How to spot and avoid Black Friday scams: Common tricks and tips for safe shopping

Black Friday, the most famous global discount holiday, brings huge crowds and shopping euphoria. While many consumers see this day as an opportunity to buy products at significantly lower prices, behind slogans like “incredible discounts” and “massive sales” often hide marketing tricks and scams. In this article, we explore the most common tricks used by retailers during Black Friday and provide tips on how to protect your money.

The most common retailer tricks during Black Friday

1. Fake discounts
   Retailers often raise the prices of products just before Black Friday, only to “discount” them to original or even higher prices. This gives consumers the impression that they’ve made significant savings, even though the discount is not real. Before making a purchase, make sure to track the prices of the products you’re interested in to determine if the discount is genuine.
2. Limited stock
   Advertisements often highlight extremely low prices for popular products, but the available stock is very limited. This strategy draws customers into stores where they are then tempted to buy more expensive alternatives because the heavily discounted items are out of stock.
3. Lower quality products
   Some products are specially manufactured for Black Friday promotions and may be of lower quality than those sold throughout the year. In other words, you might end up buying something that you’ll have to replace or dispose of within a few months. Pay close attention to electronics and white goods, where models from previous years or outdated technology are often presented as “special offers.”
4. Unrealistic shipping costs
   Online retailers may offer low product prices but charge high shipping fees, which ultimately cancel out any savings. Additionally, some retailers may pressure you into purchasing more items to get free shipping. On online platforms, retailers may also change prices during the day, raising them once the product starts to attract attention. Consumers who don’t keep a close watch can easily end up paying more than they initially planned.
5. Bundle offers with no real savings
   Retailers often bundle products together to make it look like the purchase is more cost-effective, but the total price of the bundle is often the same as or even higher than the individual prices of the items. Additionally, retailers may use tricks like “Buy 1, Get 1 Free” to entice customers into buying items that are near their expiration date or of lower quality.
6. Unclear discount terms or mixed products
   Small print in advertisements reveals that discounts apply only to specific models, colors, or sizes, something that many consumers overlook. During Black Friday, stores are often crowded, and people tend to shop quickly to avoid long waits. Retailers take advantage of this reduced attention by placing non-discounted products alongside discounted ones, hoping that customers will mistakenly purchase them. If you see products marked as “from” a certain price, know that this is typically the lowest price for items that are in minimal stock, with the rest priced higher.
7. Return policy and warranty issues
   Some retailers implement different return policies or offer shorter warranties during Black Friday promotions, and consumers only learn about this after making a purchase.
8. PsychologicalpPressure
   Frustrating messages like “Only 2 items left in stock!” or “Offer expires in 10 minutes!” are often used to pressure consumers into making quick decisions without careful thought.
9. Fake reviews
   During Black Friday, some retailers may use fake or paid reviews to make products seem more attractive, especially those that wouldn’t normally attract much attention.

How to protect yourself

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• Check prices beforehand: To determine if the discount is real, track the prices of products in advance.
• Use price tracking tools: Consider using price tracking websites or apps to monitor historical price changes.
• Read reviews on independent platforms: Verify product reviews on third-party websites to avoid relying on potentially manipulated reviews.
• Avoid impulse purchases: Take your time and carefully read all terms and conditions before making a payment.
• Focus on trusted sellers and brands: Stick to well-known retailers and reputable brands to minimize the risk of scams.

By staying alert and informed, you can ensure that your Black Friday shopping is both safe and truly beneficial.