim said 12:30PM on 8-25-2009
This used to work with the cable company but not anymore. I was informed that the "special rate" I was receiving will expire in October and my bill will go up $30 a month. I was basically told too bad when I told them I would look else where.
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stephrobbins925 said 1:05PM on 8-25-2009
Ok, I work at a cable company - this doesn't work. We will only give you a small discount once per year, and we don't price match. If you threaten to disconnect and there is nothing we can do, then we hate to say it but do what you have to do.
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