Five ways to avoid being ripped off | Global News Avenue

With the Black Friday sales already in full swing, it’s easy to get caught up in a shopping frenzy and end up losing money – rather than getting a bargain.

The vast majority of Black Friday deals are cheaper or the same as other times of the year, consumer group Which? Warned.

We spoke to some experts who shared their tips on how to shop on Black Friday without getting ripped off.

“It’s only a deal if you really want or need something before you see the discount,” said Sarah Johnson, director at merchandise consultancy Flourish Retail.

She recommends making a list and a budget to stick to to avoid impulse purchases.

“Use Black Friday to save on products you’re already planning to buy and make these deals work in your favor,” she says.

“If you stick to your list and stay within your budget, you’ll maximize your savings without unnecessary splurges.”

“When looking to buy, it’s worth comparing prices across multiple retailers,” says Harry Rose, editor of Which? magazine.

He also recommends using a website that lets you view a product’s price history over the past 12 months.

“That way, when you see a person, you know a lot,” he said.

Which? Eight of the UK’s largest home and technology retailers surveyed deals on 227 products during the Black Friday “fortnight” from November 20 to December 1 last year.

The firm’s research shows that nine out of 10 of the deals analyzed were priced at the same or cheaper than at other times of the year.

Mr Ross said you shouldn’t feel “pressured to shop on Black Friday as these deals are often repeated – if not beaten – at other times of the year.”

Resale influencer Jess says if you find something you want to buy during the Black Friday sales, search for it on second-hand platforms, where you might find it even cheaper.

Many resale platforms give you the option to offer a price that fits your budget, she says.

“If you make a reasonable offer, most sellers will accept it,” she said. “So not only are you likely to get a good deal right out of the gate because it’s not a new product in the store, but you can offer a lower price.”

Vintage clothing influencer Vivien Tang also buys and sells on resale sites.

“I think it’s easy to find nearly new or brand-new items on second-hand platforms,” she said. “The criteria option in the list is now mandatory, making it easier to filter newer items.”

If you’re taking advantage of Black Friday sales to buy Christmas gifts, you shouldn’t rule out buying second-hand, according to a new report.

A survey conducted by research consultancy Retail Economics on the second-hand market Vinted showed that about 63% of people are willing to accept second-hand Christmas gifts, while another 26% are neutral on the idea.

Many people use their credit cards when buying what they think are bargains on Black Friday, or may go into overdrafts.

But if you end up paying interest, that could outweigh the savings from the Black Friday sale.

According to financial information service Moneyfacts, a £300 purchase using a regular credit card, followed by monthly repayments of £20, would take more than a year to pay off and mean having to pay £55 in interest.

Using an overdraft usually results in a larger interest expense.

Credit cards offer more protection when making purchases over £100, so there’s a greater chance of a refund if something goes wrong.

Financial experts say paying off your credit cards immediately (perhaps with savings) before any interest accrues is the safest option.

Criminals take advantage of the hype surrounding Black Friday to try to steal from online shoppers.

A purchase scam is when someone is tricked into sending money via bank transfer to buy something that doesn’t exist (usually advertised online or on social media).

The number of shopping scams jumped 29% around Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday last year, according to analysis by Lloyds Bank.

Liz Ziegler, the bank’s head of fraud prevention, said: “The best way to stay safe when shopping online is to buy from a trusted retailer and always pay by card for maximum protection. If you’re unable to do these things, That should be a big red flag that you’re about to be scammed.”

According to Which?, you should be wary of fake websites and check whether the URL belongs to an official brand before entering any financial or personal information.

Be wary of posts from newly created social media accounts or links from recently created websites. You can use a verified domain checker to confirm when your website was created, Which? explain.

It warns against buying at a price that is “too good to be true” because if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.