Black Friday 2026 is November 27. Most of the big sales start well before that. Here's the plan I'd follow.
1. Make a list first
Write down what you actually need and the most you'd pay for each one. This is my own tip. A list keeps you from buying a "deal" on something you never wanted.
2. Check the price history
This is my tip, not a store rule. A big "was" price doesn't mean much. Look at what the item has sold for over the last few months. Amazon says its Alexa for Shopping assistant shows up to a year of price history on Amazon items.
3. Join the free memberships before the sales
- Target Circle: free. Some sale prices only show up when you're signed in.
- My Best Buy: free. It gives free standard shipping. The paid tiers, Plus ($29.99 a year) and Total ($199.99 a year), add member prices, 2-day shipping and longer returns.
Paid trials like Walmart+ and Prime are in the Walmart and Amazon guides.
4. Know the dates
- Target: Deal of the Day every day from November 1 to December 24. Early Black Friday runs November 5 to 7.
- Best Buy: Early Black Friday deals start November 6. Ten days of Black Friday deals start November 19. Cyber Week runs December 1 to 6.
- Walmart: Early Black Friday Deals November 12 to 15. Black Friday Deals November 23 to 29, in stores from November 27 at 6 a.m. Cyber Monday deals November 30 to December 2, online.
- Amazon: hasn't posted its Black Friday dates on its own site yet.
I keep these on the calendar.
5. Know the return and price drop rules
This is the part that saves the most money. If a store will refund a later price drop, you can buy early and still get the lower price.
| Store | Holiday return window | Price adjustment after you buy |
|---|---|---|
| Target | Bought Nov 1 to Dec 24, 2026: electronics and entertainment by Jan 24, 2027. Apple, Beats and unlocked or prepaid phones by Jan 8, 2027. Most other items have 90 days anyway. | Yes, for Target's own lower price only. Bought on or after Nov 1, 2026 and the Target price drops by Dec 24, 2026. Other times, 14 days. Doesn't match other stores. |
| Walmart | Most items bought Oct 1 to Dec 31: return until Jan 31. Exceptions include wireless phones, major appliances and Dyson. | No for Walmart.com orders. In stores, Walmart matches a Walmart.com price at checkout only. No competitor matching. |
| Amazon | Bought Nov 1 to Dec 31, 2026: return until Jan 31, 2027. Apple products until Jan 15, 2027. (From Amazon's notice to sellers.) | No. Amazon says it doesn't offer price matching compensation. Only qualifying pre-orders are covered. |
| Best Buy | Bought Oct 30 to Dec 31: most items until Jan 15, 2027. Plus and Total members: Jan 31, 2027 for purchases Oct 30 to Dec 3. Phones and other activatable devices 14 days. Holiday decor 15 days. | Yes, for Best Buy's own lower price. Bought Oct 30 to Dec 31, it can be matched through Jan 15. |
Best Buy and competitor prices: Best Buy matches some competitors at the time you buy, but not prices from the Thursday before Thanksgiving through the Monday after, and not Black Friday pricing. Its holiday guarantee only covers Best Buy's own price. Marketplace items, clearance, open box and refurbished items aren't covered.
6. After you buy
- Save every receipt and order email in one folder. Target and Best Buy need proof of purchase.
- Check the price again during the later sales. If it dropped at Target or Best Buy, ask for the difference.
- Put the return deadlines from the table in your calendar.
My tip: if you're unsure about a gift, buy it at the store with the longest window and the best price drop rule. For the full rules, see the Target, Walmart and Amazon guides.