Black Friday and Cyber Monday are without a doubt the greatest sales of the year in terms of total revenue, store participation, and customer engagement. However, it’s almost impossible to tell them apart these days. Cyber Monday used to focus on online sales, while Black Friday used to be more focused on in-person buying. However, those guidelines are no longer relevant. Both are dominated by online shopping, and November is a major promotional month since businesses give early bargains for weeks. The distinction between Black Friday and Cyber Monday has become so hazy that, according to the experts I consulted, it no longer exists.
How can you be certain that you are utilizing the top sales when there are hundreds to look through and weeks to shop? I created this Black Friday and Cyber Monday purchasing guide based on my five years of covering the sales in order to address all of your inquiries. In order to gather their opinions on what to buy, what to avoid, and whether to take advantage of early offers, I also spoke with specialists. This guide will be updated often in the run-up to Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Related
I ve covered Black Friday for 5 years these are the early deals you want to shop before they sell out
Would you want more from NBC Select?Shop more wisely by subscribing to our newsletter, The Selection.
When do Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales start?
Cyber Monday is December 2, 2024, and Black Friday is November 29, 2024. Sales aren’t limited to those two days, either. Amazon, Target, Walmart, Home Depot, and Best Buy are among the many businesses that have already started their early Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions.
When do Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales end?
Cyber Monday marks the end of the best bargains, according to Mackenzie Shand, a shopping guru at the cash-back and deal-finding website RetailMeNot. Although the reductions are usually less than those offered on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, shops continue to provide them because many individuals shop for holiday items through mid-December.
Retailers typically stop using Black Friday terminology on Saturdays between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday, and by Sunday, they are fully in the Cyber Monday mindset. The products on sale and their discounts, however, are essentially the same notwithstanding the label change.
Should you shop early Black Friday sales?
Shand agrees that you should take advantage of the early Black Friday bargains. Even if costs decrease a little between now and the formal event, the difference is usually insignificant because retailers usually give very comparable (or the exact same) discounts. If the price is within your means, it’s a good idea to check out early Black Friday pricing and finish your buying, according to Vipin Porwal, CEO and consumer savings specialist at Smarty, a cashback browser plugin.
Furthermore, remember that some stores begin their actual Black Friday bargains today and continue them through Cyber Monday, Shand advises. You can be sure that live offers are the best available once you see information on retailers’ websites regarding sales that finish in early December.
Another compelling argument for not delaying your purchases is that popular items may sell out. Deals on highly sought-after items should be seized as soon as they appear, particularly for tech and toys from well-known companies like Apple, Lego, and Nintendo.
According to Porwal, most merchants compete for your shopping cart by adding brand-new discounts to their promotions on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Therefore, if you currently shop, think about returning on Cyber Monday and Black Friday to see if there is a fresh deal that catches your attention.
What are the best products to buy on Black Friday and Cyber Monday?
Cyber Monday and Black Friday provide discounts on goods and services in every category. But according to Shand, the biggest deals are usually found on giftable items like toys, tech and gadgets, home goods, small kitchen appliances, and vacuums. Cyber Monday and Black Friday are particularly competitive times to buy tech. Porwal advises monitoring smart home devices, cellphones, computers, tablets, video games, TVs, and similar accessories. According to Porwal, there will also be good clothing sales, particularly in establishments that provide site-wide discounts.
Shand advises looking for discounts on subscription services and travel websites when buying on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Since streaming services won’t sell out like physical goods do, you can wait to sign up on Cyber Monday in case the bargain improves, she says. We’ve seen steep reductions on streaming services in prior years.
What should you skip buying on Black Friday and Cyber Monday?
There are no products that experts advise completely avoiding during the holidays because brands and retailers wait until Black Friday and Cyber Monday to offer their greatest bargains of the year. Shand advises that if you’re not in a hurry, you may wait until President’s Day to get a new mattress and large kitchen and household appliances because the sales are usually just as good, if not better, at that time. As spring draws near, clearance deals may also offer lower pricing on winter clothing and shoes.
Related
Want to shop small this holiday season? These are the best gifts from small businesses you should know about
Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday: What s the difference?
According to Shand, Cyber Monday and Black Friday are not that different right now. Cyber Monday used to be for online shopping, and Black Friday was for in-store shopping. E-commerce, however, now controls both events. Some people call the five days between Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday the “Cyber Five” because there isn’t much of a distinction between them. Additionally, experts came up with the term “Black November” because the entire month of November is dedicated to discounts, with early bargains beginning weeks before the major festivities.
Are there better deals on Cyber Monday?
No, experts advise considering Cyber Monday to be your last opportunity to shop because there are typically no greater offers available. According to Shand, we often witness a continuation of Black Friday sales rather than more substantial reductions.
