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November 14, 2008 5:00 AM PST

Take a sneak peek at Black Friday deals

by Rick Broida
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The rotten economy notwithstanding, Black Friday will undoubtedly produce the usual levels of retail insanity.

If you're intrepid enough to brave long lines and deal-crazed crowds on the day after Thanksgiving, well, I salute you. And I offer you BlackFriday.info, a site that rounds up Black Friday ads well in advance so you can plan your shopping (i.e. figure out where you want to show up at 4 a.m.).

As of Friday, the site has ads for about two dozen stores, including Best Buy, Radio Shack, and Staples.

Truth be told, I'm not seeing any deals that are vastly superior to the kind of stuff I post daily. That's not me being self-congratulatory. It's me being surprised that stores aren't stepping up with lower prices. I mean, where's the $150 Blu-ray player? Or the $500 42-inch HDTV?

Maybe we'll see better deals emerge as the big day draws closer. For now, I'm unimpressed. But if you find anything truly Cheapskate-worthy, by all means hit the comments section and let everyone know.

Rick Broida, a technology writer for nearly 20 years, is the author of more than a dozen books. In addition to writing CNET's The Cheapskate blog, he oversees BNET's Business Hacks. Rick is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CBS Interactive. Disclosure. Deals found on The Cheapskate are subject to availability, expiration, and other terms determined by sellers. Follow Rick on Twitter at cheapskateblog.
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Add a Comment (Log in or register) Showing 1 of 2 pages (28 Comments)
by Venkatasiva08 November 14, 2008 6:14 AM PST
Completely agree with. Last years delas were much better than this years. I don't see any DVD players in $9.99 range, blu tooth in $9.99 range. They cannot fool me!
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by AeroJonesy November 14, 2008 6:33 AM PST
Newegg.com is offering a 42" HDTV (only 720p) for $499.99:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889433001&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL111308&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL111308-_-LCDTV-_-L0A-_-89433001
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by Dragon_Myr November 14, 2008 6:38 AM PST
I've been watching that site like a hawk for the past 2 weeks. So far I agree that deals have been very disappointing, particularly on electronics. I'm shocked I haven't seen better deals in HDTV's and digital cameras. Maybe December 14th will fix things. So far this year's Black Friday definitely isn't shaping up to be as big as last year's. Ok, I know we have an economic problem, but I get the feeling companies are using that as a cop-out.

I am in the market for an HDTV (must be 1080), but if prices don't go where I think they should, then I won't buy.
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by Demerit November 14, 2008 7:01 AM PST
I agree. What with the LCD price-fixing ruling against LG, Sharp & Chunghwa, I would think that LCD prices across the board would lower (i.e., "competition"?).

Guess all those fat-cats who hid their savings in UBS Swiss Banks are thinking they'll need to shore up their IRS losses by keeping prices fairly level.

Time to the pay the piper a living wage, eh?

Then, because of their greed, we'll see more stories like this:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081114/ap_on_bi_go_ec_fi/economy;_ylt=AoBbNOb8JOwmCVSLfxPkJiis0NUE

...and then they'll cry for a bailout of their own, in order to keep their 7 houses.

So what little we saved on our purchases on Black Friday, we'll be paying back into the fat cats' pockets with our income taxes.
Reply to this comment
by molonlabe November 16, 2008 9:44 AM PST
You sound like a CU college student, whining about the fat cats and the corporations while slobbering over luxuries that the vast majority of people in the world will never be able to afford.
by November 14, 2008 7:01 AM PST
I will buy a 720/1080i 32 for >300, just looking to replace a 26" tube. Already have a 42 for primary viewing. Maybe an upconverting DVD player, if its not available I will keep my coin & stay away......
Reply to this comment
by anomalator November 14, 2008 7:29 AM PST
I completely agree. I'm in the market for a new HDTV so I've been watching the prices at some of my local electronics stores, and the prices I've seen are very underwhelming. I've seen some great prices at online retailers, but it would be nice to buy my new TV locally for about the same price. The prices I've seen at BB and CC are ridiculous. It's no wonder CC went belly up and BB is hurting for sales. You'd think with a weak economy and slumping sales these companies would really be trying to pull people into their stores, but they're doing the complete opposite. No great deals, no big sales, and their prices aren't even close to what I've seen online. I checked out a local CC store that will be closing and their prices were only 10% off what they normally are. ***? It's no surprise they're filing for bankruptcy. Based on what I've seen so far in these stores I think they deserve to loose money just for their shear stupidity. Guess I'll be buying my new TV from Newegg.
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by jz12b November 16, 2008 4:25 PM PST
CC and BB are ripping EVERYONE off. I can't believe the mark up on these sets. It may be decided by the manufacturer, so maybe I can't blame the big box stores. I just bought from a manufacturers direct site with an employee discount through the "Saving Center". The TV lists at BB and CC for 2499.99. I got mine for 1649.99, (no it's not refurbished), and I got free shipping. Proof that the mark ups are rediculous, and that the stores/manufacturers are taking advantage of everyone.
by hoyanim7 November 14, 2008 9:08 AM PST
http://www.blackfriday.fm/ is new Black Friday site. There are polls, videos and forum. You can add to shopping list and print it. You can also compare price.
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by mil2civ November 14, 2008 9:35 AM PST
It appears retailers are riding a fine line between trying to sell product and getting the most $$ for it. On the other hand, consumers are both wanting the best price in their mind and putting off purchasing as long as possible. Capitalism at it's best ! However I'm afraid the term Black Friday will take on a whole new negative economic meaning than just great purchasing deals. Hang on to your hats...it will be a rough ride for years to come.
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by planblove November 14, 2008 1:24 PM PST
I haven't seen the ad myself, but CNN just reported Walmart's black friday deals will have a Magnavox blu ray player for $128 and a 50-inch 720p Samsung for $798.
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by lakereddie November 14, 2008 2:33 PM PST
I agree that this black friday looks disappointing. I was in the market for a new HDTV, recently bought a vizio but it didn't do the job for me. Looking to upgrade i was hoping for great deals on BF. But i saw a
46 in. Samsung 650 w/ 120 Hz and a samsung blu ray player for $1530 at Amazon w/ no tax and free shipping and snatched it up. I am so glad i pulled the trigger, because after seeing BB and CC's ads they can't even come close to that deal.
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by drmatt87 November 14, 2008 3:26 PM PST
Surprisingly Sears Electronics is running some great Black Friday Deals:
40" Samsung LCD 1080p 20000:1 Contrast for $799.99
32" Samsung LCD $499.99
Samsung BluRay Player- $199.99 (I'd pay $80 more for a Samsung over Walmarts Memorex)

