Here at Post Wanted, we pride ourselves on producing content to best inform you on a topic everyone can relate to — what products and services are worth your time and money.
We work around the clock to research the hottest new launches and buzziest products, curate gift guides with recommendations we’d actually buy and — to everyone’s delight — the best act-fast sales to grab.
With Black Friday on its way on Nov. 29, we’re treating it as our Super Bowl. You’ll find dozens of shopping guides posted on the Post Wanted. But, for the first time ever, we’re giving an exclusive look at how we narrow down products and that mosey on into our well-crafted articles.
Your Black Friday FAQs, answered by shopping experts
Is Cyber Monday still going on?
At some retailers, yes! Many brands extended Cyber Week sales beyond December 2, but act now before deals and inventory run out!
When is Travel Tuesday 2024?
Jet-setters rejoice: Travel Tuesday, with its great deals on flights, hotels, cruises, all-inclusives, and more, will take place on Tuesday, December 3, 2024.
Where can I find the best deals?
Right here! Follow Post Wanted shopping coverage for all the Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Travel Tuesday deals worth your coin in 2024.
Does Amazon have better deals on Prime Day or Black Friday?
Whether Amazon offers better deals on Prime Day or Black Friday depends on the type of product you’re looking for and when you’re shopping. Both events have distinct advantages.
Since Prime Day is exclusive to Amazon Prime members, the discounts are often focused on Amazon’s own products (think: devices, , , and more). You’ll see significant price drops on these items, as well as exclusive deals on electronics, home goods, and other popular categories.
This doesn’t mean the deals are only great on Prime Day. Black Friday, the official “start” of the holiday shopping season, boasts a wider variety of deals. You’ll see competitive discounts across many categories, including fashion, toys, appliances, and electronics, and that’s only naming a few. While Amazon leads in some categories (like electronics), other retailers such as Walmart, Best Buy and Target also run aggressive deals.
Our Deal-Hunting Process
Just because a product or service is marked down from its original retail price doesn’t mean it’s a *good* deal (to our standards, at least). A good deal also doesn’t have to be the highest percentage off its original price, either.
The Post Wanted team has a firm grasp on what products our readers like, spend their money on, and run to when it’s on sale. That said, a 20% off deal on, say, a , is oftentimes more of a hot-button deal than a 50% off deal on a lesser-known brand.
Our seasoned team of commerce reporters, partnerships managers, and editors work hand-in-hand to test products, talk through consumer shopping habits, and research what’s trending — all of which has allowed us to know what’s worth your money.
When sourcing top deals, we first ask the question, “What makes a good deal?” Unlike some other publishers in the space, maybe some who cut wires or are good at housekeeping, we don’t have a 10-page “best practices” kit for relaying deal coverage to our readers. Instead, we act like each of you: we go on an online marketplace like Amazon, scour the internet for what’s trending or practical, and then speak from our years of research or personal experience trying the brand or product.
“Any product or service that’s more than 35% off is something I begin to get excited about,” McCormick said. “There’s less of a chance that markups happen.”
On the topic of markups, it’s important to remember that not all deals are created equal. From years of experience covering deals, we find it critical to discover what an item’s original price is, which may differ from what an online retailer claims it to be. So, not every seemingly good deal is even a “deal” in the first place.
“We keep a close eye to original retail pricing and unfortunately, some retailers uptick their pricing to make it seem like you’re getting a good deal,” McCormick added. “Your best bet is to copy and paste the product you’re looking for into Google Search to see if it’s cheaper at competing outlets. But, remember to factor in your account — if you have one — as you’re likely not paying for shipping most of the time.”
Equally as important is brand reputation, the number of customer reviews (and of course our reviews), and how popular the product is. Ahead, the Post Wanted team outlines what each major retailer is known for, how to track down great deals, and what to possibly skip.
Our tips for finding a good deal on Amazon
For Amazon specifically, the retailer will note how frequently the item is purchased. You may see a line underneath the product name reading “6K bought in the last month.”
Don’t let the thousands of products Amazon has to offer discourage you, either. “The ‘Today’s Deals’ section isn’t particularly well-organized, so don’t fear scrolling and scrolling because you can strike gold as you get further down the page,” McCormick tipped off.
