8 Things to Skip Buying on Black Friday

Black Friday has turned into a big event in many places, with stores opening early on Thanksgiving to welcome eager shoppers excited for big discounts. While some deals are truly great, others are cleverly designed to grab your attention and encourage you to spend more. So, how can you tell the good deals from the bad ones?

Before diving into your Black Friday shopping, here’s a list of eight things you might want to skip buying.

1. TRAVEL AND FLIGHTS
Buying flight tickets or holiday packages during the festive season can get pricey. Booking these on Black Friday isn’t the best idea either. Although booking spring trips in advance sounds sensible, Black Friday isn’t ideal because ticket prices usually rise after September for holiday travel and don’t drop until January. It’s better to wait until after the holiday rush has passed.

2. FURNITURE
Thinking about buying new furniture like a couch or dining table on Black Friday? You might want to rethink that. The best deals on furniture usually come in July and August when stores clear out last season’s items. By November, most of the worthwhile deals are gone. Outdoor furniture follows the same pattern, so focusing on other home goods might be smarter.

3. WINTER CLOTHES
Black Friday offers many clothing sales, but it’s not the best time for winter gear like coats and sweaters. As winter approaches, stores won’t slash prices yet. Wait until after January or March to find the best prices on winter clothing.

4. HOLIDAY DECOR
Even if holiday decorations aren’t at the top of your Black Friday list, stores will try to tempt you with deals. However, it’s not the best time to buy since Christmas is still ahead. Decorations are usually cheaper after the festive season. If you want to save, wait and buy them at the start of the next year.

5. FLOWERS AND CHOCOLATES
Although brands like Godiva and 1-800-Flowers offer some deals on Black Friday, good deals on flowers and chocolates are hard to come by. They also won’t last through the holiday season. Wait to buy them until closer to Christmas for better deals.

6. HIGH-END TVS
While Black Friday is known for electronics deals, it’s mainly for lower-end brands and older TV models. If you’re after a high-end smart TV, especially LED or OLED models, it’s better to wait for the new year or spring sales for the best prices.

7. FITNESS EQUIPMENT
You might see some discounts on fitness gear in November, but discounts over 15% are rare. December usually offers a greater selection of quality equipment at better prices than those during Black Friday. Postpone buying fitness items until December or January when people focus on fitness resolutions.

8. GIFT CARDS
Gift cards might be on your shopping list, but it’s worth waiting to buy them. Since retailers already offer big discounts, they’re less likely to offer gift card deals on Black Friday. Savings on gift cards are usually better in December, as last-minute holiday shopping ramps up.

HOW TO SAVE MORE BY WAITING
Black Friday is packed with opportunities for deals at great prices, but not everything is at its lowest price in November. Every item has a sale cycle throughout the year. Retailers may also place items in tempting spots to make you buy or offer small discounts on numerous things. Watch out for these tricks; when you’re in a shopping mode, it’s easy to buy things you don’t need. Plan ahead and stick to what you really need to save a lot on your holiday shopping.

Are there other items you usually avoid during Black Friday?