The Ultimate Guide to Amazon Black Friday Deals: How to Find the Best Savings

Amazon has revolutionized Black Friday shopping by eliminating the need to wait in long lines, battle crowds, or rush to stores before inventory sells out. Instead, you can browse thousands of deals from the comfort of your home, compare prices easily, and have purchases delivered directly to your door—often with free shipping for Prime members.

What makes Amazon particularly attractive during Black Friday is the sheer breadth of products on sale. Unlike specialized retailers that focus on specific categories, Amazon offers discounts across virtually every department—from the latest tech gadgets and kitchen appliances to fashion, toys, books, and household essentials.

Create Targeted Wishlists

Amazon’s wishlist feature is your most powerful preparation tool. Create organized wishlists by category or priority to keep track of items you’re interested in.

• Add items to your wishlist weeks before Black Friday
• Organize multiple wishlists by category (Electronics, Home, Gifts, etc.)
• Prioritize items by need vs. want
• Set a budget for each category
• Enable wishlist sharing if shopping for others

Research Price History

Not every “deal” is actually a good value. Some retailers inflate original prices to make discounts seem deeper than they are. Use price tracking tools to verify if a Black Friday price is truly a good deal.

• Install the CamelCamelCamel browser extension to view Amazon price history
• Check Keepa for detailed price tracking graphs
• Note the lowest historical price for your wishlist items
• Set price drop alerts for specific targets
• Research typical discount percentages for your product categories

On Amazon’s Website:

• “Watch this deal” button on upcoming deals
• Add items to your wishlist and check “notify me of price drops”
• Join the waitlist for sold-out Lightning Deals
• Enable Amazon Assistant browser extension for deal alerts

On Amazon’s Mobile App:

• Enable push notifications for deals
• Set up “Watched Deals” in the Deals section
• Create deal alerts for specific categories
• Use the camera feature to scan products and track their prices

Mobile App vs. Desktop: Which is Better?

Both platforms offer advantages, and serious deal hunters often use both simultaneously.

Understanding Amazon’s Deal Types

Amazon offers several types of Black Friday discounts, each with different durations and availability. Knowing the difference helps you prioritize your shopping.

Deal Page Organization

Amazon organizes Black Friday deals in multiple ways. Understanding this structure helps you find relevant discounts faster.

• Today’s Deals page – Central hub for all current offers
• Black Friday Deals Store – Dedicated section during the event
• Department-specific deal pages – Filtered by category
• Lightning Deal carousel – Rotating time-limited offers
• Upcoming Deals section – Preview deals before they go live

Filtering and Sorting Tips

Use Amazon’s filtering tools to cut through the noise and find relevant deals quickly.

• Filter by department first, then by discount percentage
• Sort by “Price: Low to High” for budget shopping
• Use the “Prime” filter if you’re a member
• Filter by average customer review (4+ stars) for quality items
• Use the price range filter to stay within budget

Before the Deal Goes Live:

• Check the “Upcoming Deals” section regularly
• Click “Watch this Deal” on items of interest
• Have your payment and shipping information updated
• Enable 1-Click ordering if available
• Know the deal start time and set an alarm

When the Deal is Active:

• Add to cart immediately—don’t hesitate
• You have 15 minutes to complete checkout
• Join the waitlist if the deal shows “100% claimed”
• Check your notifications for waitlist openings
• Have backup options if you miss a deal

Additional Prime Benefits for Holiday Shopping

• Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card – Earn 5% cashback on Amazon purchases
• Prime Try Before You Buy – Try clothing items before purchasing
• Amazon Photos – Unlimited photo storage for holiday memories
• Prime Gaming – Free games and in-game content
• Prime Video – Stream holiday movies and shows between shopping

Account Security Essentials

• Use a strong, unique password for your Amazon account
• Enable two-factor authentication in your account settings
• Never share your login credentials, even with family members (use Amazon Household instead)
• Check your account for unfamiliar devices in the security settings
• Log out after shopping on shared or public computers

Payment Security Best Practices

• Use credit cards instead of debit cards for better fraud protection
• Consider using Amazon’s store card for additional security and rewards
• Check that the website URL is secure (https:// with a lock icon)
• Review your payment methods regularly for unauthorized changes
• Enable purchase notifications to catch unauthorized transactions

Red Flags to Watch For:

• Prices that seem too good to be true compared to other sellers
• New seller accounts with little or no feedback history
• Poor seller ratings (below 95% positive)
• Unusual shipping timeframes (extremely long delivery estimates)
• Requests to communicate or pay outside of Amazon’s platform

Safe Third-Party Shopping:

• Look for “Fulfilled by Amazon” for added protection
• Check seller ratings and read recent reviews
• Verify the return policy before purchasing
• Document any issues with photos immediately upon delivery
• Use Amazon’s A-to-Z Guarantee for problem resolution

How to Make Returns Easy

Follow these tips to ensure smooth returns if needed:

• Keep all original packaging until you’re sure you’ll keep the item
• Take photos of expensive items upon unboxing
• Save digital copies of receipts in your email
• Test electronics promptly after delivery
• Note any special return instructions in the product listing

Return Options

Amazon offers multiple convenient ways to return items:

• Amazon Locker – Convenient dropoff locations
• Kohl’s – No-box, no-label returns at stores
• UPS Stores – Often with no packaging required
• Whole Foods Market – For eligible items
• Home pickup – Available in some areas

Manufacturer Warranties

Most new products come with the manufacturer’s warranty, regardless of whether purchased during Black Friday sales. Key points to remember:

• Sale prices don’t affect standard manufacturer warranty coverage
• Warranty periods typically begin on the purchase date
• Save your Amazon receipt as proof of purchase date
• Register products with manufacturers when applicable
• Read warranty terms for coverage limitations

Extended Warranty Options

Amazon often offers extended warranty plans through Allstate Protection Plans (formerly SquareTrade). Consider these factors:

• Extended warranties provide coverage beyond the manufacturer’s warranty
• Black Friday discounts sometimes apply to protection plans
• Most valuable for high-ticket electronics and appliances
• Coverage typically includes mechanical and electrical failures
• Claims process is separate from Amazon’s return system

Price Drop Refunds

While Amazon doesn’t have an official post-purchase price matching policy, you have options if an item’s price drops after your purchase:

• Return and repurchase if the price difference is significant
• Contact customer service to request a courtesy adjustment
• Use credit card price protection if your card offers it
• Track prices for 30 days after purchase
• Check competitor prices for potential price matching

Reward Point Optimization

Maximize your savings by optimizing how you earn and redeem points:

• Use the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa for 5% back
• Check if your credit card offers bonus points for Amazon purchases
• Consider using accumulated points for future purchases
• Look for special point promotions during December
• Enroll in Amazon’s Shop with Points program

Before Black Friday:

• Create organized wishlists by category and priority
• Research price history to recognize genuine deals
• Set up deal notifications through the Amazon app
• Consider a Prime membership for exclusive deals and early access
• Prepare your account with updated payment and shipping information

During Black Friday:

• Use both mobile and desktop for different advantages
• Check deals frequently throughout the day, especially at peak times
• Act quickly on Lightning Deals for high-demand items
• Verify third-party sellers before purchasing
• Maintain security awareness throughout your shopping