Black Friday and Cyber Monday are two of the most exciting days of the year when it comes to shoppers looking for some major holiday shopping savings.
While Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) has historically centered around in-person sales at clothing retailers and technology stores, Cyber Monday (the Monday following Thanksgiving) has been the day when online shopping platforms offer major savings on top items, all easily shipped straight to you.
However, in recent years, many of the deals start earlier and begin online, even on Black Friday.
"Black Friday is still king for big-ticket items like electronics, TVs, gaming consoles, and appliances," Michael Ryan, a finance expert and the founder of michaelryanmoney.com, told Newsweek. "Retailers tend to go all out on these items. While many of these deals are in-store, Black Friday is no longer just about crowds. Most retailers have made the shift to online as well."
For those who prefer online shopping, however, Cyber Monday reigns supreme.
"Shopping in your PJs beats dealing with Black Friday crowds," Ryan said. "If you're all about online shopping, Cyber Monday is your day to shine."
To get the best deals, you should start tracking prices early, using comparison tools available online, and don't wait until Cyber Monday to look for the most important items on your list.
Ryan said paying attention to return policies will also be vital.
"With the pressure of time-sensitive sales, it's easy to forget that some retailers might have shorter return windows or hefty restocking fees," Ryan said. "Research shows that a lot of the 'deals' are inflated to begin with. So, shop smart. Compare prices. Stick to your budget. And don't fall for the marketing hype."
Some stores will mark up prices before Black Friday and then artificially bring them down to a lower discount, Ryan said, adding this is especially common for furniture and clothing.
Does Amazon Have Better Deals on Black Friday or Cyber Monday?
Amazon is offering significant savings on both Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
While Black Friday deals are available from November 21 to November 29, Cyber Monday deals start on December 2.
But depending on what sort of products you're looking for this holiday season, one of the days could prove more fruitful for savings.
"While Black Friday brings the rush for big-ticket electronics, Cyber Monday focuses on everything," Ryan said. "It's also a sweet spot for fashion, gadgets, smart home devices, and smaller electronics like headphones or tablets. Plus, you get to price compare, so you know you're getting the best deal."
So, generally, Black Friday will be best for those on the search for TVs and gaming consoles, while Cyber Monday will bring best bets for gadgets and accessories while having a slight online shopping edge.
According to Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, the best deals may actually not come on either day.
"Increasingly, we've seen retailers slash prices starting a week before Black Friday to get a jump on the discounts other retailers are going to offer," Beene told Newsweek. "Similarly, some of the best deals can come after Cyber Monday when retailers are looking to unload inventory that didn't see robust sales during the holiday weekend. That's not to say to avoid these days altogether, but simply continue to check in before and after for pricing drops."
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