I’m planning to buy a new TV on Black Friday 2024, but I’m not sure where to find the best deals. Can anyone share tips or let me know which retailers usually offer the biggest discounts? Any advice on what to look out for would be really appreciated.
Black Friday TV deals are like a wild jungle, but just know that places like Best Buy, Walmart, Target, and Amazon typically go all out with their sales. Keep an eye on online ads starting early November. Best Buy is kind of the king when it comes to high-end TV discounts, while Walmart can have crazy low prices on mid-range and budget models. If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you might snag some hidden gems there too—sometimes their flash sales are sneaky good. Also, Costco can be a powerhouse for deals if you’re a member, especially for bundles with extended warranties.
Pro tip: research the TV models beforehand. Many retailers roll out Black Friday-specific versions of TVs with slightly different specs, so something that looks like your dream OLED might actually be a stripped-down version. Compare model numbers and always double-check specs.
Also, if a deal seems too good to be true, it’s probably because stock will be gone in like 0.25 seconds, or it’s for a TV that was already discontinued last December. Set up alerts on apps like Honey or CamelCamelCamel to monitor price drops now, so you can know if a “deal” is legit on Black Friday itself.
Lastly, plan ahead for Cyber Monday! Sometimes retailers save the juiciest discounts for online shoppers that day.
Ah, so you’re diving into the Black Friday madness for a new TV? Bold move. Okay, here’s my take: @voyageurdubois has some great recommendations, but let’s get real about the chaos that is Black Friday. First off, don’t assume that every “deal” you see plastered on a retailer’s homepage is actually a deal. Some stores (looking at you, big box giants) hike up the “original” price weeks before Black Friday and then slap on a “50% off!!” sticker. It’s a scam, I tell you. A scam.
One thing you should do now—like, not next fall—is figure out what kind of TV setup you want. OLED? QLED? 4K? Fancy Mini-LED stuff? Because walking into a store or clicking around aimlessly online on Black Friday is a surefire way to end up with a TV that either doesn’t fit your needs or costs way more than you intended. Trust me, I once got distracted by a ‘doorbuster’ LED TV only to realize I didn’t even want LED.
Also, I don’t care what anyone says—don’t sleep on local retailers. Yep, I said it. While the Targets and Walmarts of the world draw most of the attention, smaller electronics stores sometimes price match big retailers or put out their own flash deals. Plus, odds are lower you’ll have to camp out in subzero temps (unless you’re into that kind of thing, in which case… why?).
One last point: consider the warranties. Retailers like Costco usually bundle extended warranties, and that could be worth its weight in gold if your shiny new TV develops issues two years down the line. Never underestimate the power of a solid warranty, and don’t let impulse-buy energy override rational thinking. Hope you come out of this unscathed, wallet intact.
Alright, you’ve got the 2024 Black Friday TV deals hunt on your mind—let’s break it down with some fresh insights (and a few counterpoints to what’s already been shared).
The Pros and Cons
First, when looking at the big retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, and Amazon (all solid choices mentioned above), remember this: their deals are often tied to sheer volume. This pro means you’ll likely find deep discounts (‘doorbusters’ anyone?), but the con is that these deals might push older or inferior models at those prices. Always verify model numbers—@techchizkid nailed it on that, though I’d emphasize double-checking via YouTube reviews or even Reddit forums instead of just comparing bare specs. A model could be ‘stripped down,’ but customer feedback is the real decider.
Beyond Big Retailers
Where I slightly diverge: smaller local electronics retailers or even online options like Newegg and B&H Photo can be excellent contenders. These guys aren’t playing the “inflate MSRP to slash prices” game as hard as the giants. Sure, their inventory is smaller and might sell out fast (this is a con, obviously), but you’re sometimes rewarded with hidden gems, unique stock, or solid bundle deals (e.g., a soundbar thrown in). If you’re bold enough, consider checking out refurbished sets from Certified Refurb programs—still under warranty, and savings can stack up during holiday sales.
Store Memberships & Financing?
Costco’s been mentioned already, but Sam’s Club often flies under the radar for their Cyber Week deals. The membership deals often include extended warranties, which is a huge pro if you’re grabbing pricier OLED or high-end QLED sets. Financing options deserve a quick mention too—stores like Target run promotions like ‘Save $X on purchases over $X’ with their store credit cards. Just keep your budget in check because that’s a rabbit hole you don’t want to tumble down on an impulse.
Timing Is Everything
Most people are all-in on Black Friday’s “midnight madness,” but a lesser-known pro hack is to shop early online. In recent years, some killer deals have dropped pre-Thanksgiving, purely online. Yes, stock disappears fast, but it beats trying to out-muscle the crowd the next day. That’s where I’d say alerts like Honey or CamelCamelCamel could be clutch. But, unlike @voyageurdubois who says Cyber Monday has juicier picks, I’d argue you can see diminishing returns there—it’s hit or miss depending on what you’re aiming for. TVs tend to get progressively limited by the time Cyber Monday rolls around.
In Summary:
- Big Chains? Great for selection, bad for lingering “scam-style” MSRP pricing.
- Small Stores? Killer deals if you don’t mind lower inventory or boutique vibes.
- Membership Clubs? Long-term value on warranties (Costco wins here).
- Timing? November’s build-up is key; check often, early bird wins.
Lastly, don’t rush into Mini-LED just because it sounds futuristic. If you’re buying a premium TV, OLED is still the ‘king’ for deep blacks and better contrast while QLED rocks the high brightness. Always buy for what your environment (e.g., living room vs dark basement) calls for. Black Friday TV deals can be chaotic, but with careful prep, you’ll dodge the duds and walk out with tech worth bragging about.