AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews
The items to steer clear of on Black Friday
As Black Friday approaches, stores are starting to offer their best deals and doorbusters in preparation for the shopping day.
But not every Black Friday deal is worth buying. Here's a list of 10 things you should stay away from purchasing during those holiday shopping sprees.
AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez
New iPhone
Don't expect to look for a Black Friday deal on one of Apple's new iPhones. While some stores may offer gift cards when you buy the iPhone 8 at full price, you won't get one for lower than its $699 list price.
You might find a better deal on the previous-generation iPhone 7 at some retailers.
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Jewelry
Buying jewelry on Black Friday should be a last resort, because there are usually very few discounts offered. Try waiting until January to make your jewelry purchase -- when prices are slashed -- and get a head start on Valentine's Day, Dealnews.com says.
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Winter gear
People are usually on the lookout for winter apparel during Black Friday, as the temperatures start to drop for the upcoming winter season.
According to Marketwatch.com, sought-after discounts and deals are unusual on winter gear before the holidays. You should expect to see the best deals during winter clearance sales from January to March.
AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar
High-definition 1080p TVs
Dealnews.com says its website is expecting low prices on most 4K televisions, and suggests skipping over 1080p televisions at the same size.
Buy the higher-quality television for a better deal -- as 4K televisions are expected to be the norm in the near future.
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Holiday decorations
Holiday decorations and wrapping paper are tempting to buy on Black Friday, but prices usually drop after the holidays are over, if you can wait that long, according to Marketwatch.com.
Retailers mark down prices dramatically when they try to clear out all of the leftover items in January.
AP photo/Elise Amendola
Final sale items
More final sale and clearance items are expected this Black Friday, according to Dealnews.com, so if you're shopping for gifts for family and friends, think twice before buying an item that can't be returned.
When buying clothing, be wary that the gift may not fit or the recipient may not like the item.
Staten Island Advance/Bill Lyons
Tools
Although there may be some credible savings on tool sets or storage items, the best deals are usually in late spring, around Father's Day in June, according to Brent Shelton, a spokesman for deal site Fatwallet.com.
The majority of tool deals on Black Friday are specialty brands such as Craftsman.
If you can, try to hold out on some of the higher-end brand, such as DeWalt and Milwaukee, when discounts are offered near Memorial Day and Father's Day.
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New items, specifically electronics
It's become more common to see new items, primarily electronics, made specifically to be sold at a sale price on Black Friday, Dealnews.com reports.
Dealnews.com says it's not impossible to find a good deal, but to check out the item before buying it to make sure you know what you're purchasing.
Photo courtesy of Department of Parks and Recreation
Fitness equipment
A common New Year resolution is to get in shape and work out more often, and stores will hike the prices in response.
While some stores may often fitness deals, sales and discounts are scarce during the holiday shopping season. Wait until after the first of the year to see prices drop, according to Dealnews.com.
PRNewsFoto/Wine Country Gift Baskets
Perishable gift baskets
Perishable gift baskets had the fewest sales offers during the Black Friday season in accordance with past shopping seasons, according to Dealnews.com.
Don't stock up on these baskets during Black Friday. Since food spoils, retailers will slash prices closer to the holidays.
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