No, not everything is cheaper on Black Friday. Studies show that a vast majority (88–93%) of products are actually the same price or cheaper at other times of the year. While some tech and home appliances offer genuine, best-in-year prices, many items are marketed with false urgency, often appearing cheaper in January or, in some cases, earlier in the year.
We found that a massive 98% of products that were on sale on Black Friday 2021 were actually cheaper or the same as their Black Friday price at other times in the year.
Black Friday discounts average around 26% to 38%, but this varies significantly by product, with some studies showing far less genuine savings, as many retailers inflate prices beforehand, making it appear as a bigger discount than it is. While you can find good deals, research suggests many products are often cheaper or the same price at other times of the year, with some reports stating up to 80% of Black Friday items aren't at their lowest price ever during the sale.
It's generally better to shop during Black Friday for the widest range of deals, especially on tech and gaming, but prices before Black Friday or even after Christmas can sometimes beat Black Friday prices for specific items, with many "Black Friday" deals appearing earlier in November. The best strategy involves tracking prices beforehand, buying mid-November if you find a great deal with price protection, or waiting for the main event, as Black Friday still offers significant discounts for many popular products, though you need to watch for inflated "original" prices.
What items are not typically discounted on Black Friday?
The Brief. WalletHub found that 36% of Black Friday items offer no real savings, though some categories still have strong deals. Experts say the best buys are consumer packaged goods, apparel, accessories, and jewelry, while appliances and electronics are less worthwhile.
Stop Overpaying: Track Prices Before You Buy on Black Friday
Is it worth buying stuff on Black Friday?
We found: 100% of products were cheaper or the same price in the six months either side of the sale day when compared to their Black Friday price. Compared to the 'sales period', 83% of products were cheaper or equal in price on at least one occasion during the year, and 42% of products were cheaper at least once.
The biggest sales events in the UK are Black Friday/Cyber Monday (late November), offering massive discounts across tech, fashion, and home goods, followed closely by the post-Christmas Boxing Day sales, a traditional peak for deep discounts on everything from electronics to fashion. Other major sales include the Summer Sales (June/July) and January Sales, plus back-to-school deals in August/September.
One of the things people dislike the most about Black Friday is the huge crowds of people all vying for the same items. Some people wait outside in the cold just to save a few dollars. The biggest con of all may be the increasing trend of violence during Black Friday events in recent years.
Black Friday, one of the busiest shopping days of the year is no longer limited to a single day. These days, retailers advertise Black Friday week sales.
Is Black Friday or Cyber Monday a better deal? Black Friday usually offers better deals on big-ticket items like TVs, appliances, and laptops, while Cyber Monday often delivers stronger savings on tech accessories, smart devices, and online-only products.
The term “Black Friday” first started circulating in the 1950s and 60s, but it wasn't originally about shopping. Philadelphia police officers used it to describe the huge crowds and traffic jams caused by people coming into the city the day after Thanksgiving.
In our experience, the later you get into a sale, the more likely it is for a product to sell out. So, depending on when you're buying, it really determines when you need to click "add to cart." If it's the week before Black Friday, you may want to wait to make a purchase.
End-of-season sales. The best time to buy clothing for a particular season is when that season is on its way out, as retailers mark down inventory to make room for new merch. ...
Black Friday in the UK can be worth it for specific items if you're prepared, but research from consumer groups like Which? suggests that many deals aren't as good as they seem, with most products being the same price or cheaper at other times of the year, making it easy to get caught out by fake discounts. While some genuinely good deals exist, especially on big-ticket tech and appliances, it requires using price trackers and being disciplined to avoid impulse buys, as retailers often inflate prices beforehand.
Black Friday generally offers better deals, especially for tech and big-ticket electronics, with more items being cheaper in November, but Boxing Day can have deeper discounts on specific leftover items or for fashion/homewares as retailers clear stock post-Christmas, so the best time depends on what you're buying. Track prices to know for sure, but expect Black Friday for volume and Boxing Day for clearing unsold Christmas goods.
No, Black Friday doesn't always make everything cheaper; many studies show that a large percentage of "deals" are actually the same price or even more expensive at other times of the year, with some retailers inflating prices beforehand to make discounts seem bigger, though genuine savings can be found on certain items if you track prices and compare. While some electronics or specific products see true price drops, it's crucial to use price tracking tools and not rush, as the hype can mislead shoppers into thinking they're getting a great deal when they're not.
The We Ain't Buying It campaign – organized by many of the groups behind the No Kings protests – is asking Americans to stop shopping at Target, Home Depot and Amazon on Black Friday, one of the busiest retail days of the year, while also encouraging people to shop local and support community businesses.
A more accurate explanation of the term dates back to the early 1960s, when police officers in Philadelphia began using the phrase “Black Friday” to describe the chaos that resulted when large numbers of suburban tourists came into the city to begin their holiday shopping and, in some years, attend Saturday's annual ...
The 10-3-1 sales rule is a guideline suggesting that for every 10 qualified leads, you'll get 3 appointments/meaningful conversations, leading to 1 sale, emphasizing that high activity levels generate predictable results, originally popular in life insurance but adaptable to other sales. It's a classic ratio for setting expectations, showing that consistent effort (many 10s) is needed for success, turning an unpredictable business into a more manageable process.