Should you shop in-stores or online during Black Friday?
Both online and in-store Black Friday shopping have advantages and disadvantages. In the end, everything comes down to personal preference, but here are some things to think about:
Can you return Black Friday and Cyber Monday purchases?
You can return items you bought on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, unless the store specifies otherwise, says Porwal. Items you purchase on sale are typically covered by a retailer’s usual return policy, but always check the fine print in case there are any exclusions. Retailers clearly notify you if an item is a final sale and cannot be returned, according to Shand. Additionally, keep an eye out for extended return policies, which some merchants provide during the holidays, advises Porwal.
Are stores open for Black Friday shopping on Thanksgiving?
No, the majority of retailers do not allow in-store Black Friday shopping on Thanksgiving. To allow their staff to spend the holiday with their loved ones, major shops such as Target, Walmart, Home Depot, Best Buy, and Costco, for instance, close their doors. Shop online for Black Friday deals on Thanksgiving if you want to.
What is Travel Tuesday?
Sales on travel-related items, such as flights, hotels, and cruises, are the focus of Travel Tuesday. Sales on travel-related items, such as toiletry bags and suits, may also be available. Travel Tuesday falls on December 3, 2024, the day following Cyber Monday.
Related
Amazon s early Black Friday sales have started shop the 41+ best deals
Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping tips
When it comes to Cyber Monday and Black Friday shopping, preparation is essential. By doing this, you can stay focused on your goals and make sure you’re getting the finest bargains. Here are some professional pointers to help you succeed at the events.
Don t wait to buy what s on your wishlist
Online and in-store shopping traffic surges on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Once you find a great offer, put it in your cart and check out because products tend to sell out rapidly. Since you don’t know if it will be refilled, failing to do so could result in you missing the deal.
Sign up to receive notifications about sales and deals
Retailers constantly drop deals up to and during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Signing up for email lists, app push alerts and SMS messages helps you stay updated about what s new, says Porwal. This is also how you ll get the best shot at purchasing a popular product retailers are likely to let shoppers know when it goes on sale so you can buy it immediately.
Make a shopping list
Big savings events are geared toward impulse shopping retailers bet on shoppers feeling tempted by deals and adding more items to their carts than originally planned. That s why it s important to make a shopping list: it keeps you organized and helps you focus on products you need or budgeted for, says Shand. Some people prefer a classic pen-and-paper list, but it s easier to bookmark links or add items you re interested in to your shopping cart.
Consider shopping with a credit card
Using acredit cardto shop during Black Friday and Cyber Monday may allow you to earn points or take advantage of exclusive rewards. Certain cards let you earncash backat specific retailers, and some also offerwelcome bonusesor points.
Compare prices and rewards across retailers sites
Retailers compete for your shopping cart during Black Friday and Cyber Monday by price chasing each other this means an item sold at multiple retailers will likely have the exact (or almost exact) price tag across the board. In these cases, deciding which retailer to buy from comes down to the details, like shipping price, stackable promo codes, extended warranty offers and where you can use or gain the maximum rewards points, says Porwal. Also weigh different retailerscashbackoffers, which lets you earn money while you shop, says Shand.
To make comparing prices easy, I recommend using tools like Keepa, CamelCamelCamel and Honey. They help you monitor prices before and during the sale and send you price-drop alerts on specific products. You can also plug items into these tools to see if their prices were lower during another point of the year if they were, you may want to wait to buy them.
Keep extended returns and price matching in mind
If you re purchasing an item that requires a size, like clothing, shoes or bedding, read through the retailer s return policy before you checkout. You don t want to get stuck with something that s not right for you, so it s important to know how long the return window is and if the retailer has any exceptions to its policy.
Also, don t forget about price matching. Some retailers will match the price of a product to that of their competitors if you find an item for less at another store within a specific timeframe. But price matching programs may exclude Black Friday and Cyber Monday purchases, so read the fine print.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we collaborate with professionals that possess specific expertise and power derived from pertinent education and/or job experience. We also take precautions to guarantee that all professional counsel and suggestions are given impartially and without any hidden financial conflicts of interest.
-
Mackenzie Shand
is a shopping expert atRetailMeNot
, a deal-finding and cash back site.
-
Vipin Porwal
is the CEO and a consumer savings expert atSmarty
, a cashback browser extension.
Why trust NBC Select?
I m areporter at NBC Selectwho has reported about Black Friday and Cyber Monday since 2020. I wrote NBC Select s history of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and frequently cover major shopping holidays. For this piece, I interviewed two experts, as well as researched shopping trends and consumer spending data.
Catch up on NBC Select s in-depth coverage ofpersonal finance,tech and tools,wellnessand more, and follow us onFacebook,Instagram,TwitterandTikTokto stay up to date.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!