The cost of living crisis has meant that this Black Friday – the biggest retail sales day of the year – may be somewhat of an afterthought.
For many of us, we need to use our money wisely this year, and that might mean avoiding the Black Friday hype altogether. But if you are hoping to spot a bargain, it’s more important than ever to make sure you avoid being ripped off.
Below are some tips for avoiding fake deals and scams this Black Friday weekend.
Only buy from reputable sellers
Amazon is the world’s largest online retailer, and it offers a wide variety of products at very competitive prices. However, Amazon is also home to a number of fake deals and counterfeit items.
In order to protect yourself from these scams, it is important to only buy from reputable sellers. Amazon does have a buyer protection policy in place, but it only covers items that are sold and fulfilled by Amazon.
If you buy an item from a third-party seller, you will not be covered by this policy. As a result, you could end up losing a lot of money if you’re not careful.
So, when shopping on Amazon or another online retailer, be sure to check the seller’s feedback rating and only buy from sellers that you trust.
Don’t share your personal information with anyone you don’t trust
Personal information is any information that can be used to identify you as an individual. This includes things like your name, address, date of birth, and phone number. It also includes more sensitive information like your financial information or your health history.
It’s important to be careful about who you share your personal information with this Black Friday. You should only share it with people who you trust to keep it safe, and who you have a good reason to share it with.
For example, you might need to share your address with your doctor or your financial information with your accountant. But you wouldn’t need to share any of this information with a seller online, or someone sending text messages from a number you don’t recognise.
Online scams are on the rise, and Black Friday offers a perfect opportunity for fraudsters. No legitimate brand or retailer would ask for sensitive information by text or email. In general, it’s best to err on the side of caution and keep your personal information to yourself.
Pay with a credit card to get extra protection
Credit card protection is a type of insurance that covers your purchases in the event that something goes wrong. For example, if you buy a new television and it arrives damaged, you can file a claim with your credit card company to get a refund.
Credit card protection can also cover you if you need to cancel a purchase or return an item. Some credit card companies even offer extended warranties on items purchased with their cards.
In general, credit card protection is a valuable perk that can save you money and hassle if something goes wrong with a Black Friday purchase. However, it’s important to read the fine print before using this benefit, as there are often limits on the amount of coverage and what types of purchases are eligible.
Check the price history of products
Price history is an important factor to consider when shopping for items on sale, especially during Black Friday sales. Price history refers to the changes in an item’s price over time across multiple websites.
By checking the price history of an item, you can get a better sense of how much the item is actually worth and whether the sale price is a good deal. There are a few different ways to check the price history of an item.
One way is to use a Price History Extension, which is a browser extension that tracks the prices of products across multiple websites. Another way is to manually research the prices of products on different websites.
Whichever method you choose, checking the price history of an item before making a purchase can help you save money and avoid getting scammed.
Always keep your receipts in case a product doesn’t live up to the hype
It might sound old-school, but any time you make a purchase, whether it’s online or in-store, you should always keep your receipt.
Receipts are not only proof that you made the purchase, but they also typically have the store’s return policy printed on them. This comes in handy if you end up not liking the product or it doesn’t meet your expectations.
Most stores will allow you to return an item within a certain timeframe as long as you have the receipt. However, there are some exceptions, such as with Black Friday sales. Many stores have a no-returns policy for items purchased during Black Friday sales, so be sure to check the return policy before making any final purchases.
Receipts may seem like unnecessary clutter, but they can actually be quite useful. So next time you make a purchase, be sure to hold on to that little slip of paper.
Stay vigilant this Black Friday weekend
While it’s important to be aware of the many scams out there, with a bit of caution and common sense you can protect yourself from being ripped off by Black Friday deals.
The best way to stay safe is to only buy from reputable sellers, never share your personal information with anyone you don’t trust, and always pay with a credit card so that you have some extra protection if something goes wrong.
Additionally, it’s important to be aware of which brands and retailers you’re purchasing from, and avoid any that seem suspicious.
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