Walk into any big-box retailer on a Friday in late November and the vibe is unmistakable. It’s electric. It's also, if we’re being honest, a little bit desperate. We've all seen the videos of people sprinting toward a stack of discounted televisions like their lives depend on it. But here is the thing about Black Friday: the spectacle is often more impressive than the actual savings.
Most people think this day is the absolute floor for pricing. It isn't. Not always.
Retailers are smart. They’ve spent decades perfecting the psychology of the "doorbuster." They know that if they can get you through the physical or digital door with one legitimate loss-leader—a product sold at a loss to lure you in—you’ll probably hang around and buy three other things with much higher profit margins. It’s a calculated gamble, and the house usually wins.
The Reality of Manufactured Inventory
Ever wonder why that 60-inch 4K TV is suddenly $200 cheaper than anything else on the market? It might not be the same model you saw in June.
A common industry practice involves "derivative models." Manufacturers like Samsung, LG, or Vizio sometimes produce specific SKUs (Stock Keeping Units) exclusively for the holiday season. These units look identical to the premium versions on the outside, but the guts are different. They might have fewer HDMI ports, a lower-quality processor, or a cheaper panel. These aren't "bad" TVs, necessarily. But they aren't the high-end steals you think they are. They are products built to be sold at a specific, low price point.
You aren't getting a $1,000 TV for $400. You're getting a $400 TV that was designed to look like a $1,000 one.
The Pricing Rollercoaster
Let’s talk about CamelCamelCamel or Keepa. If you aren't using price trackers, you’re basically flying blind.
Retailers are notorious for "price anchoring." This is when a store raises the price of an item in October or early November. When Black Friday rolls around, they "slash" the price back down to its original MSRP or slightly below. The tag says "50% OFF," but compared to the price three months ago, you might only be saving 5%.
According to data from groups like Which? and various consumer advocacy platforms, a staggering percentage of holiday "deals" were actually available for the same price—or even cheaper—at other points during the year. May and August are often sleeper months for tech and home goods because nobody is looking.
Why We Fall For It Anyway
It’s chemical.
When you see a countdown timer or a "limited stock" banner, your brain flips from logical processing to "fight or flight." This is FOMO—Fear Of Missing Out—weaponized for commerce. You stop asking, "Do I need this?" and start asking, "Can I afford to let someone else get this?"
Scarcity is a powerful drug. It bypasses the prefrontal cortex. It makes us buy air fryers we’ll never use and smartwatches that will sit in a drawer. Honestly, it’s kinda impressive how well it works.
The Shift to "Black November"
The "Friday" part of the name is becoming a bit of a relic.
We’ve seen a massive shift toward "Black November." Major players like Amazon, Walmart, and Target now start their promotional cycles weeks before Thanksgiving. This is partly to ease the logistical nightmare of shipping millions of packages in a single week, and partly to capture "wallet share" before the competition does.
If you spend your holiday budget on November 10th, you can't spend it on November 28th.
- Early Bird Deals: Often focus on old stock clearing.
- The Big Day: Reserved for those "derivative" electronics and high-volume doorbusters.
- Cyber Monday: Historically for tech, but now it’s just Black Friday Part II.
- Giving Tuesday: A pivot toward non-profits, which is a nice breather.
The lines have blurred so much that the actual day has lost some of its "event" status. Crowds at physical malls have thinned out in favor of couch-shopping. It's safer, but you miss out on the communal chaos, for better or worse.
Don't Forget the "Grey Market" and Scams
With the rise of online shopping comes the rise of the scammers.
During the Black Friday rush, look-alike websites explode. They use URLs that are one letter off from a major brand. They offer prices that aren't just good—they’re impossible. If you see a pair of high-end noise-canceling headphones for $40, you aren't getting a deal. You’re getting your identity stolen or a box of rocks in the mail.
Always check the URL. Look for the padlock. If the site looks like it was designed in 2005, get out of there.
Is Anything Actually a Good Deal?
Yes. Some things are genuinely cheaper.
Major appliances (fridges, washers, dryers) often hit their lowest prices during this window. This is because manufacturers are clearing out this year's models to make room for next year’s inventory which usually ships in January.
Video games and subscription services are another win. Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo almost always drop the price of their "Greatest Hits" or annual passes. These are digital goods. There’s no "cheaper version" of a digital download. If the price is lower, it's a real save.
Practical Strategy for the Sane Shopper
Stop looking at the percentage off. It’s a fake number. Focus on the final price.
👉 See also: Current Gold Rate Jaipur: Why Prices Are Moving So Weirdly Right Now
Before you click buy, do a quick search for the model number. If that model number only appears on one website, it’s probably a derivative model made specifically for the sale. If it’s sold everywhere, check the price history.
Also, have a list. If it wasn't on your list on November 1st, do you really need it on November 28th? Probably not. You're just reacting to the marketing.
How to Win at Black Friday
The only way to truly "win" is to be intentional. Retailers want you to be impulsive.
- Set a hard budget. Use cash if you're going in person. It hurts more to hand over $100 bills than to tap a phone.
- Verify the SKU. Ensure the product specs match the "standard" version of the item.
- Check return policies. Some "Final Sale" items during the holidays cannot be returned, or they carry a heavy restocking fee.
- Ignore the "MSRP." The "Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price" is a suggestion that most stores ignore anyway. It exists to make the discount look bigger.
The frenzy of Black Friday is a manufactured phenomenon. It’s a part of our culture now, a sort of secular holiday dedicated to the exchange of currency for cardboard boxes. There are savings to be found, but they require a cynical eye and a lot of patience.
Stay skeptical. Use trackers. Don't buy the "exclusive" TV with two HDMI ports.
Next Steps for Savvy Buyers:
- Install a browser extension like Honey or CamelCamelCamel right now to start tracking price movements before the sales hit.
- Audit your subscriptions. Often, the best deals aren't on "stuff" but on renewing your streaming services or software at a 50% discount.
- Check your credit card rewards. Many cards offer extra "cash back" or "points" multipliers specifically for major retailers during the holiday window, which can be stacked on top of existing discounts.