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HDTV: Will Black Friday Be a Bust?
tvpredictions.com ^ | November 14, 2007 | Phillip Swann

Posted on 11/17/2007 2:13:31 AM PST by Las Vegas Dave

Black Friday has traditionally treated early bird shoppers to a bonanza of great deals on High-Definition TVs and other products.

However, there are two reports today that suggest that the unofficial start of the holiday season may be a major disappointment -- for retailers and shoppers.

First, Gary Balter, a Credit Suisse analyst, issued a report today saying that retailers may not slash prices on high-def sets the way they did last year.

In 2006 on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, retailers cut prices on some HDTVs by as much as 30 percent, triggering a large boost in set sales.

But Balter says retailers, which lost money last year with the price cuts, are likely to be more careful this year.

"One of the larger bear arguments on consumer electronics retailer stocks is that the Black Friday massacre of 2006 will repeat itself this year," wrote Balter, according to Reuters. "Yet an analysis of the (Black Friday) ads as well as a look at LCD and plasma supply argue that this Black Friday will be less red and possibly even be black."

Several web sites have already leaked details of HDTV discounts at stores such as Costco, Sears and Wal-Mart. For instance, according to BlackFriday,info, Sears will sell a 42-inch LG Plasma HDTV for $899, a Panasonic 56-inch 1080p HDTV for $1,199 and a Toshiba HD-A3 HD DVD player for $169.

But while retailers will cut prices on Black Friday this year, Balter cautions that the discounting won't be as deep as last year, perhaps leveling off at 23 percent.

"A Panasonic 50-inch plasma that was selling for $3,499 in September was offered for $1,699 and $1,899 on Black Friday in 2006," he said. "This led to widespread price declines across the market through Christmas, resulting in a significant decline in TV margins."

Meanwhile, the research firm ShopperTrak said today that holiday foot traffic on Black Friday and thereafter could fall 2.5 percent this year. He cites consumer concern over rising gas prices and the continued housing slump. "In terms of traffic, 2007 has been a rather slow year for retailers," said ShopperTrak's Bill Martin. "With rising gasoline prices and consumer confidence continuing to lag behind last year's levels, we don't see this trend changing during the holidays."


TOPICS: TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: hdtv
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To: Las Vegas Dave
"In terms of traffic, 2007 has been a rather slow year for retailers," said ShopperTrak's Bill Martin. "With rising gasoline prices and consumer confidence continuing to lag behind last year's levels, we don't see this trend changing during the holidays."
Seems like people might concentrate on one major gift buy, rather than drive around. Could be a good year for big-ticket. OTOH, people may be waiting another year for A) the analog signal death deadline to get closer and B) for the prices to come down further. Also, isn't there some new and different flat-screen tech in the pipeline? Thanks LVD.
21 posted on 11/17/2007 8:53:19 AM PST by SunkenCiv (Profile updated Thursday, November 15, 2007. https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: SunkenCiv

OLED TV’s, Thats what i’m waiting for.
Bought a nice Sony HD CRT last year and hope to skip this whole Plasma/LCD business.

I just hope OLED turns out good as well as the prices.
A few links....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_light-emitting_diode

http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/12/sony-1-000-000-1-oled-tv-on-sale-in-2007/

http://www.oled-info.com/tags/companies/sony


22 posted on 11/17/2007 9:12:30 AM PST by mowowie
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To: Shimmer

Maybe Santa fuzzy will help save a life after all.


23 posted on 11/17/2007 9:38:36 AM PST by BlackHood55 (The Power of Love)
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To: Theo

The HD-A2 is the one Wal-Mart had for $98 a few weeks back. I managed to get two of them.


24 posted on 11/17/2007 9:56:48 AM PST by LanPB01
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To: mowowie

Gee, usually organic costs twice as much. ;’)


25 posted on 11/17/2007 10:02:15 AM PST by SunkenCiv (Profile updated Thursday, November 15, 2007. https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: LanPB01

You don’t know if the A3 is significantly better, do you? It’s not a whole lot more money than the A2....


