Black Friday: are the deals really worth it?

Here’s the honest answer - it really depends. Some Black Friday discounts are genuinely great value. Others look exciting but don’t save you much money once you do a bit of research. 

Here’s what you need to know to shop smart this Black Friday, whether that’s buying, waiting, or skipping it altogether. 

Black Friday started in the US as a single day of discounts the day after Thanksgiving. But it has made its way across the Atlantic and has become popular in the UK too.

These days, it's not just one day of discounts. You'll often see "early Black Friday deals" popping up well before the day itself, while other retailers save their biggest discounts for the day itself or carry them into the following week.  

Black Friday is on the last Friday in November each year. But plenty of retailers kick off their sales weeks or days early, and lots of them keep the discounts rolling through to Cyber Monday (the Monday after Black Friday) and sometimes beyond.  

This is why it can feel a bit confusing trying to work out when the real deals are happening.

Some Black Friday deals are great value but not always. 

A huge 70% off discount doesn’t necessarily mean you're getting a great price, or that you even need the thing in the first place.

When you’re shopping, it’s always worth knowing the signs of Black Friday scams and fake websites.

Before you buy, it's worth asking yourself:

1. Do I really need this?

2. Was I already planning to buy it before I spotted the discount?

3. Would I still want this if there wasn’t a discount?

4. Is this really a saving or has the price just been inflated beforehand to make the discount look bigger?

5. Have I compared the price elsewhere or am I only looking at one shop?

6. Can I comfortably afford it without borrowing or dipping into money saved for something else?

7. Am I buying this because I need it or because the countdown timer is making me panic a bit?

This can save you from buying something you might regret later.

For more help, take a look at our blog about impulse spending.

Not every "was £100, now £50" discount is legit. Here's how to get to check if a discount is genuine:

1. Check the price history. Price-tracking tools and browser extensions on websites can show you what something cost in the weeks before the sale, which can be eye-opening.

2. Compare prices across a few retailers rather than assuming the first deal you spot is the best one going.

3. Look past the big percentage number. A 70% discount on something that was overpriced to begin with might still cost more than a smaller discount elsewhere.

4. Factor in delivery costs because a cheap item with pricey postage might not be such a bargain after all.

5. Think about warranties and returns since these can add up the total cost.

Unfortunately, there's no clear answer. Black Friday is known to be big for tech, electricals and homeware. While Boxing Day sales often focus on clearing stock like clothing, furniture and anything left over from the festive season.  

If you're not in a rush, it can be worth comparing both periods rather than assuming one is automatically the cheaper option.

Prices do sometimes drop further down during post-Christmas clearance and January sales. But there's never a guarantee.  

Here are a few things worth weighing up before deciding whether to buy now or wait:

1. Is the price likely to drop again later in the season?

2. Could the item sell out or become unavailable if you wait?

3. Do you need it before Christmas?

4. Is this a one-off deal that might not come back once it's gone?

If you're not in a hurry, it might be worth waiting to see what happens.

Thinking about Christmas? Read our blog on 10 essentials to add to your Christmas budget now and find out how to save money for the festive season.

Black Friday is built to create urgency by using countdown clocks, "only 2 left in stock" messages, flashing banners. To avoid getting swept along with it and spend more than you planned, you can:

• set yourself a spending limit before you start browsing and try to stick to it

• make a list of what want to buy first rather than deciding on the spot

• prioritise things you need over things that just happen to be on sale 

• be honest about whether you’d buy it anyway. If the answer’s no, the discount probably isn't a good enough reason on its own

• focus on affordability, not the size of the saving. A huge percentage off doesn't make something affordable if it was never in your budget to begin with.

And remember, spending £50 on something you don’t need isn't a saving, even if it was reduced from £100. If you weren't going to buy it anyway, you haven’t saved £50, you've spent £50.

Taking the time to manage your money better can really pay off, find out how you can do this in our beginner's guide.