Black Friday prep: the five-step list to make before the sales start

In the United States, Black Friday falls on the day after Thanksgiving, which in 2026 is November 27. Sales often start earlier and run for days or weeks, and many retailers promote “early” deals in October and November. That gives you time to prepare, which is the single most useful advantage a shopper can have.

Step 1: Write a short wishlist

List the things you actually need or have been planning to buy, not what looks tempting in an email. Keep it short: five to ten items is plenty. For each, note the exact model or variant and why you want it. Anything that is not on the list at the start must clear a higher bar later.

Step 2: Find the normal price

For each item, find what it usually costs and what the lowest recorded price has been, using a price-history tracker or a few weeks of manual checks. This gives you a target price: the number at which the item is genuinely a good deal. Our guide to price tracking shows how.

Write your own targets before the sale; do not set them while looking at a countdown.

Step 3: Set a firm budget

Decide how much you will spend in total and per item. Move that amount into a separate pot, or note it in your phone, and treat it as a ceiling. If you use credit, consider how you will pay it off.

Step 4: Check return and price-adjustment policies

Sale purchases often have different return rules. Before you buy, check:

• The return window, and whether sale items are included
• Who pays for return shipping
• Restocking fees on electronics and large items
• Whether the retailer offers a price adjustment if the price drops after you buy
• Extended holiday return windows, if offered

If the policy is unclear, that is a reason to look elsewhere.

Step 5: Build an exit plan for impulse buys

Impulse is what sale events are designed to trigger. Make it harder on yourself in advance:

• Unsubscribe from retailer emails you do not need, or filter them to a folder.
• Remove saved payment details from sites you do not trust.
• Use a 24-hour rule for anything not on your list: put it in the basket, then decide tomorrow.
• Ask whether you would buy it at this price if there were no sale.

During the sale

• Compare sellers, including delivery and taxes.
• Beware of variant swaps. Sale-only models can have fewer features than the regular one.
• Check seller reputation on marketplaces and watch for look-alike sites.
• Pay safely: use a card or payment method with buyer protection, and avoid unusual payment requests.
• Keep receipts and order numbers in one folder for returns and price adjustments.

After the sale

If your item drops further in price during the return window, check whether you can claim a price adjustment or return and rebuy. Review your statements for unexpected subscriptions or duplicate charges.

Which categories are worth waiting for?

Sale events do not discount everything equally. As a rule of thumb based on how retailers typically promote these periods, the categories most often marked down include consumer electronics, small appliances, toys, and some clothing and outdoor gear. Items that rarely see large markdowns include new product launches, many premium brands and anything in short supply.

That means a sensible plan splits your list into two groups: items that are likely to be discounted, which can wait until you see your target price, and items that rarely are, which you should buy when you need them. Your price history will confirm which group each item falls into.

If you are shopping outside the United States

Black Friday has spread to many countries, but timing, return rules and consumer protections vary. Check local rules on cooling-off periods and returns for online purchases, and confirm that the price includes taxes and duties. Marketplace sellers may follow different rules to the main retailer.

Questions readers ask