26 posted on 11/17/2007 11:03:35 AM PST by Theo (Global warming "scientists." Pro-evolution "scientists." They're both wrong.)
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To: Theo

From what I’ve read, it doesn’t seem to be. Plus, if your television is 1080p and has a good de-interlacer, there shouldn’t be any difference in picture.

The XA-2 model is supposed to provide a better picture than either, but it was too expensive for me to justify.


27 posted on 11/17/2007 11:12:13 AM PST by LanPB01
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To: Theo

You can check out some of the discussion of the A2 vs. the A3 here.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=940408


28 posted on 11/17/2007 11:14:21 AM PST by LanPB01
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To: SunkenCiv

I stay away from them stores. :)


29 posted on 11/17/2007 11:16:26 AM PST by mowowie
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To: mowowie

Umm. I have NO idea how to go about doing what you suggest. Can you come over for dinner??? and bring your family. And your tools. We can watch TV after dinner (after you work on it that is!!!)

I wonder if that could be it.


30 posted on 11/17/2007 12:29:56 PM PST by Shimmer (Love is friendship that has caught fire)
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To: Shimmer

LOL
I don’t expect you to open up the tv it’s just sad that the 2 knobs that will fix most probs with a tv are hidded right behind the back cover. Seems to me they are hidden to give us a reason to throw it out and buy a new one.


31 posted on 11/17/2007 2:13:41 PM PST by mowowie
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To: mowowie

But...but.. but...if you all don’t come over (and you fix the TV) then i WILL have to buy a new one! (one day)

LOL


32 posted on 11/17/2007 2:27:39 PM PST by Shimmer
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To: Shimmer

OK, OK, I’m looking for my screwdriver now!!
I live outside of Boston so if I head out in about 10 mins I should be pulling up your driveway at say about 4ish tomorrow afternoon.
You BETTER have some good grub on the table when i get there!! :)


33 posted on 11/17/2007 3:38:59 PM PST by mowowie
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To: kinoxi

I never shop on black friday


34 posted on 11/17/2007 3:42:15 PM PST by television is just wrong (deport all illegal aliens NOW. Put all AMERICANS TO WORK FIRST. END Welfare)
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To: mowowie

ok (feverishly cooking) it will be worth it to have a TV I can watch! yayyyyyy

oh wait...don’t tell me you have 10 kids and I have to feed them all! ack! I might get off cheaper to buy a new TV. LOL


35 posted on 11/17/2007 6:43:04 PM PST by Shimmer
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To: Las Vegas Dave

Thanks for the ping.


36 posted on 11/17/2007 10:04:24 PM PST by Brandie (Duncan Hunter in 08' Islam is a Death Cult, is that simple enough to understand!)
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To: Theo

Is the Toshiba HD-A3 the one Walmart and Best Buy are selling for $100, or are they selling the Toshiba HD-A2?


I think the better HD-DVD player is the HD-A35, but it costs $400. HD-A35 outputs 1080p in addition to 1080i. A2 only has 1080i.

I am waiting for the A35 to drop some and then I’ll go in. Maybe their might be a deal on that this Friday.


37 posted on 11/17/2007 10:13:06 PM PST by racing fan (Go Buckeyes!!!!)
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To: Shimmer

No kids but somehow I got lost and now i’m in Philly...I think.
Probably time to turn around, Sorry.
I did hear that Walmart is gonna have some sweet tv’s for sale on friday though!! :)


38 posted on 11/18/2007 7:33:18 AM PST by mowowie
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To: mowowie

boo hoo!! And I had the roast cooking already. Tender...tasty...roast.

Maybe I can lure some other technician down here...ya think???? LOL

oh yeah, in Philly...turn left at the next light and it will take you right out of downtown


39 posted on 11/18/2007 7:51:24 AM PST by Shimmer
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To: Sacajaweau
I buy EVERYTHING on the web, have done so for 5 years and would never do otherwise. he only time I visit the stores are if I am not to familiar with a product and then I spend about 15 minutes there and then if satisfied I want it get the best price n the web.
40 posted on 11/18/2007 3:07:35 PM PST by aroundabout
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