Black Friday deals on LCD and plasma HDTVs

If you're among the bargain-hunters who plan their post-Thanksgiving shopping strategy like a military invasion, you're no doubt aware that price cuts have been accelerating in recent weeks, especially for HDTVs. (For more information, see our latest report, LCD & plasma TVs: Lower price and higher quality add up to good deals. And check out our free HDTV Buying Guide for help on choosing a set that fits your needs and budget.)

Several TV manufacturers lopped about $200 off prices, and retailers announced pre-Thanksgiving sales, both in stores and online. What can you expect this weekend?

Major-brand deals

In past years, many of the best TV deals were from second- or third-tier TV brands. But with the sluggish economy and slower-than-expected second-half sales, big-name manufacturers seem less willing to abdicate any business to lesser-known rivals. Several major brands have come out with so-called "derivative" sets, lower-priced models sold under a unique model name or number. Available only during holiday promotions, these TVs typically have more-basic specs and fewer features than standard models. This allows a major brand to compete with offbrands without cannibalizing sales of their regular line of higher-priced products.

Both Samsung and Panasonic—brands that have generally done very well in Consumer Reports' Ratings of HDTVs (available to subscribers)—have introduced promotional LCD and plasma sets for retailers to sell during the Black Friday period. Specific examples include Panasonic's TH-50PE8U, a 50-inch 720p plasma, and Samsung's A300-, A400-, and A500-series plasma and LCD sets. So far, prices for these promotional models have been fairly consistent from retailer to retailer, so you won't save much, if anything, by shopping at one retailer instead of another. For example, Best Buy is selling the 50-inch Panasonic set for $900, the same price as Kmart.

Double-down for savings

Another trend we're seeing is the increased use of "bundling" two or more items, such as a TV and Blu-ray player, at a special low price. Some stores, such as Best Buy, also combine services, such as basic installation, as part of the special. Such deals typically revolve around a single brand. In Best Buy's case, examples include a Sony 42-inch Bravia LCD TV bundled with a Sony home-theater system and a 47-inch Insignia LCD TV bundled with an Insignia Blu-ray player and installation. Circuit City also has several Sony TV/Blu-ray bundles.

Go online before you go out

We expect to see more Black Friday specials that aren't featured in store circulars, which are printed weeks before the event. Given the volatile retail environment, these promotions let stores react to last-minute price moves by manufacturers and local competitors. Check out retailer Web sites to find out about unadvertised specials or doorbuster deals available either online or in-store. If the retailer is charging less for a product online, ask if they'll match that price in-store; many will.

And don't wait for the holiday weekend to shop the Web. Online retailers have only a few days left to get your money before you spend it elsewhere on Friday morning, so there should be very aggressive pricing this week. You could get a Black Friday-type deal without battling the crowds in the store.

Get a guarantee

Of course, one of the biggest questions facing TV shoppers this year is whether to buy on Black Friday or wait till later in the season for a lower price. In past years we've seen prices rise after Black Friday and the following Cyber Monday, but if sales don't meet retailer expectations, it's possible that more drastic price cuts could occur closer to Christmas, especially if inventories pile up.

Given these uncertain times, the best Black Friday shopping advice we can give is this: Make sure the retailer offers a 30-day price guarantee, and track prices not only there but at competitors for the weeks after your purchase. That way, even if your TV sells for less in the next month, you can sip your eggnog happy in the knowledge that you still got the best deal possible.

You'll find other money-saving tips in Buying Electronics, a report from our December issue. And for other news about holiday deals, check out Tightwad Tod on CR's Money Blog. 

—James K. Willcox