Prime Day vs. Black Friday 2020 Deals – Buy Now or Later?

Should You Buy Early or Wait for the November Sales as Early Prime Day Deals Start?

It is just two days until Prime Day, one of Amazon’s lagest sales of the year. Scroll down to see some of the Amazon Prime Day sales that have been announced. Or just click here to go to the Prime Day deals and start shopping.

With Prime Day only two months before Black Friday this year due to the coronavirus, many shoppers are going to face the question of whether to kick off their Christmas shopping early or to try to hold off for even bigger savings later in the year. Which way should you go on the Prime Day vs Black Friday deals question? Keep reading for our answer …

Prime Day is usually a full four months before Black Friday and Cyber Monday, leaving plenty of time for shoppers to splurge for themselves over the summer and recharge their bank account before shopping for their friends and family over Thanksgiving. But this year it is basically going to be an early Black Friday sale for some – that is even how Best Buy is positioning its competing sale!

Why was Prime Day delayed?

In mid-March when businesses and governments started closing in-person shopping and stores, it became clear that 2020 was going to be a very different year than those in recent memory. Online shopping surged to new records and bricks & mortar establishments quickly transitioned to enhanced online offerings. Traditional online retailers like Amazon struggled to meet the surge in demand due to the government imposed shutdown of stores. Supply contraints, shipping delays, and concerns about the health of workers all became challenges facing order fulfillment.

Prime Day, the summer shopping event of the year for some time now, was a casualty of that surge. On Prime Day, Amazon rewards members of its paid subscription program with substantial savings across items offered by Amazon and third-party sellers on its website. They also usually offer a 30 day free trial of the membership to entice other online shoppers to try its program which is known for its fast free two day shipping option. The regular cost of a Prime membership is currently $119 annually or $12.99 a month (due to a price increase from $99 annually in May 2018).

The rumors about a Prime Day delay started shortly after the COVID-19 shutdown this year. A delay to August was initially anticipated, but in July Amazon announced that it would not be holding its popular annual sale this year until October 2020.

Buy Now or Wait?

Amazon sold more than $7 billion dollars of items online during their forty-eight hour sale last year. It was Amazon’s single biggest sales event ever, surpassing records set by prior Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. You can rest assured that you are getting some of Amazon’s best deals of the year. But are they the very best?

Black Friday and Cyber Monday offer Amazon more competition as EVERY manufacturer and store is rolling out their sales at the same time. They know that bargain shoppers are going to choose the lowest prices, and it is not simply a question of which third-party manufacturer or seller will earn the customer dollars.

The problem with waiting is that there is no guarantee that there will be a Black Friday sale at all. Many Prime Day deals will be the same as that are offered later during the Thanksgiving shopping weekend. Others will be better. Some will of course be worse. And there is no way to figure out in advance which one you are getting.

How to decide whether to buy during Prime Day?

Since many Prime Day deals are simply replicated on Black Friday, if you are splurging on a gift for yourself, you can safely buy many of them knowing that even if they decide to drop the price a bit more later, you will have two months of extra use of it. Also, if you have any concerns that there might be supply chain disruption later in the year, you should definitely order now if you get a price that compels you to pull the trigger. Stores are also expecting that some shoppers will have exhausted their holiday spending budget before Thanksgiving, so they are rolling out the sales even earlier this year to encourage people to not wait.

If you are looking to shop for a cheap television or other electronics item, you will probably still see the lowest prices on them over Thanksgiving and Black Friday. Even if stores roll out some early sales (which they do every year), it would be shocking if Walmart isn’t saving a sub $100 TV for the day after Thanksgiving. One alternative to that is Best Buy, which is of course offering its price guarantee on its Black Friday sales so that you know the price that you get early will be the best one that they offer later.

