Amazon’s U.S. Black Friday sale starts at 12:01 a.m. Pacific on Thursday, Nov. 19, and runs through Monday, Nov. 30. That gives shoppers more than a week before Black Friday itself on Nov. 27. Walmart opens its first event Nov. 12, so if you know the exact TV, toy or appliance you want, you can check one retailer a full week before the other starts. Amazon’s U.S. sale FAQ · Walmart’s event schedule
Amazon and Walmart start on different days
| Event | Online opening | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Walmart Early Black Friday, Nov. 12 to 15 | 12:01 a.m. Eastern on Nov. 12 | Selected deal drops open first to Walmart+ members. Other shoppers can buy what remains from 12:01 a.m. Eastern on Nov. 13. |
| Amazon Black Friday Week and Cyber Monday, Nov. 19 to 30 | 12:01 a.m. Pacific on Nov. 19 | Check the individual offer for its price, availability and any membership conditions. |
| Walmart Black Friday, Nov. 23 to 29 | 12:01 a.m. Eastern on Nov. 23 | The store event starts at 6 a.m. local time Nov. 27. Selected online drops again have a member window. |
| Walmart Cyber Monday, Nov. 30 to Dec. 2 | 12:01 a.m. Eastern on Nov. 30 | This starts on Amazon’s last announced sale day. |
Amazon’s opening works out to 3:01 a.m. Eastern on Nov. 19. For shoppers on the West Coast, Walmart’s first online event begins at 9:01 p.m. Pacific on Nov. 11. Walmart says its in-store early event begins at 6 a.m. local time Nov. 12. Walmart’s release · Amazon’s schedule
Compare the item before the discount
Save the exact model number, color, storage capacity or pack size from the listing you want. Two offers can have nearly identical names while one includes fewer accessories, has less storage or comes from a different seller. Compare the price for that exact version at both stores, with the shipping address entered, before deciding which is cheaper. The FTC recommends checking who is selling an item and comparing the total cost, including shipping and fees. FTC online shopping advice
Amazon says it plans to rotate deals by theme and offers price history on product pages through Alexa for Shopping. A price alert lets you decide later. Auto-Buy can place the order when the price reaches your target, so choose an alert if you want to check competing offers first. Amazon’s announcement says prices and availability can change. Amazon’s sale announcement
Amazon lists Prime at $14.99 a month or $139 a year. Before paying for a membership to get one offer, check whether that listing actually requires Prime and how much the offer would save you. For example, a $10 price difference would not cover a $14.99 month on its own. Walmart’s early access applies to the selected drops identified in its schedule, with remaining stock opening to everyone the following day. Amazon’s Prime pricing · Walmart’s access rules
Check delivery and returns before you buy
If the gift is for a trip or a party, compare the arrival or pickup estimate at checkout. Amazon Locker can be an option for an eligible order when you cannot be home for delivery. Amazon says customers generally have three days to collect an order after it arrives at a Locker. Check the location’s hours before sending it there, especially if you’ll be out of town. Amazon’s Locker guide
Check the return window for the actual listing and whether return shipping costs extra. A store pickup option can be useful when the price is close and you need the gift on a particular day. Keep the confirmation email and a copy of the listing if the advertised price or delivery terms were what made you choose it. FTC online shopping advice
