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)
boo said 8:03AM on 8-20-2009
HOPE THEY CANNOT GIVE AWAY TICKETS ,,NO, HE DID NOT MAKE A 'MISTAKE' HE IS A MONSTER...................
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peanutyates2 said 8:13AM on 8-20-2009
I don't understand the forgiveness for Vick. He did what he did sober, knowingly, and repeatedly......then coupled that with lying over and over when caught in his deadly web. The guy does not deserve a second chance at all!
teej said 10:13AM on 8-20-2009
hah, you're ignorant... i guarantee the stadium is jam packed every game.
artkelsch said 8:12AM on 8-20-2009
he could not have gone to a more perfect team or city they are a perfect fit
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fip4jon said 8:25AM on 8-20-2009
Shame on the Eagle's. If you allow some thug to represent the Eagle's and accept him, then why not some normal person. Wow, he wrote a bad comment. The Eagles should have reprimanded him or fined him. If he did it again, then yes fire him. Companies give numerous 2nd chances to their employees. Is there more to the story?
I was amazed at the talent Vick had when he was first drafted. I watched him in college, but when all of the news came out about the dog fighting, I was very disappointed and just sickened. I didn't think it was true until he was arrested and pictures came out. When he had his interview on 60 minutes, it made me decide that I will never watch him again. He is a thug that has money. I hope the bank that foreclosed on his home sues him to the point that the $7 million dollars he is going to earn will go back to the bank to make up the difference in the loan amount and sales price.
If the Eagles will allow a thug to represent them, then I had no time for them either. Vick is the worst role model for anyone out there. Shame on them.
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rochelleswilder said 8:52AM on 8-20-2009
What every happened to free speech ? Isn't that everyone's constitutional right? Did the dog's have a second chance?
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sequin22 said 9:15AM on 8-20-2009
I will have a difficult time cheering for the Eagles this season. I certainly will not purchase a game ticket- knowing that will be putting money in Vick's pocket.
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Slicric said 9:23AM on 8-20-2009
So, you think I guy should be punished the rest of his life after he payed his debt to society? I think the director of the Humane society disagrees.
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joeomar said 10:37AM on 8-20-2009
Simple solution. This guy should torture some dogs to death. Eagles will hire him back in an instant.
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jodie said 11:10AM on 8-20-2009
Paid his debt to society? I think not. The punishment did not fit the crime. Electricution and hanging were more appropriate. What a vile, disgusting creature this man is - he should not be allowed to exist, let alone resume a multi million dollar career. Let's hope what goes around comes around and he breaks his neck in a game.
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Roz said 11:18AM on 8-20-2009
Enough is enough the man Michael Vick has been punished, he went to jail,
not to mention the damages done to his career and personal life, the money he has lost. Everyone has made a mistake, God, has forgiven him, why, why??? can't we. The loss of the dogs is a painful lesson, I know Mr. Vick has learned and will carry with him the rest of his life. People, !!!! Move On, let him have peace. Now, let's go to Louisiana, Alabama, Texas, and the Carolina's Oops, let's not forget Mexico, and see if we can catch those that have dogs and cock fights, and send them to jail, and let them have a loss in their careers and personal life, I wonder how many big shots we will come up with. Let love, each other and let live. Life is to short,
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boli49 said 12:31PM on 8-20-2009
What damage to his career? He was immediately hired as soon as his sentence was over. Yeah, he's finished as a player (not).
debbie conners said 10:17AM on 8-21-2009
how do you figure this monster of a man just made a mistake?
this man knew what he was doing,he made them poor dogs suffer in horrible pain and agony,he sat and watched innocent dogs rip each other to pieces and killed them with his own evil,rotton hands or in rotton cruel terrible ways,how the heck did this man serve his time?when he gets what he deserves,the law will take him ,cage him,throw him in a ring with the dogs he had left and he abused so badly and let his rear end get ripped apart,let him see hoe it feels,then if he makes it through,throw him in the trash,hang him electricute him,drown him or slam his evil filthy rear end to the grown to his death.why would anyone think of saying this man payed for his mistakes? this made didn't make a mistake,he knew dam we'll what he did and would still be doing it and didn;t and will never even care what he did,and will do again.please god will never forgive someone that could take innocent animals and just slaughter them like he did,and walk away like nothing happened.you should be ashamed of youself for sticking up for,or excepting this man for any dam reason.this man deserves what them poor dogs got,they didn't even have a chance,he don't either.
Roz said 11:26AM on 8-20-2009
I bet the sell out every game. Mr. Michael Vick may be booed, things will probably to tossed on the field when he enters. But the security will be tight.
I wish him and the Eagles well, maybe the Super Bowl, winners that they are.
Everyone deserves a break, when you. You are or have not been a perfect person, I willing to bet you. Just think back at a mistake you made and now wish you could have a redo. Let live,
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debbie conners said 10:15AM on 8-21-2009
the only thing that needs to be tossed anywhere is this man vic,he is trash,garbage and shameful,disgusting,and a big goofball,who had to use and abuse innocent dogs to hide behind ok! who cares how big or how good he is supposed to be in football?i will tell you though if he is as good as he hurt and killed them poor dogs,he must be pretty dam good,not at football but at feeling so big and uncaring and heartless and killing innocent helpless dogs in his big bare hands,gee that must of made him feel good ,what he did huh!this man is a digrace,and just remember,when you see him look at his so called good football playing hands he has and remember all the gruesome beatings,fighting,torturing and killing of all them innocent dogs.does this man deserve anything?i think NOT! WHAT HE DESERVES IS TO HAVE THE SAME DAM THING DONE TO HIM AND I AM TALING THE TRUTH,THE LAW NEEDS TO TAKE THIS MAN AND START DOING THE SAME THING TO PEOPLE LIKE THIS,AND SEE HOW THEY FEEL,SEE HOW LONG THEY CAN WITHSTAND THE PAIN AND AGONY. AND LET THEM SUFFER LIKE HE DID TO THE DOGS.AND HANG HIM,OR DROWN OR ELECTRICUTE OR SLAM HIS BIG REAR TO THE GROUND.HE IS NO FOOTBALL PLAYER HE IS A COWARD! AND NO HE DESEVES NOTHING BUT TO FEEL WHAT ALL THEM DOGS HAD TO FEEL AND GO THROUGH.
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Tony G said 1:27AM on 8-22-2009
Vick and Philly is a perfect fit, all you haters just admit you lost. The man is once again a multi millionaire (always was even in jail) and you all can't stand it. If you don't like Philly now just don't watch but I guarantee you with Vick signing its hard to find any tickets now. GO VICK!!!! This man can't continue to pay for a crime forever.
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