This isn’t an article about how to avoid scammers on Black Friday. It’s about how the whole event is a big, fat scam. In reality, it’s an over-hyped, panic-inducing marketing blitz that the public shouldn’t fall for. Can you get deals on Black Friday? Absolutely. Can you get the same deals — or better — other days of the year? Yes, you can. According to money managers, Black Friday may be known for offering the lowest prices of the year, but in reality it’s one of the worst times to shop. It’s understandable that getting $30 off an $85 air fryer is enticing, but it isn’t worth your time. While luring you into their product lair with sale items, retailers only have a limited quantity of that item and they know it. When they run out, you’re still in the store, so they’re hoping that you’ll pull out your wallet and buy a gaggle of other things that aren’t deeply discounted at all. If you do manage to get a sale item, chances are the product is of a lower quality. Retailers commonly partner with manufacturers to create lower-quality versions of popular products for the sole purpose of selling them on Black Friday. Take, for example, the Best Buy “exclusive” Samsung 60” Ultra HD 4K TV that’s only available there. That’s a giant red flag for a derivative product that’s likely made with substandard parts. Let’s add something else to the equation: Black Friday is actually about 3 weeks long. Those products you think are only there for Black Friday will be there long after the stores close on that day. Are there some legitimate Black Friday savings to be had? Yes, but the idea that we should all scramble to find the discounted products the day after Thanksgiving is absurd. There’s still ample opportunity to save money on gifts for the whole family, well after the last turkey leftovers are eaten.
