Black Friday 2026 falls on November 27 and Cyber Monday on November 30, and many stores start their deals a week or more earlier. Not every red price tag is a real bargain. With five checks and a little percentage math you can tell in two minutes whether a deal is worth it.
Start with the right comparison price
The “was” price on a deal is only meaningful if the product actually sold at that price. The FTC's guides against deceptive pricing say a former price must be one the item was really offered at for a reasonable period, not a made-up number. In practice, compare against what the product cost in the last few weeks, not against the list price or MSRP.
Check any deal in 5 steps
- Work out the real discount from the old and new price instead of trusting the advertised percentage. The discount calculator does this in “Discount in %” mode.
- Look at the price history. Price trackers show what an item cost over the last months. If it was cheaper in October, the “deal” is not one.
- Add shipping and sales tax. 10 % off a $30 item saves $3; a $5.99 shipping fee wipes that out.
- Compare unit prices for groceries, household items and pet food. Bigger packs on sale are not always cheaper per ounce.
- Ask whether you need it. 50 % off something you were not going to buy is still 50 % spent.
Worked examples
| Deal | Math | Real saving |
|---|---|---|
| Headphones: MSRP $249, now $179, recent price $199 | (199 − 179) ÷ 199 | 10 %, not the advertised 28 % |
| “20 % off everything + extra 10 % at checkout” on $120 | 120 × 0.8 × 0.9 | $86.40, so 28 %, not 30 % |
| “$20 off $100” with a $140 cart | 20 ÷ 140 | 14.3 % |
| TV $499 instead of $549, plus $39 delivery | (549 − 499 − 39) ÷ 549 | only 2 % if it usually ships free |
Returns and price protection
- Check the return window before you buy. Many large retailers extend returns for holiday purchases into January, but the rules vary by store.
- Price matching: some stores refund the difference if the price drops within a set period. Keep your receipt and order number.
- Pay with a credit card for big purchases: card protections and chargebacks can help if an order never arrives.
Frequently asked questions
When is Black Friday 2026?
Friday, November 27, 2026, the day after Thanksgiving. Cyber Monday is November 30.
How do I calculate the real discount?
(Old price − new price) ÷ old price × 100, using the price the item actually sold for recently, not the MSRP.
Are two discounts in a row the same as their sum?
No. 20 % then 10 % makes 28 %, because the second discount comes off the already reduced price.
Is Black Friday really cheaper?
Often for electronics, toys and clothing if you check the price history. For groceries and everyday items, the savings are usually small.