It's that time of year when shoppers up and down the country begin to think about what to get friends and family for Christmas. This year with rising costs squeezing our finances, many of us are searching for a bargain. Good news then that Black Friday is around the corner with bargains galore... right?
Not necessarily!
Black Friday is promoted by many retailers as being the big shopping event of the year; a sort of 'buy now or miss out' moment where you must get in quick or miss out. Millions of shoppers rely on it to pick up Christmas gifts, however many can end up disappointed as the deals turn out to not be as good as they had been led to believe.
That's why we've pulled together our top 5 tips for savvy online shopping this Black Friday...
- It may not always be a real discount
Not all Black Friday price reductions are genuine. Some businesses may advertise false discounts to make it feel like you are getting a bargain. Be on your guard and don't take the advertised price cut at face value. Shop around, check at least 2 other sites - you may find the same item for a similar price or less elsewhere.
- Use price tracking tools
Black Friday is marketed as a big annual event where prices come down for a short period. But do prices really differ that much from the rest of the year? A price tracking tool will allow you to check what price the item you are looking at has previously been sold for, so you can decide whether you should buy now or if you can wait.
- Check the small print
This is particularly important when purchasing holiday getaways or other experiences. Excursions and experiences are popular Christmas gifts but check the terms and conditions of any deal, so you know what you are buying. Be on the lookout for exclusions! It may be that the deal is cheap on Black Friday for a reason; you don't want to book a nice getaway only to find you are limited on where, when, or how you can go.
- Don't be rushed into buying
With all the pressure selling tactics used on some websites during the Black Friday period it's easy to be rushed into the wrong decision for fear of missing out. If you are unsure about a purchase, consider speaking with friends or family before clicking buy...they may be able to offer some impartial advice.
- Don't be disappointed if you miss out
Finally, remember...it's just another sale. While it is marketed to feel like a huge event, the reality is that Black Friday is just another sale, among a growing number of sales that occur year-around. So don't feel too disappointed if you miss out... the January sales and Spring sales are just around the corner.
Find out more by visiting our Rip Off Tip Off website.