The best time of year to buy a TV may not be Black Friday

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Black Friday is the top holiday for bargain shoppers, but according to Consumer Reports it may not be the best time to shop for a TV.

7 On Your Side found out that over the last few years Black Friday bargains have been changing.

"Probably the biggest trend with Black Friday that we've seen is just that it's no longer about Black Friday the day, it's Black Friday, the week, the month. We see deals, creeping up earlier and earlier every year," said Jim Willcox who works with Consumer Reports.

While the shift means more sales it doesn't necessarily mean they're favoring the buyer.

"One of the downsides to Black Friday shopping is that for a lot of consumers, it's a lot more work than it used to be," Willcox told 7 On Your Side. "You used to just look in a circular on Sunday and go out and pick the store you want to get to. Because of all the online activity now, you really have to monitor all the different websites."

That also means you can't always rely on the advertisements. Just because something is coined a Black Friday bargain doesn't necessarily mean it's the lowest price you'll be able to find.

For example, Consumer Reports says there are sometimes better deals on TVs when you shop closer to Christmas Day or even waiting a few weeks for Super Bowl sales.

"A lot of it is based on inventory levels. So if retailers and manufacturers don't sell a lot of TVs during the year they may have the buildup in inventory," said Willcox.

Experts say if you want the best bang for your buck when it comes to TVs, you may have to wait until the end of February or the beginning of March. That's when stores clear out last year's models at rock bottom prices to make room for the newest products on the market.

Some big bargains to keep an eye on, if you plan to buy a TV in the coming months include 4K Models for Samsung, LG and Sharp.

Click here to get in touch with the 7 On Your Side team if you have a consumer issue you need help with.

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