Better than buying from an Online Company who Backs Nothing for a $100 savings.
Reply to this comment
by hafenbrack November 17, 2008 11:53 AM PST
Sears has had many great deals as of late, too bad that people foget that Sears even sells electronics anymore.
by gapipkin November 14, 2008 3:43 PM PST
I picked up a 32in 1080i Westinghouse LCD the other day for $399. It seems like a good bargin compaired to all the other sales I could find. I was on my way to Walmart to get a Sony for $575. I figured if I bought it before black friday, I could just get a price adjustment instead of trying to make my way through the mad house after eating turkey.
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by gapipkin November 14, 2008 3:46 PM PST
Sorry, I left this out. I bought the TV from Costco. They have a 30 day price adjustment as well.
by frankie2599 November 14, 2008 6:00 PM PST
needed a hdtv to fit in wall unit 40 toshiba regza 40xf550u at costco.com for $999 went to bb and cc they wanted alot more !!! shopped around on line and they had the best price .
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by dustpuddle November 14, 2008 7:40 PM PST
I just think that Black Friday is pulling a K-Mart. For a long time K-Mart was associated with low prices. Because of that, many people buy without researching, (not Cheapsake readers of course). Black Friday is trying, and will probably succeed in luring people to believe they are getting the deal of the year. I think the best bet is to let Rick Broida do the heavy lifting for us. He has not let me down yet. Good luck everyone. For the holidays I like the idea of everyone buying gifts for themselves, wrap them up, and when the big gift opening ceremony commences, everyone will be happy!
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by faison23 November 14, 2008 10:30 PM PST
I think the ads are TOO underwhelming...we know the stores are pissed and throwing lawsuits at the Black Friday ad sites. Cease this...Desist that...Maybe they're taking a clue from the movie industry and leaking false ads....Sounds like a plan to me.
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by ghgarza November 15, 2008 8:52 PM PST
I think the best deal it has to be noted is either the Circuit City Xbox Arcade Bundle as it comes with a 20 GB Hard Drive which is plenty of space for only $199 and the Xbox 360 deal at Best Buy which gives you the 60 GB model and four games, two of which Lego Indian Jones and NBA 2k9 are pretty good and that is only $299.
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by Evayy November 15, 2008 9:53 PM PST
Great article and i agree> If you have been shopping all year around and use the various tools on the web as well as bargin sites. While the thrills are there for the strong of heart and abled body. THose that do research can find great or good/fair deals all year round. I do think if the stock isn't there the retailers may have a disapointing season.
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by cleptomaniac November 17, 2008 4:31 AM PST
I don't know how great a deal this really is but Sears has a Sharp blu-ray for sale for 179.99. Not quite that 150 price point you mention but pretty close. Here's the link;
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_05757968000P
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by travismcn November 17, 2008 6:53 AM PST
How about a blu-ray for $145?? Check out Woot.com today!
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by sghanna November 17, 2008 3:25 PM PST
I find the best tech deals on slickdeals.net; as for the best non tech deals look at dealnews.com
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Showing 1 of 2 pages (28 Comments)
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About The Cheapskate

The best things in tech are cheap. "The Cheapskate" scours the Web for great deals on PCs, phones, gadgets, and all the other tech stuff that makes life worth living. Send your own cheapskate tips to thecheapskate@gmail.com. Rick is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CNET. Disclosure. Deals found on The Cheapskate are subject to availability, expiration, and other terms determined by sellers.

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