Amazon Prime Day Sales Already Announced:

Amazon Devices

Save 60% on our most popular smart speaker, Echo Dot (3rd Gen), just $18.99
Save up to $80 on Echo Show devices. Get the Echo Show 5 for $44.99, Echo Show 8 for $64.99, and Echo Show (2nd Gen) for $149.99
Take Alexa on the road with $30 off Echo Auto, now with Auto Mode in the Alexa App and Start My Commute features, just $19.99
Fire TV Edition Smart TVs start at just $79.99. Plus, get the Insignia 32-inch Smart HD Fire TV Edition TV for $109.99 and the Toshiba 43-inch Smart 4K UHD Fire TV Edition TV for $209.99
Save $40 on Fire TV Cube and use your voice to control your entertainment experience, just $79.99
Save up to 45% on Fire tablets. Get the Fire HD 10 for $79.99 and Fire 7 Kids Edition tablet for $59.99
Save $75 on eero Mesh WiFi system ensuring you have whole home WiFi coverage, just $174.00
Save $20 on Ring Stick Up Cam, just $79.99.
Save 30% on Ring Video Doorbell devices and get Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) for $69.99
Get Blink Mini Indoor Cam, just $24.99
Get your smart home started with Ring Video Doorbell 3 and Echo Show 5, just $149.99
Get an Echo Dot and LIFX Smart Bulb (Wi-Fi set up), just $18.99
Save $50 on Kindle Paperwhite, just $79.99
Save $35 on the Kindle Kids Edition, just $74.99

Electronics

Save 36% on 12 Month Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership + SanDisk 128GB Memory Card
Save up to 33% on select Nintendo Switch titles
Save up to 33% on DJI Mavic Mini Drone and Osmo cameras
Save up to 35% on Nixplay WIFI digital frames
Save up to 40% off on Panasonic cameras
Save up to 46% on Garmin GPS units and smartwatches
Save up to 30% on Tile trackers
Save 30% on select cell phone cases
Save on JBL Boombox
Save up to 30% on headphones from top brands
Save up to 30% on select Samsung and Sony TVs
Save 20% on Mynt 3D pens
Save 20% on Sindoh 3D printers
Save 30% on Dremel 3D20 DigiLab 3D Printer

Smart Home

Save $75 on Select August Locks and get a free Echo Dot(3rd Gen)
Save up to 30% off Arlo Smart Home Security Products
Save up to 33% on iRobot Roomba vacuums
Save on myQ Smart Garage Hub
Save up to 35% on Smart Home products from Moen, Leviton, Kasa and more
Save on ecobee3 lite Smart Thermostat
Save up to 44% on Shark vacuums
Save up to 22% on Hamilton Beach Works with Alexa Smart Coffee Maker

Small Businesses Including Amazon Launchpad and Amazon Handmade

Save up to 47% on Parker Baby Co. baby products and gear
Save up to 40% on Pawstruck natural dog treats
Save up to 25% on Simply Gum natural breath mints and chewing gum
Save 20% on select Amazon Launchpad products including Skoolzy STEM Peg Board Toddler Stacking Toys and Taco vs. Burrito, the surprisingly strategic card game
Save up to 25% on select Amazon Launchpad products including Trifo Robot Vacuum Cleaners
Save up to 20% on handcrafted gifts and décor from Amazon Handmade
Save 20% on pumpkin bakery soy candles from Amazon Handmade Maker, Lorenzen Candle Co
Save 20% on rose embossing rolling pins from Amazon Handmade Maker, Algis Crafts
Save 20% on blue simulated turquoise hoop earrings from Amazon Handmade Maker, MJLuLu
Save 20% on dog leash holders from Amazon Handmade Maker, G3 Studios

Home & Kitchen

Save up to 30% on Classic Brands, Furrino, and Sauder furniture
Save up to 30% on Zinus furniture
Save up to 30% on Casper mattresses
Save up to 35% on Bissell floorcare
Save up to 40% on kitchen essentials from Le Creuset, Pyrex, Corelle and more
Save up to 50% on Instant Pot products
Save up to 30% on Cuisinart appliances and cookware
Save up to 37% on Ninja kitchen products

