BLACK FRIDAY MYTHS

Is Black Friday a waste of time? It's possible, according to the editor of DealNews.com, who says you can get amazing deals throughout the month of November. Here are five myths about Black Friday 2012:

1. Black Friday sales start the day after Thanksgiving. Nope -- many online deals kick in on Thanksgiving Day. It's not unusual for many items to sell out even before Black Friday hits.

2. Shopping on Black Friday is no different from shopping any other day of the year. Black Friday is chaotic and it requires a strategy before setting foot in the store. Without goals, you'll make impulse buys on items that may not deals at all.

3. There's no need to go to the brick-and-mortar stores on Black Friday. Most Black Friday deals are available online but some are in-store offers only. "Door Buster" deals are in-store only.

4. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the only major shopping days of the year. Black Friday is the biggest day for retailers, followed by the Saturday before Christmas. Green Monday, the Monday after Cyber Monday, is slowly becoming a top shopping day, too.

5. Black Friday offers the best specials... period. Not true. Toys are cheaper starting on Cyber Monday and winter clothing is less expensive in January. Holiday decor is cheaper closer to Christmas, along with brand-name electronic items. The very best deals on HDTVs show up just before the Super Bowl.

(Interprep)