6 things to avoid buying on Black Friday and Cyber Monday

TORONTO – Marking the start of the holiday shopping season, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are some of retailers’ busiest days of the year. A report from Accenture found that 61 per cent of Canadian respondents said they are planning to shop on Black Friday this year, and another 24 per cent said they are somewhat likely to do so.

Despite big sale discounts and all-time low prices on many products, not everything is a deal during this shopping weekend. Here are a few things you should avoid buying on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Items that are not on your list

No matter how deep the discount is, don’t get distracted by things you don’t want or need. Stick to items on your list or else you will end up spending more money than you hoped to, something you might regret when your credit card bills come in the mail.

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Things that are not on sale

Adrienne Down Coulson, general manager of Ebates.ca, said while you can find great deals in every category on Black Friday, some brand name items are unlikely to go on sale anywhere (i.e. Classic UGG boots or Canada Goose jackets).

READ MORE: Is Black Friday worth the mayhem?

Travel

Although you can definitely find some deals, travel discounts are often not the deepest this time of year, so spend your time hunting for other things on Black Friday. If you do find a deal you’re happy with, go for it as availability might be limited.

Small token items

Before you stock up on small items, wait, they might be included in a bigger purchase you make. Many Black Friday deals include a gift with purchase that can be used as stocking stuffers and small gifts so keep an eye out for those “2-for-1” items.

Patio furniture

Given the season, Coulson said it’s not the best time for deep discounts on outdoor furniture. Discounts on these items are likely to occur in the warmer months and often have the best clearance sales in August and September.

Second-hand items

Do your research ahead of time and there’s a good chance whatever you’re looking for can be bought new and on sale on Black Friday.