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| Five ways to avoid being ripped off on Black Friday | Five ways to avoid being ripped off on Black Friday |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| The Black Friday sales are already in full swing and it can be easy to get swept up in the shopping frenzy and end up out of pocket - instead of bagging a bargain. | The Black Friday sales are already in full swing and it can be easy to get swept up in the shopping frenzy and end up out of pocket - instead of bagging a bargain. |
| The vast majority of Black Friday offers are cheaper or the same price at other times of the year, consumer group Which? has warned. | The vast majority of Black Friday offers are cheaper or the same price at other times of the year, consumer group Which? has warned. |
| We've spoken to some experts who have shared tips on how to shop Black Friday without being ripped off. | We've spoken to some experts who have shared tips on how to shop Black Friday without being ripped off. |
| Make a list and stick to it | Make a list and stick to it |
| "It's only a deal if it’s something you genuinely wanted or needed before seeing the discount," said Sarah Johnson, director of merchandise consultancy Flourish Retail. | "It's only a deal if it’s something you genuinely wanted or needed before seeing the discount," said Sarah Johnson, director of merchandise consultancy Flourish Retail. |
| She recommends making a list and budget to stick to in order to avoid impulse buys. | She recommends making a list and budget to stick to in order to avoid impulse buys. |
| "Make the deals work for you by using Black Friday to save on products you already planned to buy," she said. | "Make the deals work for you by using Black Friday to save on products you already planned to buy," she said. |
| "If you stick to your list and stay within your budget, you’ll maximise your savings without unnecessary splurges." | "If you stick to your list and stay within your budget, you’ll maximise your savings without unnecessary splurges." |
| Compare historic prices | Compare historic prices |
| “When looking to make a purchase, it's worth comparing the price at multiple retailers," said Harry Rose, editor of Which? Magazine. | “When looking to make a purchase, it's worth comparing the price at multiple retailers," said Harry Rose, editor of Which? Magazine. |
| He also recommended using websites that allow you to check a product’s price history over the previous 12 months. | He also recommended using websites that allow you to check a product’s price history over the previous 12 months. |
| "That way you’ll know a good deal when you see one," he said. | "That way you’ll know a good deal when you see one," he said. |
| Which? investigated deals on 227 products at eight of the biggest home and tech retailers in the UK in last year’s Black Friday "fortnight" between 20 November and 1 December. | Which? investigated deals on 227 products at eight of the biggest home and tech retailers in the UK in last year’s Black Friday "fortnight" between 20 November and 1 December. |
| Its research suggested nine in 10 of the deals analysed were the same price or cheaper at other times of the year. | Its research suggested nine in 10 of the deals analysed were the same price or cheaper at other times of the year. |
| Mr Rose said you should not feel "pressured to splash out on Black Friday purchases as those deals are usually repeated - if not beaten - at other times of the year." | Mr Rose said you should not feel "pressured to splash out on Black Friday purchases as those deals are usually repeated - if not beaten - at other times of the year." |
| Search for second-hand | Search for second-hand |
| Influencer Vivien Tang says it's easy to find new items on resale sites | Influencer Vivien Tang says it's easy to find new items on resale sites |
| If you spot something you want to buy in the Black Friday sale, search for it on a second-hand platform where you might find it even cheaper, says resale influencer, Jess. | If you spot something you want to buy in the Black Friday sale, search for it on a second-hand platform where you might find it even cheaper, says resale influencer, Jess. |
| Many resale platforms give you the option of offering a price that matches your budget, she said. | Many resale platforms give you the option of offering a price that matches your budget, she said. |
| "If you make an offer and it’s reasonable most sellers will accept," she said. "So not only are you likely to get a good deal in the first place because it’s not new from a shop but you can offer a lower price." | "If you make an offer and it’s reasonable most sellers will accept," she said. "So not only are you likely to get a good deal in the first place because it’s not new from a shop but you can offer a lower price." |
| Vintage clothing influencer Vivien Tang also buys and sells on resale websites. | Vintage clothing influencer Vivien Tang also buys and sells on resale websites. |