Toys & Games

Save up to 30% on Arts & Crafts sets for kids
Save up to 30% on Barbie & Hot Wheels toys
Save up to 40% on Fashion Dolls and Accessories from brands like L.O.L. Surprise!, Calico Critters and Journey Girls
Save up to 30% on NERF Toys
Save up to 30% on Playskool, Sesame Street and Littlest Pet Shop toys
Save up to 30% on toys from Marvel, Star Wars and more
Save up to 30% on toys from Melissa & Doug, V-Tech, Battat, Hape and more
Save up to 30% on Outdoor and Ride-on products
Save up to 30% on games from Magic the Gathering, Exploding Kittens and more
Save up to 30% on STEM toys and building sets
Save 15% on AmScope Microscopes for Kids

Fashion

Save up to 40% on select Levi’s for the whole family
Save up to 35% on select Calvin Klein underwear
Save up to 50% on select watches from Citizen, Bulova, Anne Klein, Fossil and more
Save up to 30% on select men’s and women’s clothing and more from our brands
Save up to 30% on select Cubcoats for kids
Save up to 15% on select Fall fashion from Shopbop
Save up to 40% on select dresses from Shopbop
Save up to 30% on select styles from The Drop
Save up to 40% on select Champion apparel
Save up to 30% on select Tommy Hilfiger apparel
Save up to 30% on select New Balance for the family

Beauty

Save up to 43% on Panasonic’s men’s grooming products
Save more than 35% on Waterpik Counterop Aquarius products
Save up to 55% on select oral care favorites from Crest
Save up to 50% on select Conair products
Save up to 50% on select men’s grooming favorites from Braun and Gillette
Save 20% on skin care products from brands including Aquaphor, Coppertone, Eucerin and Nivea
Save up to 40% on Premium Beauty hair and skin care appliances from top brands like BaBylissPro, ghd, Foreo, NuFace, Paul Mitchell, PMD Beauty, Rusk and T3
Save up to 40% on Premium Beauty favorites from brands including Bioderma, Elemis, HAUS Laboratories by Lady Gaga, Mustela, Oribe, Redken and Stila
Save 30% or more on Mario Badescu, Pureology, Nioxin, Philosophy, R+Co, Dermablend, Stila, BaBylisspRO, Glo Science, NuFace, PMD Beauty and many more Premium Beauty brands

Health & Personal Care

Save 50% on 23andMe Health + Ancestry Personal Genetic Service Kit
Save up to 30% on Fitbit Versa 2, Versa Lite and Aria Air
Save up to 30% on household essentials from Proctor & Gamble (P&G)
Save up to 30% on ‘on the go’ snack bars and ready to drink beverages
Save up to 20% on select products from Nature’s Bounty
Save up to 20% on nutrition & wellness favorites from brands including Garden of Life, Culturelle and Dymatize
Save up to 20% on Marpac white noise machines
Save up to 25% on home air fresheners from brands including Finish, Air Wick, Woolite and Rid-X
Save 15% on First Aid Only 299 All-Purpose First Aid Kit
Save 20% on Scott washroom essentials

Amazon Brands

Save up to 35% on coffee and espresso from Happy Belly and Solimo
Save up to 50% on Belei skin care products
Save 20% on baby essentials from Mama Bear
Save 20% on health and personal care products from Solimo
Save 20% on snacks and grocery essentials from Happy Belly
Save 20% on health and wellness products from Revly, Amazon Elements and Amazon Basic Care
Save up to 40% on AmazonBasics products including luggage and travel gear, home furnishings, and kitchen essentials

Automotive, Tools & Home Improvement

Save 50% on Tire Installation
Save 35% off on NOCO Products
Save 20% on Shell Rotella T6 Full Synthetic 5W-40 Diesel Engine Oil
Save 20% on Select Chemical Guys Kits and Microfiber Towels
Save 20% on Select Chemical Guys Kits
Save 30% on Select Camco Rhino Heavy Duty Tote Tanks
Save up to 40% on DEWALT tools
Save up to 40% on CRAFTSMAN tools
Save on Sylvania light bulbs
Save up to 15% on select Kidde smoke & carbon monoxide alarms

