Black Friday is a shopping extravaganza many eagerly await every year. It’s a day (and weekend) when shoppers get their hands on some of the best deals of the year. Or is it? 

While Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales can be exciting, it’s important to approach them with a critical eye. Many shoppers assume they’re getting the best deal possible, but that’s not always the case. 

As you start finding your inbox inundated with holiday offers, it’s worth stepping back and asking the question, is it really a deal?

You’re Not Guaranteed to Actually Get the Lowest Price

On Black Friday, retailers have a wide variety of products on sale. While it can be enticing to get things for every area of your life, it’s important to know some sale items will have lower sale prices at other times throughout the year. 

You might find exercise gear on sale around Black Friday, but often, the same products will have better sale prices after the New Year. Similarly, toys often start going on sale on Black Friday but tend to get cheaper around 10 days before Christmas. 

Winter clothes will usually be on sale for Black Friday, too. This is great if you urgently need a new winter coat or boots for you or your family. But if you don’t need the items for this winter, the same coat will usually be on sale again later in the season for a better price. 

This doesn’t mean you won’t save with Black Friday shopping. It just means you’ll want to think critically about the purchases you make to be sure you’re getting the best deal.

The Best “Deals” May Not Be on Top Quality Products

Another Black Friday secret is sometimes the products you see on sale are not top quality. 

This is often the case for electronics. While you might find TVs on sale for a great price, they likely won’t be name brands or even brands you’ve heard of. 

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, if you’re looking for a cheap TV or tablet. But if you’re looking for products that are built to last, the deals may not be as good. 

It’s important to understand the quality of the items you’re buying. Better quality electronics will last longer, so your money will go further. If you’re on a tight budget but want a higher-quality TV, they typically go on sale in the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl. So, waiting a few months longer might help you get more for your money.

Sometimes the Savings are an Illusion

It’s important to remember that if a deal seems too good to be true, it might be. 

Some of the discounts you’ll see on Black Friday don’t reflect the item’s true price. 

A study by Itmagination found that discounts offered during Black Friday were just a gimmick used to get shoppers in the store and sell off inventory. They found that the product prices were often raised before Black Friday so that the discounts could be applied on Black Friday. 

These discounts often brought the prices back down to their original level. But because of the initial markup, it seemed like shoppers were saving. 

The best thing to do to be sure you’re getting a deal is to watch the prices of the items you want to buy for a few weeks or a month prior to Black Friday to see the actual trend. 

Be sure to review multiple retailers to find the best deals.

Marketing Tactics are Designed to Make You Spend More

In 2022, companies spent nearly $481 billion dollars on marketing, according to Statista. It’s a huge industry that touches every part of our lives and works hard to drive our behavior. 

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are no different. 

Through wording like “limited time deal” or “limited quantity,” retailers work to drive up demand by creating a false sense of urgency. Sure, some deals may only be around a few short days. But most of the items will be on sale again at other times of the year, and sometimes even for a better price. 

It’s important to understand the marketing that’s at play. It can draw you into deals that you would not consider otherwise and cause you to spend more money. And even when something is on sale, if you weren’t planning to buy it in the first place, you aren’t really saving.

The Best Black Friday/Cyber Monday Deals for Your Budget

While the Black Friday sales might not save you as much as they once did, there are still ways to take advantage of the sales and stick to your budget. 

If you plan to shop Black Friday sales, make yourself a list of items you’re looking for. This will help keep you focused. It will also allow you to price compare across retailers to be sure you’re getting the best deal. 

You can also use Black Friday to stock up on essentials that you use year-round. If you find products you regularly use on sale, buying them in bulk can help you save throughout the year. 

It can also be helpful to shop online. Shopping online can help keep you focused and avoid overspending. 

While Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals might help you save some money, it’s important to understand the truth about the deals you see. Think carefully about what you’re buying, and always keep your budget in mind. If you do this, you’ll be savvy about Black Friday deals and find those that fit your budget.