Shoppers are being urged to watch out for misleading discounts, online scams and impulse purchases during major sales events such as Black Friday, when aggressive advertising and the promise of bargains can lead to unnecessary spending.
The excitement of finding lower prices, combined with pressure from promotional campaigns, can encourage consumers to buy products they do not actually need.
Planning ahead is one of the most effective ways to avoid overspending. Shoppers should make a list of items they genuinely need, compare prices across retailers and set a clear spending limit before the sales begin.
This can help prevent purchases that exceed their available budget.
Check whether discounts are genuine
Consumers should be particularly cautious about misleading price reductions.
Checking how much a product cost in the days leading up to Black Friday can help establish whether an advertised discount represents a genuine saving or whether the original price was increased before the sale.
Shoppers should also be wary of offers accompanied by urgent messages such as “only 10 minutes left” or “last few items”.
These tactics can create pressure to make quick decisions, encouraging consumers to buy without properly considering whether the product is needed or represents good value.
Rather than purchasing something simply out of fear of missing a deal, shoppers are advised to take time to research their options.
Protect personal and banking information
Online shopping also requires particular care when it comes to protecting personal and financial information.
Consumers should check the websites they use before making purchases, avoid suspicious links and never share one-time security codes used to authorise online transactions.
Those choosing to pay in instalments should check the total amount they will eventually pay, rather than focusing solely on the monthly payment.
Read return policies before buying
Return and exchange policies are another important consideration, particularly during major sales periods.
Some retailers may apply special or different conditions to certain discounted products.
Consumers should therefore read the terms carefully before completing a purchase, even when buying from shops they have used before.
