Cheaper thrills

Actually, everything doesn't cost more these days. Houses are cheaper. OK, bad joke.

But there are products, such as flat-screen TVs, that are less expensive today than a year ago. Blu-ray players and iPhones, for instance. The bargain-hunting public is searching for deals, and a few remain.

Charlotte Sanders of Rancho Cordova has done a lot of shopping and research before buying her first flat-screen TV, and she plans to do more. She's drawn to a Samsung LCD model at Circuit City in Citrus Heights but is determined to get the best deal.

"Just about everything is going up – milk, butter," she says. "The 3-pound bag of coffee (Kirkland brand whole bean) at Costco went up. I really want to get a flat-screen."

She's aware that prices are better this year but says she needs to investigate more models and prices before closing the deal.

"Today, the average consumer shopping for a TV has done over 12 hours of research on the Internet," says store director Manny Salinas. "They're more educated and do a lot more shopping."

Analysts predicted that flat-screen TV prices would drop as much as 20 percent this year, but so far, it's been 6 percent to 8 percent, according to local store managers. Flat-screens have been dropping in price for the past few years but may be about to bottom out.

As Sanders chats with a salesman, Salinas fetches a yellowing Circuit City mailer that is four years old. He points to a Panasonic plasma, flat-screen TV advertised for $5,999. Today, he emphasizes, a comparable model can be had for $999.

Shopping for a flat-screen TV while prices are dropping also encouraged Sanders to find a better deal on the wall-mounting bracket. A family member has volunteered to install the bracket and TV for additional savings.

Now, if you're looking for more of those rare, sweet deals ...

Compact fluorescent light bulbs

At $25 each, the cost of early compact fluorescent bulbs scared off consumers. Today, you can find energy-saving CF bulbs for about $1.50 each, sometimes even less. A year ago, the cost was around $2.50 a bulb; four years ago, it was $4. Lowe's spokeswoman Karen Cobb calls the CF bulbs "a great example of a home improvement product that has gone down in price."

Blu-ray players

The "next generation" high-definition format for DVD players, which were $400 to $500 a year ago, are a few dollars cheaper this year. However, Stan Glasgow, president of the U.S. division of Sony Electronics, has predicted that prices could go as low as $299 near the end of this year.

Despite the price drop, a Harris Poll released last week reported that only 9 percent of those who don't already own a Blu-ray player are likely to buy one in the next year. Still, with dropping prices and more Blu-ray-only film titles being announced, those who waited will reap major savings.

iPhone

Apple introduced the iPhone last summer for $599 (the 8-gigabyte version) but slashed $200 off the price just two months later. Today, the phone can be purchased new for less than $300. Apple's "next generation" iPhone, the 3G version, is expected to be available late next month for $399. But Apple's U.S. sales partner AT&T reportedly will offer an even lower price ($199) for those who sign up for two-year phone contracts.

Digital cameras

More for about the same money, or a bit less, is how digital cameras are priced this year, compared with a year ago. "You're getting more features on cameras for the same price," says Salinas, the Circuit City store director. The average "snapshooter" photographer, according to online product-review site Cnet.com, can expect to pay $150 to $300.

Lumber

Attention, remodelers: The price of lumber has dropped. Yes, there is something positive about the housing slump. With the reduced demand for lumber, prices are down about 19 percent from a year ago, according to the lumber trade publication Random Lengths. "Lumber and drywall are both down," says Home Depot spokeswoman Kathryn Gallagher.

Drywall

Prices of the wall-building sheets have dropped 36 percent in the past year. Again, the housing slump is the reason. Manufacturer USG reports that its average North American first-quarter selling price per 1,000 square feet was $104.41. A year ago, the price was $164.12; two years ago, it hit an all-time high of $188.37.

Flat-screen TVs

Last fall, price-drop predictions ranged from 15 percent to 20 percent, but this spring, ConsumerReports.org adjusted the estimates to "moderate" price drops. More like 6 percent to 8 percent around the Sacramento area, according to store managers. If you already have the big screen, consider buying smaller screens for the kitchen or bedroom.

About the writer:

• Call The Bee's Dan Vierria, (916) 321-1119.