How to Spot a Real Amazon Deal (and Skip the Fake Ones) Before Black Friday
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Some links to other stores are affiliate links too.
Black Friday is November 27 this year, and Cyber Monday is November 30. Between now and then, you're going to see a LOT of red "deal" badges on Amazon. Some of them are amazing. Some of them are the same price the item has been all year.
I post deals every single day, so I've learned to tell the difference fast. Here's exactly what I check before I share a deal (or buy one myself), so you can shop the holidays without overpaying.
1. Don't trust the crossed-out price on its own
That crossed-out "List Price" isn't always what the item really sells for. Some products are almost never sold at their list price, which makes the discount look bigger than it is.
Here's what to do instead:
- Look for the words "Typical price" under the price when Amazon shows them. That's closer to what the item normally costs.
- Check the price history with a free tool like Keepa or CamelCamelCamel. If the "sale" price is the same as last month's price, it's not a real deal.
- Be extra careful with discounts over 70% off. A few are real, but most of the time the "before" price was never real.
On my deals site, I skip anything over 70% off for this exact reason.
2. Always check for a coupon to clip
This is the easiest money you'll ever save. Lots of products have a little coupon checkbox right under the price that says something like "Apply $5 coupon" or "Save 15% with coupon."
You have to tick that box yourself before adding the item to your cart, or you won't get the discount. It's easy to miss on the phone app.
You can also browse every coupon that's live right now. I put a "Today's Amazon coupons" button at the top of my deals page: see today's coupons here.
✏️ Optional: add a product here that has a good clip coupon right now, then put its number on the next line, like [[1]]
Yankee Candle Signature Votive Mini Candle Jars, 12 Days of Christmas Candle Advent Calendar 2026 Variety Pack, Natural Soy Wax Blend Candle with Natural Fiber Wick, 1.3 OZ Glass Jar, (Pack of 12)
3. Stack a promo code on top
This is where the really good deals come from. Some sellers share promo codes (usually 20% to 60% off) that you type in at checkout, and many of them work on top of a sale price or a coupon.
The catch: most codes are limited and can end early. When you see one, use it the same day.
I find these codes every day and post them in the Promo codes tab on my site, with a Copy button so you don't have to type anything: browse today's promo codes.
✏️ Add 1 or 2 promo code deals you like right now:
-36%
Fayenne Going Out Tops Off Shoulder Floral Sheer Sleeve Asymmetrical Shirt | One Shoulder Top, Sexy Date Night Outfits, Mesh Blouses, Ruched Slim Fitted, See Through, Night Out Party Club
-12%Limited time deal
DREO Space Heater, Portable Electric Heaters for Indoor Use with Thermostat | 2026 Upgraded, 34dB Quiet, 12H Timer, 5 Mode, Remote, 1500W PTC Ceramic Fast Safety Heat for Office Bedroom Home, Gold
4. Buy the "boring" stuff early
Everyone waits for Black Friday for TVs and air fryers. But the things that really add up over the holidays are the boring ones: wrapping paper, tape, batteries, stocking stuffers, baking supplies, and gift bags.
Those go on sale all through October and November, and they sell out in December. I grab them as soon as I see a good price and check them off my list.
✏️ Add a "boring but useful" deal or two here (batteries, wrapping paper, gift bags…):
-29%Limited time deal
iRobot Roomba Max 715 Pet Robot Vacuum, 30,000Pa Suction, Dual Rubber Anti-Tangle Brushes & Side Brush, 90 Days Self-Emptying, PrecisionVision AI Obstacle Avoidance, 3D Mapping, Advanced Dirt Detect
5. Watch the deals that end on a timer
Some deals have a countdown and a bar showing how much has been claimed. Those are Lightning Deals, and they really do sell out.
If you see one you want and it's already 80% claimed, don't think about it for too long. If it sells out, you can sometimes join the waitlist, and you'll get a chance at it if someone else doesn't check out in time.
6. Know the return window before you buy
Buying gifts early is smart, but you want to be able to return them after the holidays. Amazon has usually offered an extended holiday return window for items bought in November and December, but always check the return details on the product page before you buy. Some items, and some third-party sellers, have different rules.
7. Make a list now, so you're ready
The biggest mistake I see is waiting until Black Friday morning to decide what you want. By then, the best deals are often gone.
Here's my simple plan:
- Write down who you're buying for and a budget for each person.
- Add the gifts you're thinking about to an Amazon list, so you can check them every few days.
- When one of them drops to a good price (check the price history!), buy it.
Where I post the best deals every day
I go through hundreds of deals so you don't have to, and I only share Prime deals (no slow shipping from random sellers). Here's where to find them:
- My deals site: deals.mytop5finds.com, updated all day, with promo codes and coupons.
Happy shopping, and happy early holidays! 🎁