Top 10 Black Friday Shopping Tips for 2023
Follow CR's advice to get the best deals now and through the holiday season
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Some of us wait all year for the Black Friday shopping season, our heads filled with the promise of scoring the very best price on a new TV, smart speaker, laptop or other high-tech gadget. And for good reason—this is when we tend to see some of the biggest discounts of the year on virtually everything.
In the past few years, the start of the holiday season has shifted earlier and earlier. This year, it kicked off at the beginning of October with a big sale at Target, followed by sitewide savings events at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. And the discounts have continued to flood in since, which is a good thing because people are shopping and spending more this year than ever. The National Retail Federation predicted that spending in November and December will reach record levels, growing 3 to 4 percent over last year, so shopping deals can help you get more for your money.
A holiday shopping trend report from Adobe predicts that the discounts being offered this year will reach record highs. And even though there are plenty of great sales now, the best prices will still come around Cyber Week. Black Friday is still the best time to get a new TV at a discount. Saturday is expected to bring the deepest discounts on laptops; toys and apparel will be at their best prices on Sunday; and Cyber Monday will be the ideal time to get electronics and appliances.
Tips for TV Shoppers
Televisions deserve some special attention because so many people shop for deals on TVs at this time of year. Here are three Black Friday shopping tips if you’re looking to upgrade your set this year.
8. Wait until Black Friday to buy. This year, as in years past, we’re expecting to see the biggest discounts on televisions on Black Friday. The Adobe trend report is predicting discounts as high as 22 percent on average, which is up from 17 percent last year. So it’s shaping up to be a great year to upgrade your TV.
9. Consider a “derivative” TV model. Starting this month, you’ll begin to see low-priced TVs made specifically for Black Friday. Some are available only through a single retailer. These sets are called “derivatives,” because they’re derived from mainstream models—they just have different model numbers and maybe scaled-back features, such as fewer HDMI inputs or a simpler remote control.
We don’t test all the derivative models, but we do bring a number of them into the lab. We often find some derivative TVs from major brands that perform equally well in CR’s tests, despite being priced $100 to $150 lower.
Not every TV introduced at this time of year is a true derivative, though. So it can be hard to judge the quality of newly introduced sets, and it’s difficult to compare prices, too. Consumer Reports will report on heavily promoted sets as they come on the market, and help you pick out the better deals.
10. Beware the cheapest set. Super-low-priced doorbuster specials draw people in with visions of savings, but the sets—often from lesser-known brands—are not always worth the price.
“It is always worth reminding people that Black Friday products are often older technology or specifically engineered to sell at a special Black Friday price and may not be exactly what a consumer would choose,” Stephen Baker, vice president for industry analysis at the market research firm NPD Group, told us.
Keep in mind that you’ll be watching your new TV for a number of years. If you’re not happy with the features or picture quality, you may regret not spending the extra $50 to $100 to get something better.
Those loss-leader TVs are usually at their rock-bottom price, too. A retailer may have more wiggle room on a step-up or flagship model, and you shouldn’t hesitate to ask for a better price—regardless of the time of year.