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It turns out Black Friday isn't a great day to lay down your cash across all categories. (AP Photo/File)

Why you should do your research before buying Black Friday 'doorbusters'

BY Alyssa Kleven  on November 20, 2012 @ 3:11 pm (Updated: 8:27 pm - 11/20/12 )

Do your research. Decide.com thinks it is a common misconception that you're going to get great deals across the board on Black Friday.

The National Retail Federation projects the "average" holiday shopper will spend $750 on gifts, decor and greeting cards.

When it comes to getting deals, Seattle-based research company Decide.com recommended people shop before or after Black Friday.

"Our advice to consumers is sleep in on Black Friday," Decide.com's Shauna Causey told CBS This Morning. The best deals are actually before or after Black Friday, she said.

It turns out Black Friday isn't a great day to lay down your cash across all categories. Only 30 percent of products Decide.com looked at as "door-busters" were actually a good deal on Black Friday.

Anything video game-related falls in the minority and is a great deal on Black Friday. For loved ones in your lives already looking to lose those pounds on their New Year's resolutions - home fitness equipment can be a bargain too.

What you shouldn't buy for the kids this holiday

Above all, Causey said to do your research. "Consumers have more information at their fingertips than they have ever had before. So my advice and my hope is that they're doing their research to get the best deal." The Black Friday guru said it's never been as competitive as it is now for retailers to get your business.

Alyssa Kleven, MyNorthwest.com Editor
Alyssa Kleven is an editor and content producer at MyNorthwest.com. She enjoys doting over her adorable dachshund Winnie - named for Arcade Fire front-man Win Butler.
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  • Saltchucker wrote...
    As a retailer who doesn't do Black friday
    November 20, 2012 6:42 pm
    I say to the shop to you drop crowd....You're Sheep! How many of your fellow flock members will be trampled this holiday? If most of you heard the way marketers and manufacturers and Ad men talk about how stupid they think most of you are...you'd never want to enrich them! Heck, I don't like 'em either and I HAVE to do business with them. For the record though, I don't think the balck friday crowd are stupid. I just remember the words of the late P.T. Barnum " There's a sucker born every minute."
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  • DonVigo wrote...
    Back when I was in Retail...
    November 21, 2012 1:55 pm
    ... I called it "the art of Strauss." As we in the trade knew at the time, fools and their money part ways quickly. It's a crying shame what the retail industry has done to the holiday, and I'm more thankful this year for my new career than anything else. More power to those who actually enjoy the madness, but it's a fair statement to make that everyone involved in taking your Black Friday money is either actively trying to manipulate you, or thinks/says negative things about you. Supporting the day only lends to their animosity.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }