What to Skip and What to Shop on Black Friday

Black Friday is kicking off earlier and earlier every year, with sales starting in early November and extending into December. 

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While big sales can save us money, they can also drive impulse purchases and overconsumption. So every year, we’re very mindful about what we shop and what we skip during Black Friday sales to make sure we avoid things that might go to waste or drive overspending. When we’re looking at Black Friday sales, here’s what we’re keeping an eye out for. 

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What to Look For on Black Friday

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Replacements and refills 

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For your tried-and-true consumables like your favorite sunscreen or go-to coffee brand, big sales like Black Friday can be a great time to restock or refill. Keep an eye on shelf life, though! 

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Well-researched upgrades

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If your hiking boots have outlived their trips to the cobbler or your toaster is barely working, even after a trip to the local repair fair, sales can give you an opportunity to invest in a well-researched upgrade. Take your time to read reviews, research the materials, and, of course, assess the brand's sustainability. Whenever you can, choose secondhand first!

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Secondhand / refurbished

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Before we buy new things like clothing, shoes, media, or tech, we always shop secondhand first. This is especially true on Black Friday! With a little digging, you can usually find barely-used versions of the products you’re looking for on marketplaces and sites like Backmarket, Thredup, or Depop. These sites may also run Black Friday sales!

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Sustainable brands, especially those that don’t have sales often

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Sustainable business models don’t have much pricing wiggle room because they typically pay higher wages throughout the supply chain, use more reputable, sustainable materials, and invest in more renewable business practices. So sales don’t come often, but when they do, these brands are our first stop when shopping for upgrades and replacements. To see which brands are most sustainable, check Commons’ ratings.

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Local shops and Handmade goods

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Don’t forget local stores when you're deal-hunting. Whether it’s a visit to your local stationery shop, plant nursery, or boutique, you may be able to find holiday deals that support local makers and your community economy.

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What to Avoid on Black Friday

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Trendy Products

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Trends are never a good investment, but they’re even more tempting with deep discounts. Avoid the urge! If you’re eyeing a trendy item, add it to a “want to buy” list. With the speed of trend cycles, you’re likely to find it at the thrift store in a month. 

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Clothes and Decor That Aren't Your Style

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Sales can push us to step outside our comfort zone. Even if we’ve never worn wide-leg pants in our lives, at 40% off, you may think, “I can’t afford not to try it!” But think about it, if this product were full price, would you buy it then? If you had it in your closet today, how would you style it tomorrow?

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Personal care or beauty products you haven’t tried before

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Big discounts lower the barrier to buy, which can mean you bring your guard down. And with personal care and beauty products, they’re at high risk of landfill if they don’t work out for you. Before you buy, research the product as diligently as you would if you were buying it at full price. 

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Fast Fashion

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Fast fashion brands are a no-go. They resort to using synthetic fabrics (aka plastic), underpaying their employees, and often creating dangerous working conditions. On top of that, they fuel overconsumption year-round with relentless trend cycles. Black Friday is a perfect day to unsubscribe from fast fashion emails and unfollow on social media. 

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Products That Aren’t Actually on Sale

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One study found that 30% of products were priced higher before Black Friday, so that when the sale hit, the discount looked deeper than it actually was. Sometimes, brands will put sale stickers on items that have no discount at all to make it seem like you’re getting a deal. Use historical price checking tools to see if you’re actually getting a deal.