Lawn & Garden

Save on select Scotts lawn and garden products
Save up to 20% on select Shop Succulents live plants
Save up to 20% on select Costa Farms live plants
Save up to 20% on select Briggs & Stratton power products
Save up to 20% on select Classic Accessories patio covers
Save up to 20% on select Worx fall clean up equipment and power tools
Save up to 15% on select Worx Hydroshot pressure washer and PowerShare products
Save up to 30% on select BLACK+DECKER string and hedge trimmers

Baby

Save up to 35% on baby feeding essentials
Save up to 20% on baby bath essentials
Save 20% on 4-Star baby products
Save 20% or more on baby nursery essentials
Save up to 20% on Evenflo products

Sports & Outdoors

Save up to 30% on select Segway self-balancing electric scooters
Save up to 20% on select Speedo Swim apparel and equipment
Save up to 35% on select adidas clothing, footwear and accessories
Save up to 40% on Coleman Outdoor Essentials

Pets

Save 30% on Wellness dog & cat food and treats
Save up to 20% on Bayer K9 Advantix

Major Appliances

Save up to 15% on GE Profile Ice Maker
Save up to 20% on Midea Fridges and Freezers
Save up to 20% on Winia Compact Appliances
Save up to 15% on New Air Appliances
Save up to 20% on Broan Range Hoods
Save up to 20% on Cosmo Appliances

Grocery

Save up to 35% on select products from Orgain
Save 35% on customer favorite beverages from brands including Keurig, Crystal Light and more
Save 30% on Hershey’s Halloween candy favorites
Save up to 25% on ConAgra products
Save 30% or more on select pantry staples from Campbell’s, Izze’s, Planters, Quaker, RX Bar and more

Other Stores:

Walmart Big Save Event:

Walmart has already kicked off its Big Save 2020 event to compete against Amazon Prime Day. Walmart started matching up against Prime Day a few years back. The event started at 7 PM Eastern on Sunday, October 11th and runs through Thursday.

Hot Picks from the Walmart sale include:
Kids Bumper Car Vehicle – $149.99
19-in-1 Bread Maker – $119.99
CHO Hoverboard – $89.99
Instant Pot LUX60 6 QT – $49
Lenovo IdeaPad – $429
AirPods Pro – $199

Best Buy Early Black Friday Deals:

Best Buy has announced it will offer a two day preview of its Black Friday sale on Tuesday and Wednesday as it looks to go head to head against Amazon on televisions and other electronics. Best Buy also offers a Black Friday guarantee for My Best Buy customers. If the prices on a deal go lower before Black Friday, the customer is automatically reimbursed the difference. Some of the sales that it identified on its press release included:

Samsung 70-inch Class 4K Smart TV for only $529.99 (Save $220)
Laptops starting at $119.99
JBL Free True Wireless headphones only $69.99 (Save $80)

Target Deal Days

Target is rolling out hundreds of online-only deals for members of the Target Circle. It is the start of their holiday savings. They also intend to offer Black Friday pricing throughout the month of November and extending their price match guarantee. From Nov. 1 through Dec. 24, if you snag a great item advertised as a “Black Friday deal” and then find it for a lower price at Target or Target.com, they’ll refund the difference.

Early Deals for Deal Days include:
Up to 20% on office supplies
Up to 20% on select fall decor
Up to 25% of hot tubs & accessories
Up to 10% on laptops
Up to 30% on graphic sweatshirts
Up to 10% on home theater items
Up to 50% on musical equipment

The above early deals end on Monday, October 12th before they roll out the Deal Days savings on Tuesday.

More Sales:

Macys and Kohls are both expected to hold competing sales this week, so be sure to visit their websites for more information. If we see them announced, we will add them here.