Black Friday price tracker: spot the real deals
The trick to saving money on Christmas shopping isn't shopping harder on Black Friday — it's knowing the price before the sale, so you can tell a genuine deal from a fake one.
In short: add the things you want to a WantThis list now, turn on price tracking, and let it record the price across UK retailers. When Black Friday (27 November 2026) arrives, you'll see at a glance whether each “deal” is genuinely the lowest price — or just a sticker that says SALE.
Why most Black Friday “deals” aren't
Every year, consumer groups check Black Friday prices and find the same thing: a large share of “deals” were available for the same price — or cheaper — at other points in the year. A price that's quietly nudged up in October and “slashed” in November isn't a saving; it just looks like one.
You can't tell the difference by looking at the sale page. You can only tell by knowing what the item actually cost over the preceding weeks. That history is the whole game.
How to be ready for Black Friday
Add your Christmas list now
Paste links to everything you're thinking of buying — gifts and treats for yourself — into a WantThis list. The earlier you start, the more price history you build before the sales.
Turn on price tracking
Enable tracking on each item and set an alert threshold (say 10%). WantThis checks prices across 30+ UK retailers and records the history, so you have a baseline to judge any “deal” against.
Let the alerts come to you
Instead of refreshing deal pages, get notified when a price genuinely drops — in the run-up to Black Friday and beyond. A real drop triggers an alert; a fake “sale” that matches the usual price doesn't.
Check the history before you buy
On the day, glance at the price history. If the Black Friday price is the lowest it's been, buy with confidence. If it's the same as last month, save your money.
Frequently asked questions
When is Black Friday 2026 in the UK?
Friday 27 November 2026, with Cyber Monday on 30 November. Many retailers run deals across the whole week, so tracking prices in advance pays off.
Are Black Friday deals actually cheaper?
Often not — studies repeatedly find many were the same or cheaper earlier in the year. Price history is the only reliable way to tell.
How do I track a price before Black Friday?
Add the item to a WantThis list, turn on tracking, and set an alert threshold. You'll get notified on genuine drops and can check the full history any time.
Does it work across different UK shops?
Yes — 30+ UK retailers, so you can watch the same item at several shops and buy from whoever genuinely has the best price.
Read next
- Price tracking guide — how alerts and price history work
- Christmas gift list ideas — start your list early
- Best wishlist apps in the UK — compare the options
Start tracking before the sales
Free, and the earlier you start the more price history you'll have.
Create Your Free List