5 Black Friday Myths That Could Cost You Money
Think every Black Friday deal is a bargain? From early sales to price matching, these common misconceptions could leave you spending more than necessary.
Most people assume the term "Black Friday" refers to retailers moving out of the red and into the black — that is, turning a profit for the year as shoppers flock to stores to do their holiday shopping on the day after Thanksgiving.
But, according to several accounts, the expression actually originated in the 1960s when Philadelphia police officers used it to describe heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic the day after Thanksgiving. You just learned something new, right?
Well, that’s not the only misconception about Black Friday.
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Here are five myths you should be aware of — especially if you plan to be a part of the heavy traffic in the stores the day after Thanksgiving:
MYTH 1: Black Friday starts on Friday
Black Friday may officially fall on the day after Thanksgiving, but the deals start much earlier. Many major retailers now roll out holiday discounts weeks in advance. Amazon kicked off early holiday shopping with Prime Big Deal Days in October, while Target began offering daily holiday deals on November 1.
"Where Black Friday used to be the kickoff to the holiday shopping season, it’s now close to the finish line for many consumers who’ve started taking advantage of deals earlier in the season,” says smart shopping expert Trae Bodge of TrueTrae.com.
The takeaway? Don't assume you need to wait until Black Friday to find a bargain. Shopping early could mean better selection and competitive prices, especially on popular holiday gifts.
MYTH 2: Everything is on sale
Just because retailers have big sales doesn’t mean everything in their stores or on their sites is on sale. Yes, you’ll find everything from computers, tablets, cookware, video game consoles and televisions marked down.
But that purse your wife wants, golf club set your husband wants or video game your son wants might not even be discounted.
For this reason, before shopping, check retailers’ Black Friday ads at sites such as DealNews.com to see what items will be on sale.
MYTH 3: The deals are the best of the year
Don’t be fooled into thinking that all of the items that are on sale on or around Black Friday are at their lowest prices of the year. Many of the discounted Black Friday prices are also available during other sales throughout the year.
And often, Black Friday retailers will try to trick you by inflating discounts on items, even though these items occasionally sell below MSRP throughout the year, suggests Courtney Jespersen, NerdWallet.com's consumer savings expert.
MYTH 4: Doorbuster deals are available only in stores
Black Friday has long been associated with doorbusters — deeply discounted items available in limited quantities or for a short time to attract shoppers to stores.
But you no longer have to stand in line to score these deals. Many major retailers now offer doorbuster discounts online, along with exclusive online-only promotions. Some deals even start before Black Friday, giving shoppers more opportunities to save from home.
Before heading to the store, check retailers' websites to see whether the same discounts are available online. You could save yourself a trip, avoid the crowds and still get a great deal.
MYTH 5: It will be easy to take advantage of price-match policies
Finding a lower price at another retailer doesn't necessarily mean your favorite store will match it. Many major retailers have restrictions on price matching, particularly during Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.
For example, Walmart and Costco don't match competitors' prices. However, some retailers offer price adjustments if their own prices drop after you make a purchase. Target's 2026 holiday price-match guarantee, for example, allows shoppers who purchase eligible items between November 1 and December 24 to request an adjustment if Target lowers its price during that period.
Before shopping, check each retailer's price-match and price-adjustment policies, including any holiday exclusions. Keeping your receipts and monitoring prices after your purchase could help you save even more.
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