Wirecutter’s Jason Chen Breaks Down Your Biggest Black Friday & Holiday Shopping Doubts

Jason Chen answers your top Black Friday shopping questions. Jason Chen answers your top Black Friday shopping questions.

6. Categories That Are NOT Worth Buying on Black Friday

Some products rarely offer real Black Friday discounts and aren’t worth buying.
Some products rarely offer real Black Friday discounts and aren’t worth buying.

It’s just as crucial to know what you shouldn’t buy as it is to know what you should.

Jason Chen’s Black Friday “Avoid List”:

A. Furniture

Better discounts occur during:

  • January clearance
  • July/Aug summer sales

Black Friday deals here are mostly surface-level.

B. Newly Released Phones

Apple, Samsung, Google flagship phones rarely drop significantly in November.

C. Winter Clothing

Retailers discount these AFTER winter — not before it.

D. Luxury Beauty Items

Holiday gift sets are often marked up.

E. Gaming Consoles

Bundles rarely offer true savings — often they include low-demand games.

Chen’s message:
Black Friday doesn’t automatically guarantee that every item is discounted.