What to shop on Amazon? The retailer is excellent for smart TVs, streaming equipment, and seasonal items. “Summer brings upon great deals on air purifiers, fans, and air conditioners,” McCormick noted. “Typically, home security items and Apple tech are typically on great deals worth buying for Amazon.”
Seek household essentials on Amazon as well, like garbage bags and mops. These less-than-$25 items are usually ones you repurchase anyway, so you may as well save some of your hard-earned coins while you can.
The Post Wanted team values brand reputation and how popular the product is (“6K bought in the last month…) to gauge quality and longevity. “Overall, we look at how well the product performs in general,” McCormick said.
You’ll also want to watch out for incredible Amazon beauty deals. “Prime Day events on Amazon are great opportunities to stock up on the essentials, like your , or the higher-priced items you’ve been eyeing, like the ,” Victoria Giardina, our commerce journalist and content strategist, tipped off. “It’s just as good of a time for hair tools and makeup, too.”
Our tips for finding a good deal at Walmart
“Walmart features a lot of larger products for rollbacks because it’s a huge big-box store,” McCormick said. Think appliances, treadmills, and bed frames.
They also feature great deals on video games and cameras, bicycles, pools, and grills as well. At this retailer, you’ll want to search for physically large items in particular.
doesn’t feature as many great deals when it comes to apparel. Its material isn’t typically as nice in comparison to retailers such as . “Beauty items tend to be of lesser quality and not as desirable as premium options you may find at Amazon,” he added.
You can also to unlock benefits similar to that of a Prime membership.
Our tips for finding a good deal at Wayfair
If there’s one thing we know about , it’s that the retailer features flash sales daily. You’ll typically find markups of up to 80% off.
“Between and in addition to those flash sales, Wayfair hosts regular major sales, especially on rugs,” McCormick added. “Sleeper sofas and outdoor furniture sets are huge markets for Wayfair as well.”
Pay extra attention to minor household accents like doorknobs, lighting and throw pillows. When on sale, these items can be great finds.
As a rule of thumb, anything more than 50% off is considered a “Wayfair steal” in our eyes. However, this varies with the product you may be looking for. For example, take some time to sort through its , even though the online retailer’s bread and butter is larger pieces of furniture.
Our tips for finding a good deal at Target
Among all items, is an excellent destination for toys and both indoor and outdoor furniture. The retailer is also great for outdoor games, grills, pool accessories, inflatables, and lawn chairs.
“They’re pretty sturdy and a good value for the price,” McCormick added.
You may want to skip Target’s apparel in most cases. “They’re budget-friendly but you’re not going to really find a $20 shirt for $10,” McCormick explained. “Tech items typically don’t have regular sales but you’ll have to shop around during major deal events.”
What’s more, on events like , Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, Target typically price-matches Amazon.
You can also to unlock benefits similar to that of a Prime membership.
A glimpse into our readers’ shopping habits
Post Wanted shoppers are like our built-in shopping besties. They tend to have their eyes on fantastic deals we spotlight, trending items that are circulating the market, and those everyday, must-haves that can sometimes be hidden gems.
We have a healthy amount of year-round shoppers who love brands like DEWALT and vacuums like BISSELL, Dyson, Roomba, and Shark. Our reader base tends to add seasonal items to their carts, like pool vacuums in the summer and snow blowers in the winter.
“In a nutshell, our shoppers love great deals on things that’ll enhance their appearance and make their house clean.”
P.J. McCormick, commerce deals writer/reporter
Amazon shoppers love great beauty deals, especially on SPF, hair masks and shampoos. Apple tech is a product category our readers love when we post about them, especially on and sometimes a ). “They also love a home essential win, like vacuum or hand tool,” McCormick highlighted.
Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post
For over 200 years, the New York Post has been America’s go-to source for bold news, engaging stories, in-depth reporting, and now, insightful shopping guidance. We’re not just thorough reporters – we sift through mountains of information, test and compare products, and consult experts on any topics we aren’t already schooled specialists in to deliver useful, realistic product recommendations based on our extensive and hands-on analysis. Here at The Post, we’re known for being brutally honest – we clearly label partnership content, and whether we receive anything from affiliate links, so you always know where we stand. We routinely update content to reflect current research and expert advice, provide context (and wit) and ensure our links work. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.
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