Black Friday is the new consumerist craze that has come straight from the United States. It is an extraordinary sale day during which the discounts are mind-blowing! It is the day to find great deals, there is no doubt about it. But be careful, stay vigilant!
A tradition that has become a global phenomenon
Initially, this new American trend, as its name indicates, lasted only one day, specifically the last Friday of November. But for the past two years, this event has gone global and is taking on incredible proportions! We’ve moved from the simple Black Friday to Black Week. From a single day to a whole week. It’s the law of business, when a formula works, it’s exploited to the maximum until it’s worn out. Initially, this tradition marked the start of the Christmas shopping period in the United States. Today, it’s an event in its own right, akin to Christmas. But beware of the flip side of the coin. Behind all these great deals, there are more and more bad surprises, and sometimes even scams. It is important to be cautious before pulling out your credit card.
5 Tips for Smart Shopping on Black Friday
Prepare the ground
Sometimes, unscrupulous merchants raise product prices during the sale period to be able to offer bigger discounts. To avoid getting duped, do a little reconnaissance a few days in advance. Moreover, if you notice such practices, do not hesitate to report them to the relevant authorities as it is a fraud. To help you, you can also rely on online price comparison tools. They will give you a clear trend on the prices for the same product.
Be observant
On the big day, carefully check the labels of the products you want to buy. You should normally be able to see the initial price of the discounted product. If this isn’t the case, there may be a fraudulent attempt by the retailer. If you choose to shop online, prioritize well-known brands like Prix.net to avoid unpleasant surprises. Many scammers use marketplaces for fake deals. Some websites spring up just for the occasion to sell products and offers that don’t exist. Be cautious and take the time to verify the legal information on the website in question. Then, make sure to read the terms and small print related to these offers. Sometimes, they may be subject to conditions on the total purchase amount or the presence of an after-sales service. For online purchases, it is also wise to check that the delivery fees align with your order. Some merchants offset the price reduction by increasing the delivery cost. There’s also an official list designed by French authorities to watch out for various online scams related to Black Friday.
Buy only what you need!
Getting a good deal and making a useful purchase is a good thing and should remain the goal of your day. To prepare well, make a list of what you truly need! Without this, you risk multiplying unnecessary purchases just because you’ve succumbed to an absurd discount. And even if you come across an incredible offer, take the time to ask yourself: “Do I need this?!”
Study customer reviews before deciding
Don’t be fooled: the more discounted a product is, the more likely it is a product the manufacturer is trying to dispose of. That’s the primary purpose of such an operation: to clear unsold stock. So, take the time to study customer reviews online before deciding. Buying a poor-quality product, even at a very low price, could turn out to be a very bad deal in the long run.
Be clear-headed
Be cautious; sometimes behind a very (too) tempting offer, there might be an unintentional error from the merchant. If that’s the case, the merchant might be authorized not to honor their order. So, if you discover an offer too good to be true, report it to the merchant to verify its authenticity. Last year, Leclerc stores listed a PS4 for 30 euros… but it was a mistake on their part! Black Friday is a great opportunity to find good deals. But keep a cool head and don’t get hypnotized by overly persuasive advertisements. Finally, even though the internet plays an increasingly important role in global commerce every year, don’t forget your local shops. It’s also an opportunity to support the local economy of Nice, so visit your neighborhood stores!
