Getting ready to look for a great Black Friday deal on a TV? Consumer Reports says to start early by looking at both store circulars and online prices. "It used to be limited to whatever stores were in your area and the inventory they carried," said Jim Willcox, Consumer Reports Tech Editor. "When you have an online retailer, sometimes the inventory is almost unlimited."
[Ads /]
When it comes to televisions, you may come across some derivative or "look alike" models for sale. The TVs and their model numbers are almost identical to more expensive models. Derivatives may just offer fewer features. "A lot of times we'll test these TVs and they test very similarly to the regular model that we've tested during the year. So, these can be great deals," said Willcox.
You may also come across some fantastic looking "doorbuster specials" available only in limited quantities."They may not necessarily be TVs that you want to really own. They're TVs that are secondary or tertiary brands, TVs that probably didn't perform all that well in our ratings," said Willcox added.
Do not worry if you don't snag the Black Friday deal of your dreams. TVs go on sale again just before the Superbowl. Willcox said, "That's when a lot of bigger TVs, fully featured TVs, go on sale."
But Willcox said there is a benefit in waiting to buy a television. "Manufacturers and retailers really start to clear out inventory from last year's sets around the February to March time frame, and typically that's when you're gonna see the absolute lowest prices of the year," he said.
[Ads /]
No matter when you buy a TV, Consumer Reports says it pays to haggle and to ask retailers for a price match guarantee. That way, if you see the same TV cheaper at another store, you pay the lower price.
This Black Friday, Consumer Reports says you can expect to see prices drop on 4K TVs, including premium brand 50-inch TVs for less than $200 and premium brand 55-inch 4K TVs right around $300.
Take a look at all of 7 On Your Side's stories with Consumer Reports here.
All Consumer Reports material Copyright 2018 Consumer Reports, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Consumer Reports is a not-for-profit organization which accepts no advertising. It has no commercial relationship with any advertiser or sponsor on this site. For more information visit ConsumerReports.org.