| "I think it is very easy to find almost new or brand new items on second-hand platforms," she said. "The condition option on listings is now compulsory so it makes it easier to filter for newer items." | "I think it is very easy to find almost new or brand new items on second-hand platforms," she said. "The condition option on listings is now compulsory so it makes it easier to filter for newer items." |
| If you're using the Black Friday sale to buy Christmas presents you should not rule out buying second hand, according to a new report. | If you're using the Black Friday sale to buy Christmas presents you should not rule out buying second hand, according to a new report. |
| Some 63% of people would be comfortable receiving second-hand Christmas gifts and a further 26% felt neutral about the idea, according to a survey by research consultancy Retail Economics for second-hand marketplace Vinted. | Some 63% of people would be comfortable receiving second-hand Christmas gifts and a further 26% felt neutral about the idea, according to a survey by research consultancy Retail Economics for second-hand marketplace Vinted. |
| Beware of debt | |
| Many people will use a credit card, or may dip into their overdraft, when buying what they consider bargain items on Black Friday. | Many people will use a credit card, or may dip into their overdraft, when buying what they consider bargain items on Black Friday. |
| But if you end up paying interest, this could outstrip any saving made on the Black Friday promotion. | But if you end up paying interest, this could outstrip any saving made on the Black Friday promotion. |
| Using a typical credit card to make a £300 purchase, then paying back at £20 a month would take more than a year to pay off and mean having to pay £55 in interest, according to the financial information service Moneyfacts. | Using a typical credit card to make a £300 purchase, then paying back at £20 a month would take more than a year to pay off and mean having to pay £55 in interest, according to the financial information service Moneyfacts. |
| Using an overdraft would usually lead to an even bigger interest bill. | Using an overdraft would usually lead to an even bigger interest bill. |
| A credit card offers more protection when buying something over £100, so there is greater chance of a refund if something goes wrong. | A credit card offers more protection when buying something over £100, so there is greater chance of a refund if something goes wrong. |
| Financial experts say paying off a credit card immediately, perhaps from savings, before any interest is accrued, is the safest option. | Financial experts say paying off a credit card immediately, perhaps from savings, before any interest is accrued, is the safest option. |
| Check for scams | Check for scams |
| Criminals use the hype around Black Friday to try to steal from online shoppers. | Criminals use the hype around Black Friday to try to steal from online shoppers. |
| Purchase scams are when someone is tricked into sending money via a bank transfer to buy something - often advertised online or via social media - that doesn't exist. | Purchase scams are when someone is tricked into sending money via a bank transfer to buy something - often advertised online or via social media - that doesn't exist. |
| The number of purchase scams soared by 29% around Black Friday and Cyber Monday last year, according to analysis by Lloyds Bank. | The number of purchase scams soared by 29% around Black Friday and Cyber Monday last year, according to analysis by Lloyds Bank. |
| The bank's fraud prevention director, Liz Ziegler, said: "When shopping online, the best way stay safe is to buy from a trusted retailer, and always pay by card for the greatest protection. If you’re unable to do those things, that should be a big red flag that you’re about to get scammed." | The bank's fraud prevention director, Liz Ziegler, said: "When shopping online, the best way stay safe is to buy from a trusted retailer, and always pay by card for the greatest protection. If you’re unable to do those things, that should be a big red flag that you’re about to get scammed." |
| You should be wary of fake websites and check the web address belongs to the official brand before you enter any financial or personal information, according to Which?. | You should be wary of fake websites and check the web address belongs to the official brand before you enter any financial or personal information, according to Which?. |
| Beware of posts from a newly-created social media accounts, or links to a recently-created website. You can use verified domain checkers to confirm when a website was created, Which? said. | Beware of posts from a newly-created social media accounts, or links to a recently-created website. You can use verified domain checkers to confirm when a website was created, Which? said. |
| It warned against buying at "too good to be true" prices because if something seems too good to be true, it likely is. | It warned against buying at "too good to be true" prices because if something seems too good to be true, it likely is. |