Martin Lewis is urging shoppers to be wary of Black Friday deals that could end up being more expensive than simply waiting until January. The money saving expert returned on Tuesday with a Christmas special edition of The Martin Lewis Money Show Live on ITV1 and ITVX where he took shoppers through the best bargains for Black Friday and Christmas as well as the best time to spend.
Martin told his studio audience that, generally, Black Friday is the best time to buy, but not always. He said: “The best time to buy is the January sales but that’s after Christmas.
“If we look at when is the best time to buy between Black Friday and Christmas, well we’ve been doing research on this the past couple of years, about 70% of the time, Black Friday is cheaper than early Christmas, about 10% of the time early Christmas is cheaper than Black Friday.
“So if there is something and you need it before Christmas – by the way you can always delay it til after Christmas – do an IOU and put that in their Christmas [presents], they’ll love it – you’d be better to do it at Black Friday.”
Martin also issued a warning that people should not buy something if they’re only doing it to grab a bargain, though. He said: “There is something I do want to say, this is my memo I do every year, my annual Black Friday shopping memo especially with the festive forecaster coming up.
“If you were gonna buy it anyway and it’s half price you saved 50%, hurrah. If you weren’t going to buy it but do because it’s half price you’ve wasted 100%.”
Martin then took his viewers through some big savings they can get hold of including an air fryer at B&M.
B&M is currently selling a Tefal Dual Entry Air Fryer for £79, down from £149 but only while stocks last.
He said: “So that air fryer… £79 is a decent deal, we haven’t seen that cheaper anywhere else.”
Martin Lewis’ MSE this week also issued a warning about false deals on Black Friday.
Martin said via his website: “The idea that Black Friday discounts are a complete washout is not backed up by our data – compared, that is, to other prices in the run-up to Christmas. Yet that doesn’t mean it won’t be cheaper at other points of the year. Ironically, the best time to do Christmas shopping (apart from for perishables) is likely to be in January.”
The Martin Lewis Money Show Live from Tuesday, November 18 is still available to watch via ITVX.
