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.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)
marshall said 4:46PM on 11-18-2009
The reeducation camp joke was priceless. LMAO
Reply
skivy said 6:29AM on 11-23-2009
I can't take this sort of thing. Especially going out to dinner and have to put up with the clapping and happy birthday songs at places such as Texas Roadhouse etc. It without a doubt one of the most irritating things. It's not so much the singing and dancing but knowing that the singers and dancers are doing it against their will, and are being phoney and superficial.
Reply
evelyn said 10:52AM on 11-28-2009
I'm with you! One time my husband and I went out to dinner for my birthday and I had really had a bad day. I really didn't even want to go out and warned my husband not to tell the wait staff at the restaurant because I "didn't want those Bozos coming over to the table and singing to me". Well, after the meal I excused myself to the ladies room and when I returned to the table there was a piece of birthday cake with a lit candle sitting on the table in front of my chair... I looked at my husband -(you know the kind of look) and was not too darn happy that he had told anyone it was my birthday... then the waiter came over and whispered in my ear, "don't worry, we Bozos aren't going to sing to you". So, at that point it was kind of funny/embarrassing and I was relieved at the same time.
Irishmmmmms said 7:44PM on 2-07-2010
Hmmmm...if you don't like celebrating and singing, maybe just stay home?
docalsm said 7:09AM on 11-23-2009
Look at the 2:30 mark. Notice anything suspicious? Keep your eye on the woman in white. What's she putting in her bag? Nice keeping an eye out, Microsoft employees.
(courtesy of asylum.com)
Reply
SHANE said 2:23PM on 11-23-2009
Good Call!
Shannon said 9:40PM on 11-23-2009
Actually it looks like a notepad and she had it in her hand when she ran in to dance. If you notice she isn't clapping right and she put it in her bag so she could clap. Also what she put in her bag dos not look like what was on the shelf she was next to.
buddy said 6:49AM on 11-23-2009
It is oboviously a large shopping mall store and I think they accomplished what they wanted to do by getting passers-by to enter the store and join in the dance. It also negates the image of a stuffy, geeky, computer store where most people are intimidated to enter or ask questions of the employees. If you have just seen them dancing in the store then you would be much more comfortable in approaching them with questions.
Reply
Hoping for change said 12:00PM on 11-23-2009
Right Buddy. Just like I am more comfortable asking relationship questions to a prostitute.
Nancy said 6:49AM on 11-23-2009
Could be a good thing - bad as they are :) Wakes them up in the middle of the afternoon. BUT get rid of the singing along and I think if I was in that store I would have been ready to cut off those clapping hands after the first 30 seconds.
Reply
linshores said 7:55AM on 11-23-2009
I think it's refreshing, and put's a smile on some's faces. People who are uncomfortable with it, are uncomfortable with themselves... Not enjoying the moment, why, that must be a tradgedy...
Reply
originlcin said 7:58AM on 11-23-2009
Having your employees do funny dances will make them happier, huh? Hey Bill why don't you try giving them some of your billions that you send to other countries.
Reply
Shell said 8:05AM on 11-23-2009
I agreed until they had to bring in the white comment in..Why pull a race thing ..Would it have been okay to say a bunch of black guys? And the heaviest one with the most faded jeans didn't look white...
Reply
hockeyfamily417 said 9:50AM on 11-28-2009
White folks dancing!!! Hilarious!!!
Homer said 8:14AM on 11-23-2009
It looks as though they're having a good time (note smiling faces). I worked in a corporate environment (IT) for 25 years. My bosses were assholes as they were promoted to the highest level of incompetency (Peter Priciple) and they had to rule people that knew way more than them so the used the iron fist method. This could have been more fun if at the end, they would have mooned everybody and gave their boss the finger.
Reply
Carol said 8:24AM on 11-23-2009
The ones dancing don't look humilated to me. They look like they're enjoying it...at least for the first couple of minutes...*L* I love it!! Work, enjoyable exercise and fun to boot. Why the negativity? Join in the fun!!
Reply
bev said 1:01PM on 11-24-2009
WOWWWWWWW I take offense of this article saying White Dudes. If they had said Black Dudes everyone would be in an uproar but I don't see anyone too upset about saying white dudes. I am tired of articles like this that say things about whites and we are suppose to accept it but its a horrible thing if its said against a black. Bull this has to stop. I am not making too much out of it either because all the time whites are being put down and must watch their mouths yet this kind of thing goes on Racism isn't for just black issues you know.
Reply
leolux10 said 9:38AM on 11-28-2009
WOW!!! Pretty sensitive, aren't ya? LOL Had the tables been turned, you (and others like you) would consider it as "pulling the race card". White people can name any/every insult UNDER THE SUN, and you whites try to dub it down to being a "joke", at times. Expecting us to smpy ignore it. Yet, something as MILD as this artcle, gets your panties all in a bunch??? HA!!! I'd say to you "welcome to OUR world", but there is ONLY ONE WORLD!!! The world in which WHITES created........a DIVISIVE world.
Don't serve it (insults), if you can't eat it! Simple!
Cry babies.....
fry112 said 11:14AM on 11-28-2009
Shut up White Dude!!!!
elitistscumbags said 9:00AM on 11-23-2009
Yay!,... lets all clap and dance while we are destroying our own county by selling Chinese products for Israel stock holders.
Reply