Planning to shop on Black Friday this year? Here's what you need to know about the deals that catch your eye before making a purchase.
This year, the shopping landscape is shifting as retailers gear up for Black Friday. Major players like Walmart, Amazon, and Macy's have been rolling out sales since early November, but the best discounts will typically hit during the week of Thanksgiving.
For instance, Target is set to offer steep reductions on kitchen gadgets, including $210 off the KitchenAid Professional 5qt Stand Mixer from Nov. 21 to Nov. 27. Walmart will cut $90 off the Apple Watch Series 3 GPS 38mm Sport Band, available online on Nov. 21 or in-store on Nov. 26. Meanwhile, Macy's will feature various discounts on home essentials, apparel, and beauty products, such as 50% off the Urban Decay Naked3 Eyeshadow Palette from Nov. 23 to Nov. 27.
With so many stores launching different promotions on varying products, sorting through the best offers can feel overwhelming. Here's a closer look at crucial Black Friday deals along with warnings on what to avoid.
POOR-QUALITY ITEMS
Some doorbuster items are created exclusively for Black Friday, similar to certain outlet-only products. These may lack essential features found in their regular counterparts, especially in electronics like TVs. This issue can also occur with bags and leather accessories. Before you buy, examine product details to ensure it meets your requirements, and compare model numbers to verify you're getting a genuine deal.
LIMITED STOCK
Retailers offer doorbuster deals to attract customers, hoping you'll purchase unmarked items. Since doorbusters are often scarce, you might not find what you initially wanted. Before heading out, check store ads for product availability to make sure your trip is worthwhile.
REBATE REQUIREMENTS
Many Black Friday deals come with mail-in rebate stipulations. While some shoppers excel at keeping track of paperwork, many rebates go unclaimed—around $500 million annually, per reports. Consider if you'll genuinely follow through on the rebate process. Often, it's simpler to shop at stores providing immediate discounts. For hassle-free savings, consider cash back apps like CouponCabin that reward you for shopping through your device, or use Slide at checkout for 4% cash back at partnered stores.
DECEPTIVE SALES
Some retailers mislead shoppers into believing that all items on their site are discounted for Black Friday, when in reality, many exclusions apply. Before filling your cart, read the fine print to understand which brands and products are actually on sale. Once you know the eligible items, don't assume the listed price is the lowest available. A quick online search can yield additional coupons for larger savings. Check out deal sites like CouponFollow.com or install a coupon extension like Cently that automatically applies discounts at checkout. Signing up for a retailer's email list can also net you a 10% discount, which you can unsubscribe from after receiving your offer.
Remember, some items might be cheaper on Cyber Monday. Generally, shoes and apparel see better prices then compared to Black Friday. Additionally, for travel, wait for Travel Deal Tuesday on Nov. 30 for better deals on flights, accommodations, and car rentals than those available on Black Friday and Cyber Monday—about 30% more than Cyber Monday and 40% more than Black Friday, as noted by travel price tracking apps.
ARTIFICIALLY INFLATED PRICES
Retailers may raise original prices to make Black Friday discounts appear more enticing. Shoppers often feel encouraged to buy when they see greater savings. Don't fall for this tactic; check price histories to see if a Black Friday deal is genuinely the lowest recent price using tools like CamelCamelCamel.com. Stick to your shopping list and resist the temptation of big discount claims that might lead you astray.
