5 Myths About Black Friday, Busted
Here’s what you really need to know about this big shopping day the Friday after Thanksgiving.

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.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
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
Many major retailers start rolling out discounts and deals well ahead of Black Friday. For example, Amazon launched Amazon Prime Deal Days, the retailers pre-Black Friday sale, weeks before Thanksgiving. So don’t assume that you should wait until the last minute to score a bargain.
"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.
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. We've listed both Walmart Black Friday deals and Costco Black Friday deals for you to easily shop as well.
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 (and now Thanksgiving) is synonymous with doorbusters — deeply discounted items that are in limited supply and available only at certain times, used as a means to lure shoppers out to the stores.
However, many retailers are beginning to prioritize online shopping, especially after shopping habits during the pandemic. In fact, many retailers offer online-only deals, and Amazon.com often matches the best offers at brick-and-mortar stores. So before you head out the door, check to see if the deals you want are available online.
MYTH 5: It will be easy to take advantage of price-match policies
Maybe your plan is to head to one store on Black Friday, use an app to scan product barcodes, see if another retailer is offering those items at lower prices, then take advantage of the price-match policy of the store you’re in to get those items there for even lower prices. It’s brilliant, right?
Not so fast. Several major retailers, including Walmart and Costco will not match competitors’ prices on items for sale on Black Friday and through the following Monday. Call retailers or look up their price-match policies on their websites before you shop.
Related Content
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

Award-winning journalist, speaker, family finance expert, and author of Mom and Dad, We Need to Talk.
Cameron Huddleston wrote the daily "Kip Tips" column for Kiplinger.com. She joined Kiplinger in 2001 after graduating from American University with an MA in economic journalism.
- Erin BendigPersonal Finance Writer
- Carla AyersE-Commerce & Personal Finance Editor
-
Ten Cheapest Places to Live in Texas
Property Tax Looking for a cheap place to live in Texas? Look no further. These counties have the lowest property tax bills in the Lone Star State.
-
AI Is Missing the Wisdom of Older Adults: What It Means for You
AI will increasingly affect your healthcare and finances, but young workers are primarily designing the systems and getting most of the jobs.
-
Mint Mobile Is Offering $440 Off Samsung and Google Phones Plus Half Off Unlimited Plans for Two Years
Ready to upgrade your phone? If you switch to Mint Mobile, you can get $440 off that upgrade and lock in two years of ultra low prices on your phone plan.
-
CVS Is Closing More Stores in 2025: What It Means for You
As CVS Health continues its restructuring plan, additional store closures raise questions about access to pharmacy services and the future of retail healthcare.
-
Walmart Raising Prices Soon — Here’s Which Products Will Cost You More This Summer
If you heard about Walmart raising prices, here are the key details you need to know ahead of your next shopping trip.
-
How to Save $50 on a Sam’s Club Membership
This Sam’s Club membership deal from Stack Social saves you up to $50 and gets you a full year of access to the warehouse club.
-
Ford Sticker Shock: Tariffs Trigger Price Hikes on Popular Models
Why Ford is raising prices on three of its popular models and what it means for car buyers.
-
Sugar Rush: Kentucky Boy Orders $4,000 in Lollipops from Mom's Phone
A Kentucky mom was surprised to find her son ordered 70,000 lollipops from Amazon. Here's how to ensure a similar oopsie doesn't happen to you.
-
14 Mother’s Day Gifts That Are a Boost to Her Bank Account
These Mother’s Day gifts show your appreciation and save her money at the same time.
-
Walmart Scan & Go: Does It Really Save Time?
Is Walmart’s Scan & Go really faster? Learn how this Walmart+ feature works, its pros and cons, and whether it actually saves you time and hassle at checkout.