Is Black Friday Still Worth It?
Black Friday has evolved significantly. What was once a single-day, in-store event is now a multi-week online extravaganza. And with that evolution has come a lot of noise — "doorbuster" deals that aren't as deep as they appear, inflated pre-sale prices followed by fake markdowns, and pressure to buy before you've had time to think. But legitimate deals do exist. The shoppers who benefit most are the ones who show up prepared.
Start Your Prep 4–6 Weeks Early
The biggest mistake shoppers make is starting their Black Friday research on Black Friday. Here's what to do in advance:
- Build your wish list now. Identify 5–10 specific items you genuinely want or need. Be specific — brand, model, size.
- Record current prices. Screenshot or note the current price of each item. This gives you a real baseline to measure "deals" against.
- Start tracking prices with tools like CamelCamelCamel (Amazon) or Google Shopping. You'll get alerts if prices drop — or you'll notice if they suspiciously rise before the sale.
- Know your budget. Set a hard cap before any shopping begins. Black Friday's urgency is designed to override your budget discipline.
Which Categories Actually Have the Best Black Friday Deals?
Not all categories see equal discounts. Historically, the deepest and most reliable Black Friday deals appear in:
- TVs: Consistently one of the strongest Black Friday categories. Retailers use TV deals to drive foot traffic and online visits.
- Small appliances and kitchen gadgets: Air fryers, Instant Pots, and similar items frequently hit yearly lows.
- Bedding and home goods: Often overlooked but regularly 40–60% off.
- Toys and games: Heavy discounts ahead of the holiday season.
- Clothing and accessories: Good deals, but less predictable — check your preferred retailers' sale history.
Categories that rarely deliver true Black Friday savings: Apple products, LEGO sets, newly released gaming consoles, and luxury goods.
The Price Inflation Warning Sign
A common tactic: a retailer raises a product's "original" price in the weeks before Black Friday, then applies a percentage-off discount that brings it back to — or barely below — its normal price. Always compare the Black Friday price to what the item sold for in September or October, not the inflated "was" price shown on the sale listing.
Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday: Which is Better?
| Black Friday | Cyber Monday | |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Electronics, appliances, in-store exclusives | Online-only deals, software, clothing |
| Shopping Mode | In-store & online | Online only |
| Competition | High (limited quantities) | Lower pressure, more availability |
| Deal Depth | Often deeper on big-ticket items | Often better on fashion and digital goods |
Day-Of Shopping Strategy
- Have items in your cart ahead of time — many online flash deals sell out in minutes.
- Check multiple retailers simultaneously. Price match policies can give you deal pricing with a preferred retailer's shipping or return policy.
- Activate cashback portals before checkout — don't forget Rakuten or your card's shopping portal.
- Stick to your list. If it wasn't on your pre-Black Friday list, apply a 24-hour waiting period before buying.
After Black Friday: The Less Crowded Alternatives
If you miss a deal or feel rushed, remember: Cyber Monday, Green Monday (second Monday of December), and post-Christmas sales in late December all offer comparable discounts with far less pressure. The "best deal of the year" narrative is mostly marketing — patient shoppers win year-round.