1. Decide what’s actually worth buying

Before browsing deals, take a closer look at your wishlist and figure out which purchases are genuinely necessary. ChatGPT can help you prioritize items based on your needs, budget, and what you already own.

Here’s my Black Friday wishlist: [list of items]. My total budget is [dollar amount], and I already own [list of items]. Ask me [number] questions about what I actually need, then rank my list into buy, consider, and skip. Explain your reasoning.

2. Check whether a discount is a real deal

A big discount doesn't always mean you're getting a bargain. Use ChatGPT to research a product's price history and compare its advertised sale price with previous discounts.

This exact model [number or product link] is advertised at [dollar amount], supposedly down from [dollar amount]. Search for documented price history and previous sale prices. Is this unusually cheap or a routine discount? Cite dated sources and say what you couldn’t verify.

3. Find the cheapest model that meets your needs

You don't always need the most expensive version of a product. Ask ChatGPT to identify the specifications that actually matter for your intended use and compare suitable alternatives.

I’m buying a [product name] for [list of specific uses], with a maximum budget of [dollar amount]. Identify my must-have specifications, then compare three suitable options. Include a cheaper or previous-generation alternative and explain what I would actually sacrifice.

4. Calculate the cost beyond the sale price

Some products come with additional expenses, including subscriptions, accessories, replacement supplies, shipping, and installation. This prompt helps you estimate how much a purchase could cost over time.

Compare the first-year and three-year costs of these products: [links]. Include required accessories, subscriptions, replacement supplies, shipping, and installation where relevant. Separate optional extras from necessities and label estimates.

5. Look for recurring problems in reviews

Before buying, research what actual owners and independent reviewers say about a product. ChatGPT can help identify recurring complaints, reliability concerns, and potential drawbacks that might not be obvious from the product listing.

Research independent reviews and owner feedback for [exact model name or product link]. Identify recurring complaints, long-term reliability concerns, and the strongest positives. Distinguish measured test results from anecdotes, cite sources, and explain who should avoid this product.

6. Check the seller, warranty, and return conditions

An unusually low price might come with conditions worth checking. Before purchasing, use ChatGPT to review the listing and identify details about the seller, product condition, warranty, and return policy.

Review this listing and its policies: [links or text]. Identify who sells and ships it, its condition, warranty coverage, return deadline, return shipping costs, restocking fees, and exclusions. Flag anything unclear that I should confirm before paying.

7. Give your final cart a "talk me out of it" audit