3 Major Black Friday Pitfalls to Avoid

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If you’re getting increasingly psyched for Black Friday by the day, you’re not alone. At this point, the big event is only a couple of weeks away. So you may be finalizing your shopping list now in the hopes of taking advantage.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. A good 36% of Americans plan to shop this Black Friday, according to YouGov. And chances are, you’ll find a host of specials running that day both online and in stores.But shopping on Black Friday may not be the great idea you think it is. Here are a few traps you risk running into.1. Thinking you’ll get a great price no matter what you buyThere’s something about Black Friday that tends to trick our brains into thinking we’re getting a good deal no matter what. In reality, many retailers release a limited number of heavily discounted products on Black Friday, and then only mildly mark down additional inventory in the hopes of luring consumers into adding those items to their shopping carts.It’s one thing to snag a doorbuster kitchen gadget on Black Friday for $50 that you’ve seen listed for $100 many times over. But here’s the problem: If you get to the store and that product is sold out, you may be inclined to buy a similar gadget for $60.But if that gadget’s regular price is $65, you’re not getting much of a bargain there. And that second item may not have the same features as the one you originally wanted.If you’re going to shop on Black Friday, research prices before and during the big event. Don’t just assume that every markdown is a significant one. Also, if you go in hoping to buy a specific item, tell yourself that if it’s not available, you’ll just walk away empty-handed.2. Assuming you need to wait for Black Friday to snag an awesome dealA lot of people put off their holiday shopping until Black Friday because they assume that’s when the best deals will become available. In reality, you might get a much better deal in the weeks leading up to Black Friday. In fact, many retailers, from Target to Kohl’s to Costco, already have Black Friday specials running now.Black Friday is no longer a single-day event; it’s more like an almost month-long event. There’s no reason not to start looking around starting today.3. Financing a Black Friday purchase with a “buy now, pay later” planYou may not have enough money in your savings account to cover your Black Friday purchases in full. But be careful if you’re thinking of turning to a “buy now, pay later” plan.These plans might seem appealing at first because they don’t charge interest right away like a credit card might. But they also only give you a short time window to pay off your purchases — usually 12 weeks or fewer. And your credit score might take a serious dive if you find yourself unable to stick to one of these limited-time repayment plans. Plus, you can expect to be hit with fees if you’re late with your payments.It’s always best to pay for holiday purchases outright. But a personal loan could be a better way to finance holiday purchases if you feel you can’t just skip out this year. With a personal loan, you pay off your purchases over a longer period than with a “buy now, pay later” plan. This makes you less likely to fall behind. Click here for a list of the best personal loan lenders.Another option is to put your purchases on a 0% APR credit card. But here, you run the risk of racking up a huge amount of interest if you don’t shed your balance by the time your introductory period of 0% interest comes to an end. So all told, a personal loan may be your best option if you have to finance the purchases you’re making.There’s nothing wrong with checking out deals on Black Friday and seeing what’s available. But make every effort to avoid these specific traps so that day doesn’t end up hurting you financially.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Maurie Backman has positions in Target. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale and Target. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”

If you’re getting increasingly psyched for Black Friday by the day, you’re not alone. At this point, the big event is only a couple of weeks away. So you may be finalizing your shopping list now in the hopes of taking advantage.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

A good 36% of Americans plan to shop this Black Friday, according to YouGov. And chances are, you’ll find a host of specials running that day both online and in stores.

But shopping on Black Friday may not be the great idea you think it is. Here are a few traps you risk running into.

1. Thinking you’ll get a great price no matter what you buy

There’s something about Black Friday that tends to trick our brains into thinking we’re getting a good deal no matter what. In reality, many retailers release a limited number of heavily discounted products on Black Friday, and then only mildly mark down additional inventory in the hopes of luring consumers into adding those items to their shopping carts.

It’s one thing to snag a doorbuster kitchen gadget on Black Friday for $50 that you’ve seen listed for $100 many times over. But here’s the problem: If you get to the store and that product is sold out, you may be inclined to buy a similar gadget for $60.

But if that gadget’s regular price is $65, you’re not getting much of a bargain there. And that second item may not have the same features as the one you originally wanted.

If you’re going to shop on Black Friday, research prices before and during the big event. Don’t just assume that every markdown is a significant one. Also, if you go in hoping to buy a specific item, tell yourself that if it’s not available, you’ll just walk away empty-handed.

2. Assuming you need to wait for Black Friday to snag an awesome deal

A lot of people put off their holiday shopping until Black Friday because they assume that’s when the best deals will become available. In reality, you might get a much better deal in the weeks leading up to Black Friday. In fact, many retailers, from Target to Kohl’s to Costco, already have Black Friday specials running now.

Black Friday is no longer a single-day event; it’s more like an almost month-long event. There’s no reason not to start looking around starting today.

3. Financing a Black Friday purchase with a “buy now, pay later” plan

You may not have enough money in your savings account to cover your Black Friday purchases in full. But be careful if you’re thinking of turning to a “buy now, pay later” plan.

These plans might seem appealing at first because they don’t charge interest right away like a credit card might. But they also only give you a short time window to pay off your purchases — usually 12 weeks or fewer. And your credit score might take a serious dive if you find yourself unable to stick to one of these limited-time repayment plans. Plus, you can expect to be hit with fees if you’re late with your payments.

It’s always best to pay for holiday purchases outright. But a personal loan could be a better way to finance holiday purchases if you feel you can’t just skip out this year. With a personal loan, you pay off your purchases over a longer period than with a “buy now, pay later” plan. This makes you less likely to fall behind. Click here for a list of the best personal loan lenders.

Another option is to put your purchases on a 0% APR credit card. But here, you run the risk of racking up a huge amount of interest if you don’t shed your balance by the time your introductory period of 0% interest comes to an end. So all told, a personal loan may be your best option if you have to finance the purchases you’re making.

There’s nothing wrong with checking out deals on Black Friday and seeing what’s available. But make every effort to avoid these specific traps so that day doesn’t end up hurting you financially.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Maurie Backman has positions in Target. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale and Target. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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