Here we go again.....Let's see who can predict the future the best in our 2008 edition of this discussion

Is this the big year for HDTVs?

I'm predicting that if gas is $6 per gal by Black Friday, there will be fewer folks crowding the malls and more shopping online.

I am SLEEPING IN!!

If I have any last minute shopping, will try to do it online.

as far as HDTVs...they have been popular and I guess still would be- we don't have one yet.
I have no idea what will be the hot items.

Selling too early, to still be big, then?

That's my prediction too. I haven't really paid much attention to Black Friday deals since I always miss out on them anyway.

HDTV, other electronics prices expected to get much cheaper this holiday season

laptops, HDTVs, and blu-ray players all seem to be the common theme

For Wal-Mart/Target, here's what I'm thinking:

*Laptop - $198

*Blu-Ray player - $88

*HDTV 32" - $388


*Various Newer Release DVDs - $9, Blu-Ray $11
(Iron Man, Sex and the City, Dark Knight, Indiana Jones)

*Other DVDs - $4
(Harry Potter, I Am Legend, Shrek the 3rd, Hairspray, High School Musical, Fantastic Four)

*TV Shows on DVD - $12
(24, Friends, Roseanne, One Tree Hill, Heroes, Lost, Desperate Housewives, CSI ????)

*Hannah Montana/Bratz/High School Musical dolls - $7

*Nintendo DS Bundle - $98

*PS2 Special Bundle w/ 2 controllers, game, memory card - $98

*Guitar Hero 3 for PS2 w/ guitar - $48

*GPS unit - $68

*Digital Camera Bundle w/memory card - $38

*Classic Family Board Games - $4

*Xbox Games - $8

*Jeans for men, women - $7

*Jeans for kids - $5


What do you think? Am I way off?

Going a little off topic here......I'm thinking the retailers are very nervous this season. Alot of people lost alot of money the past few weeks and mentally it may be very difficult to buy alot of stuff this season, even if the markets make some nice recoveries by the end of November.

I think people will be watching their spending. Combine that with tightening of credit and people will not have the buying power they did in previous years. One thing that really hasn't come out yet is how much money the banks are losing due to unpaid credit card debt. Unemployment is high, people are having their credit limits lowered, credit card interest rates are increasing, it may be difficult to obtain new credit and people may be afraid to spend alot of cash. This season may be ugly for retailers and the economy as a whole. I hope I'm wrong.

Alan, I totally agree. *sigh*

I know I will be hitting Kohls for thier half off toys, maybe Toys R Us, Michaels, Shoprite. We try to stear clear of electronics having learned from years past.