Black Friday is not the only time of year when a “good deal” can be genuine. Between major shopping events, real bargains exist all year round — provided you know where to look. This guide focuses on reliable sources of good deals in 2026, outside peak promotion periods.

To spot artificially inflated promotions (manipulated “was” prices, fake countdowns), our Black Friday anti-scam guide explains the signs to look for — they apply all year round, not just in November.

Black Friday is not the only time for a genuine good deal

Many people wait for Black Friday or the winter sales to buy, believing it is the only time prices really fall. In reality, the year’s best deals are often scattered throughout the calendar: the end of a product line when a model is replaced by a new version, clearance by a retailer freeing up warehouse space, or a one-off flash sale unrelated to any well-known shopping event.

The 3 most reliable sources of good deals

  • Official sales (January and July in France): governed by law, these are the most verifiable discounts — the period and the rules for displaying the reference price are regulated, unlike permanent “promotions”.
  • End-of-line clearance: when a model is replaced by a new generation, the old one can fall sharply and permanently, not just for 48 hours. It is often the best genuine deal on a product that is still perfectly good.
  • Flash sales from an identified and verified retailer: more reliable than an anonymous post on social media, provided you check the price at the time of purchase instead of trusting the percentage announced in the headline.

Is a good deal found elsewhere still valid when you click?

A deal shared on a forum, group or story may already be several hours old. Stock may be sold out, the price may have risen again, or the offer’s terms may have changed (delivery, warranty). The only reliable way to know whether the offer still stands is to compare the price displayed right now with what other retailers offer at the same time, rather than relying on the original post.

That is exactly what Picksly does automatically: on an Amazon or eBay product page, the extension compares in real time with the available alternatives for your profile (Budget, Smart or Premium), without having to open ten tabs to check whether the offer is still current.

FAQ

Where can you find good deals outside Black Friday?

Official sales in January and July, end-of-line clearance on products replaced by a new generation, and flash sales from identified retailers are the three most reliable sources all year round.

Is a good deal posted a few hours ago still valid?

Not necessarily — stock, price or terms may have changed. Always check the price when you click, instead of relying on the percentage announced in the original post.

How can you quickly check whether an offer is still the best available?

By comparing the displayed price with other retailers at the same moment. An automatic comparison tool such as Picksly performs this check in real time, directly on the product page.

---

Picksly earns money through affiliate commissions, at no extra cost to you.