Don’t Fall For These 7 Black Friday ‘Deals’ — Experts Explain Why They’re Not Worth It

Black Friday, Woman holding many shopping bags while walking in the shopping mall background.
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As the holiday season swings into view, people start making plans for Black Friday. Early morning sales, gifts with purchase and promises of unbeatable prices attract eager shoppers hoping to save money

But not every Black Friday deal lives up to the hype. Some offers fall short, with misleading discounts or promotions that appear to be better than they are. 

Here are some Black Friday “deals” to resist falling for this year.

Also see four Black Friday shopping scams to avoid in 2024.

Minimal Discounts

Robert Davis, co-founder and CEO of Sandhill Digital, said discounts below 20% generally don’t generate much consumer excitement or provide meaningful savings.

“Instead, shoppers respond more strongly to discounts of 30% or more, which tend to stand out in a crowded Black Friday landscape,” he said. 

Inflated Discounts

Davis said that another trend to watch for is when brands adjust prices just before Black Friday to create the illusion of a discount. In these cases, he said the “sale” price is often similar to or even higher than the regular price offered weeks prior. 

For example, a store could raise the price on winter coats by 15% in the weeks leading up to Black Friday. Then, when Black Friday arrives, it discounts the coats 10%, meaning the coats are more expensive during Black Friday than just weeks before. Always compare prices to ensure it’s a good deal. 

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‘Don’t Miss Out’ Deals

Also look out for “don’t miss out” deals that try to spark urgency with consumers.

“We’ve noticed that some brands offer better deals on Cyber Monday, especially as they aim to re-engage customers who shopped on Black Friday,” Davis explained. “Shoppers might find it worthwhile to compare deals over the weekend if they’re looking for the best savings.”

‘Gift With Purchase’ Promotions

Don’t be tempted by Black Friday deals that offer a gift with another purchase. Davis said that “gift with purchase” (GWP) promotions aren’t always equal, so be vigilant when shopping at stores with these promotions.

“While some GWP items are standard or low-cost add-ons that may not offer much extra value, other brands provide genuinely exclusive items that are only available to customers who shop within a limited window,” he explained. “For consumers interested in exclusive or limited-edition products, these promotions can be a worthwhile part of their Black Friday shopping strategy.”

However, he added that it’s still important to assess the base discount before making a purchase.

Furniture Deals

Melissa Cid, a consumer savings expert at MySavings.com, said that furniture items are rarely a good buy during Black Friday because there are better sales throughout the year. 

“Big retailers focus more on discounting holiday gifts in November,” she said. “The new year brings bigger sales on furniture, such as living room furniture before the Super Bowl and furniture for your whole home during Memorial Day and Labor Day.”

Fitness Equipment Deals

Cid also recommended holding off on buying new fitness equipment until closer to January. 

“Retailers know that weight loss and health are on many consumers’ minds for the new year and will have big sales on fitness bikes, treadmills, dumbbells and more,” she said. 

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Deals That Seem Too Good To Be True

“A lot of Black Friday deals that sound too good to be true usually are,” said Josh Neuman, a marketing professional and founder of Chummy Tees. “One example is when you see clothing brands offering 70% to 80% off. It’s tempting, but in my opinion, that’s a red flag.”

Neuman explained that if a company can afford to cut prices that much, it often means one of two things: “Either the initial markup was ridiculously high, or the product quality just isn’t there,” he said. “In fashion … there’s a baseline cost to producing something well.”

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