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Stop! Don’t Buy These 9 Items on Black Friday
You’re better off shopping for these products at different times of the year
Sarah Rogers (Getty 7)
With all the excitement surrounding Black Friday, it’s easy to get caught up in the thrill and end up overspending or making purchases that leave you with buyer’s remorse. And, unfortunately, not every item is a good buy on the biggest shopping day of the year.
Experts say it’s better to wait to buy certain items, since prices may fall further or be cheaper at different times of the year. And with inflation and tariffs putting pressure on many holiday shoppers’ budgets, every dollar you can save on Black Friday counts.
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Here are nine products that retail analysts recommend shoppers avoid on Black Friday.
1. Bedding and linens
The best prices of the year on soft home goods, like sheets and towels, occur during the “white sales” that traditionally take place in January.
“Not only do retailers including Pottery Barn, Macy’s and JCPenney plan for big sales around that time, since it’s a known promotional event, but they will also be further discounting any holiday merchandise that’s in that category that didn’t sell,” says budget consultant Andrea Woroch.
2. Travel
You won’t have to wait long to get the best prices on flights and hotels. These historically appear on “Travel Tuesday,” which takes place Dec. 2 this year. Flights purchased on Travel Tuesday carry average discounts of 15 percent to 25 percent, according to Skyscanner, an airfare tracking website.
3. Most toys
In general, retailers lower toy prices throughout December. So the longer you wait, the better deals you’ll get on items like blocks, dolls and video games.
“If you’re not picky about toys and just want some generalized stocking stuffers and good evergreen gifts for birthday parties in the coming year, shop right before Christmas,” says Kristin McGrath, editor at The Krazy Coupon Lady. “Retailers will be eager to offload remaining toys and games and will start marking them down the week of Christmas.”
There are two exceptions. First, if you’re looking to purchase a “hot” toy — this year, that may include the Rainbow Brite plush doll and the Easy Bake Ultimate Electric Oven — consider taking advantage of Black Friday discounts. The price may still go down later, but you run the risk of the item selling out.
Second: Lego sets have sold at Target, Walmart or Lego.com for 40 percent off during Thanksgiving weekend. Lego discounts don’t get much lower than that, so snag one when available, says Julie Ramhold, a senior editor at DealNews, a daily deals website.
4. Most winter clothing
Despite the crisper air, winter hasn’t officially started, Ramhold says. “Because of that, the Black Friday sales will boast modest savings, at best, on heavier winter clothing such as coats and snow boots.”
The one exception, he adds: We may see cold-weather accessories marked down for Black Friday, “which are often marketed as gifts during Black Friday sales, so there’s a good chance we’ll see decent offers on things like scarves, beanies, gloves and even sets in giftable packaging.”
5. Off-brand doorbusters
If you see an item — especially electronics or kitchen appliances — with a price that appears too good to be true, look closer before making the purchase.
“While there are some great deals on electronics to be had on Black Friday, it’s important to be discerning,” says Michelle Madhok, publisher of the fashion news and deals site SheFinds. “Avoid buying cheap, off-brand electronics that may not last long.” Instead, she says, focus on reputable brands and check the model number and product reviews before purchasing a doorbuster.
6. Bundles
Retailers often package multiple items together to push up the total price tag. This could be a good deal if you want all the items in the bundle and they’re selling for less than they’d cost individually. But often retailers use this tactic to move inventory that’s not in high demand.
“Unless you really need the extra item bundled into the promo, you’re better off shopping around for just the specific product on your list and skip the add-on,” Woroch says.
7. Electronics
Black Friday electronics discounts can be tempting, but you may see even greater price cuts if you hold out for a few more days. The lowest prices on most gadgets — discounts up to 28 percent off — will hit on Cyber Monday this year, according to Adobe projections.
8. Gift cards at face value
Gift cards consistently represent the most wanted holiday gift, according to the National Retail Federation. But you don’t always have to purchase gift cards at face value. Look for promotions that offer a free gift card with a gift card purchase, a popular Black Friday deal, Woroch says.
“For example, you may get a free $10 gift card for every $50 spent on gift cards at a restaurant or retailer,” she says. “We also saw some stores offer free gift cards with purchase deals over Black Friday, typically on higher-priced and name-brand products like Apple items at Target.”
9. Full-price products
Retailers are hoping that customers will get so caught up in the excitement of shopping Thanksgiving weekend that they’ll not only buy discounted products, but also full-priced items. Don’t fall for it. A better tact: wait to see whether the item you want goes on sale in the next week or two.
AARP editor Daniel Bortz contributed to this report.
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