There are certain days of the year when it pays to stay out of the stores. Christmas Eve is one of them — unless, of course, you like the idea of battling frenzied shoppers for last-minute holiday purchases.
Similarly, Black Friday tends to be a madhouse at popular retailers, so it’s a day I usually try to stay out of stores. But crowds aren’t my only issue with Black Friday. I also don’t like the fact that many of the so-called deals you see advertised are nothing but a giant dupe.
It’s not uncommon for retailers to sell Black Friday versions of the products that normally grace their shelves, especially when it comes to electronics. And when you buy electronics on Black Friday, you run the risk of getting stuck with products that are inferior in quality because they’re made with lower-cost components than the regular version.
But while I generally don’t seek out Black Friday deals, Costco is my one exception to that rule. Not only have I shopped for Black Friday deals at Costco in the past, but I actually wouldn’t hesitate to do so again for these reasons.
1. I’m not worried about product quality at Costco
I’m not willing to buy an inferior version of a product I want just to save money. In my book, that’s not actually saving money — it’s taking a risk that your money is going down the drain.
But because Costco has such a strong commitment to quality, I don’t see Costco engaging in the practice of offering sub-par products made for Black Friday only. And even if Costco does strike a deal with manufacturers to offer Black Friday–only versions of certain electronics, I’m confident that Costco will do its research to make sure its customers aren’t getting stuck with bum products.
2. I’m confident in Costco’s return policy
Costco has one of the most generous return policies among retailers. You can typically bring back any item at any time without an issue.
Now, electronics are an exception. But even there, Costco gives you 90 days to get a refund. That’s more than enough time to try out a Black Friday deal on a TV or laptop and make sure it’s up to par.
3. My savings are multiplied with my Executive membership
As an Executive member at Costco, I’m eligible to earn 2% cash back on my purchases. Even if another store is able to match Costco’s Black Friday prices, it pays for me to shop at Costco to get that money back.
Plus, my credit card also gives me money back at Costco specifically. And if you use the right one, you might snag your fair share of cash back even if you don’t pay extra for an Executive membership like I do. Click here for a list of the best credit cards for Costco shoppers.
While I normally opt to sit out shopping on Black Friday, I’ve made exceptions in the past only for Costco. A few years back, I bought a TV there on Black Friday, and it’s still working perfectly fine. So if you’re like me and tend to avoid Black Friday like the plague, you may want to give Costco a chance, even if you swear off all other stores the day after Thanksgiving.