What to Buy and What Not to Buy on Black Friday

For those who love to shop ‘til they drop, Black Friday is likely their favorite shopping day of the year. A smorgasbord of deals awaits them at virtually every store. Speaking of deals – is everything shown in the Black Friday ads actually a good deal? Not necessarily. While the prices may be rock-bottom, unfortunately, the quality may be as well. Just because it’s a good price doesn’t mean you should hurry and snatch it up the day after Thanksgiving. You might regret it not too far down the road when the appliance breaks.

Most of the items found in the Black Friday ad are off-brand, so if you’re searching for a great deal on an iPad, Sony TV, or high-quality furniture set, good luck. The items may not be the latest and greatest. In fact, they could even be last year’s discards. So what exactly should you be buying on November 24th? Read on to find out which items you should be putting in your cart and which ones you should leave on the shelves.

This Black Friday, we're making our way to Amazon, Best Buy, Target, Walmart, Macy's, Kohl's, and Toys R Us for the best deals around. Follow us there!

What to Buy

Spend your Black Friday shopping time – and money – buying these items.

1. TVs: If you’re looking for a top-of-the line television set, wait a few months. Super Bowl season offers some great deals on a huge TVs. However, if a low-priced alternative will work just fine, Black Friday is the time to shop. Some of the best deals will be offered on a 32” TV, which will cost you less than $100, and a 40” TV, which will cost about $125 based on last year’s $125 Hisense and Element 40” 1080p LED HDTVs at Walmart. New TVs are introduced to the market in January, which means that Black Friday is the best time to get ahold of older models at the lowest prices of the year. If you’re looking for decent brands on moderately-sized televisions, get ready to shop this Black Friday. Click here to see the best Black Friday TV Deals of 2017.
    
2. Video games and consoles: For the gamers in your life, Black Friday offers great deals. You can save 50% or more on popular titles – hot games that will typically set you back $50 or more. In addition, prices are often slashed on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One X consoles, and with the release of the Nintendo NES Classic Edition this year, we’re hoping for lower prices as well. For handheld gaming consoles, look for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo 2DX to drop in price. Moreover, you can often find console and game bundles at great prices, many which include gift cards, rebates, and other freebies. Click here to read about Black Friday 2017 Video Games and Console Predictions.
    
3. Laptops: If you need something basic without all the bells and whistles, Black Friday deals often include laptops for as low as $150. These are for older models, but they’re in new condition and work great. Click here to read about Black Friday 2017 Laptop Predictions.
    
4. Toys: Black Friday is considered the best day of the year for toy shopping. In fact, stores such as Toys R Us are open early on Black Friday for your shopping pleasure. Look for the biggest brands at discounted prices, such as Hatchimals, LEGO, Barbie, and more. Your child’s favorite characters definitely will be sold at the best price of the year. Just be sure to shop early before the stores sell out of the most coveted toys. Click here to read about the Best Black Friday Toy Deals of 2017.
    
5. Winter apparel: Rain and snow have already hit many states. If you haven’t bought a coat yet – or need a new one – check out your local Black Friday ads. Many stores such as Kohl’s and JCPenney offer huge markdowns of 60% off on coats, sweaters, and other cold-weather apparel. Macy’s and other department stores tend to have great deals – up to 50% off – on sweaters and outerwear so you can stay toasty during the holidays.
    
6. Small appliances and cookware: Black Friday is a great time to update your kitchen. Toasters, microwaves, blenders, and electric can openers are priced to sell for as low as $7.99 after rebate offers. Regardless of rebates, many retailers such as Walmart, Target, and Macy’s will be offering home goods under $10. Looking for cookware? Head over to these same retailers to find T-Fal sets under $50 for 18 pieces or Rachel Ray cookware sets under $100. These items make great gifts for college students living in dorms or those who have just moved out on their own.

What Not to Buy

Hold off on these items. The prices may be tempting, but you’ll be able to find better deals and quality at a different time.

1. High-end laptops: While Black Friday is a good time to buy basic laptops, if you’re looking for a high-quality gaming laptop or something with a lot of memory, wait until summer. Back to school sales during July, August, and September will yield significant price cuts on these high-end models.
    
2. Furniture: Black Friday ads are typically free of furniture sales. If you need a new couch or patio set, you just missed your opportunity for the year’s lowest prices. Home furniture prices are the best in July and August, while it’s recommended to buy patio furniture in August and September.
    
3. Flights: Need to book your 2018 travel plans? While it’s usually recommended to do it as early as possible, you’ll be rewarded if you wait until January. Travel deals will be easy to find during this time.
    
4. Chocolates: These won’t last until Christmas, so don’t buy them on Black Friday. Deals will be hard to find anyway. You’ll see a ton of sales in December, so wait until then to get your chocolate fix – for yourself or the friends and family on your list.
    
5. Holiday decorations: Need more Christmas lights? Looking to add an inflatable Santa Claus to your front lawn? Although you’re thinking about decorations in November, Black Friday is not the right time to buy them. The best time is actually right after Christmas when stores are looking to get rid of holiday items. So if you want to be ready for Christmas 2018, start shopping on December 26.

When shopping on Black Friday, be conscious of what you are actually buying. As the saying goes, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Black Friday is all about buying cheap stuff at cheap prices, Remember, you get what you pay for. If quality is your main concern, expect to pay a little more at a different time of the year.