It’s a fair question. Between Costco’s seasonal markdowns, Best Buy’s flash sales, and Amazon’s endless “early deals,” figuring out when to strike can be tricky.
A recent Reddit thread in r/Costco tackled the question head-on — and Canadians shared some surprisingly practical advice that cuts through the marketing noise.
💸 The Myth of “Black Friday” TVs
One Redditor kicked off the debate by claiming that Black Friday TVs are “made cheaper” for those specific sales. It’s an old rumour — and while it was true years ago for some budget models, other commenters quickly pointed out that Costco doesn’t sell downgraded “Black Friday” versions.
Big-box stores like Costco, Best Buy, and Walmart negotiate TV pricing every few weeks. Instead of selling “special Black Friday models,” they work directly with brands like LG, Samsung, and Sony to drop prices temporarily on existing stock.
Translation: If you’re buying from Costco, you’re getting the real deal — not a stripped-down “doorbuster” model.
📆 Timing Still Matters
So should you wait?
That depends on your budget, patience, and what you’re buying.
Several Reddit users noted that OLED prices have been falling steadily all year, especially as new 2025 models begin to hit the shelves. The longer you wait, the cheaper current-generation OLEDs and QLEDs are likely to become.
One Costco shopper compared prices from the Super Bowl season and noticed they were almost identical to what’s on sale now. Another advised taking a photo of the current price tag — that way, if the “Black Friday deal” turns out to be the same price repackaged as a promotion, you’ll know it.
🛒 Don’t Forget About Prime Day and Competing Sales
A few tech-savvy Canadians also reminded shoppers that Amazon’s Prime Day (and now Prime Big Deal Days in October) often kickstarts a wave of price matching from Costco, Best Buy, and even Walmart.
If you need a TV before the holidays — or your old one is starting to fade — these early fall sales might already give you Black Friday-level discounts without the November chaos.
🔍 The Costco Advantage
There’s also the Costco factor to consider.
Even if you buy now and prices dip later, Costco’s price adjustment policy often lets you claim the difference within 30 days. Plus, the extended warranty that comes with their TVs (two years with Costco Concierge, plus up to five with the Costco Mastercard) makes waiting less critical — you’re protected either way.
In other words, you can buy early with confidence and still benefit from future markdowns.
☕ Live the North Takeaway
If you find a great price now on the TV you want — especially an OLED or QLED from a trusted brand — don’t stress about waiting. The difference between today’s sale and Black Friday might be a few dollars, not hundreds.
But if you’re flexible on size or model, and your old TV still works fine, waiting until late November could open up more variety and bundle options.
Either way, keep these tips in mind:
- ✅ Track prices on your favourite models now (screenshot or photo).
- 🔄 Watch Prime Day deals — many stores match them.
- 🛡️ Shop where returns and price protection are easy (Costco wins here).
- 💰 Buy based on need, not hype.
Because whether it’s October or Black Friday, the best deal is the one that gets your family gathered around a great picture — not staring at a “Sold Out” screen.
