Black Friday Hints & Tips

Posted on adminPosted in Security, Shopping

What is Black Friday?

In America, following Thanksgiving retailers have promotions, sales, and discounts. It is widely regarded as the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. In the UK, Black Friday is on 27th November 2020. Many retailers promote savings and offers up to two weeks before this date.

What is Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday is an online-only version of Black Friday and occurs on the Monday after Black Friday (30th November 2020).

Safety First

Regardless of the deals on offer, you should always consider the following in relation to online shopping:

  • Familiar websites – Stick to websites you are familiar with. Be wary of little known or unusual looking websites
  • Complex passwords – If / when you register with a site, use a complex password. Examples including 12345 or p4ssword should not be used. Use a passphrase e.g. chocolatemunchingbunny 😊. Passphrases are much harder to crack. Consider using a password manager (more details on password managers here: https://uk.pcmag.com/password-managers/4296/the-best-password-managers)
  • If a deal is too good to be true… it usually is. Nobody will sell you a sim-only iPhone 12 for £400. If the price looks fantastically good then beware. Do your research.
  • Secure checkouts only – Only purchase online from websites using a secure checkout process. In the address bar in your browser, a padlock should be visible during the checkout process and the address should have https:// at the beginning
  • Provide Minimum Information – Only provide the information required to complete the sale. No need to enter all your phone numbers, email addresses etc. Ensure the correct boxes are ticked (or not ticked) concerning the marketing correspondence you may end up receiving
  • Use a Credit Card – You’ll get better protection if you pay for your Black Friday items with a credit card (for purchases between £100 – £30,000)
  • Credit Card Alerts – Set up credit card alerts on your account. These can notify you of large transactions, high balance etc. Useful to ensure your card is not being used without your knowledge

Hints & Tips

There are many ways to help make your Black Friday shopping experience less stressful, more fruitful, and possibly even cheaper!

Sign Up Early

If you are not registered with the major retailers then register a few days before you intend to shop. Having an account already set up will speed up the checkout process. If you are registered, can you remember your password? If not, request a reset/new password and consider a password manager (see safety tips above).

Create a Wishlist

Create a wish list of the items you are interested in buying. Do not buy because something looks cheap. Do you really need it? Would the money be better spent elsewhere?

Price Matters

Look at the price of the item you want to buy not the saving. What are you prepared to pay for the item? The savings displayed can be misleading. Use price comparison sites and apps to check you really are saving money (see below).

Compare Prices

Compare the same item with different retailers. Do they offer the same or better deal? Or do they price match or have better warranty terms? Check the price history – is the item cheaper now than three months ago? Use price comparison sites and apps to compare retailers:

Check Offer

Read and re-read any notes or explanation of the sale offer. Is the item included? Are there any conditions you should be aware of?

Product Reviews

Always research the product you wish to buy. Product reviews will give an indication of how good a product is for value, quality, and where it sits within the range of products available.

Tech Tip

Will that new gadget you intend to buy be out of date tomorrow? Will it continue to receive updates? Do they still manufacture it? Ongoing support for your gadgets is important.

All About The Brand

The item is a great price but it’s an unknown brand. Research the brand. Confirm their products are reliable, of good quality, and that they offer the levels of customer support you would expect.

Shopping In-Store

Use the price comparison apps (see above) while in the store to double-check if the price on the shelf really is a good offer.

Delivery & Returns

  • Pick Up or Collection – Does the retailer allow you to buy online and pick the item up later? If so, you can save on delivery costs and pick the item up in-store once the Black Friday rush is over
  • Returns Policy – Check the retailer policy on returns of Black Friday items for exchange or refund – most shops do have one but it is not required by law
  • On-Line Returns Policy – If purchased online you have 14 days to return for a full refund even if the item is not faulty
  • Faulty Items – If the item is faulty you have 30 days to reject it and get your money back
  • Problems with Delivery – The retailer should follow up with the delivery firm, not you. It is their responsibility to ensure the goods are delivered successfully and in full undamaged working order

For any support, help, advice, configuration, setup, or issue resolution regarding your Black Friday or Cyber Monday tech purchases visit www.darleydigital.co.uk, email info@darleydigital.co.uk or call the numbers below.

This article was originally published in November 2018 and has been updated (November 2019, November 2020) to reflect the latest news, Black Friday dates, and web links (listed below).

Further information relating to this article:

Best Black Friday deals 2020: Early offers from Amazon, Debenhams, and Very
https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/black-friday/black-friday-2019-best-deals-uk-date-guide-tips-amazon-a9174226.html

Black Friday 2020: How to stay safe while shopping online and on the high street
https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/13013470/black-friday-2020-uk-stay-safe/

Black Friday shopping? Here’s how to stay safe
https://uk.norton.com/internetsecurity-how-to-black-friday-shopping-heres-how-to-stay-safe.html

Delivery rights
https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/l/delivery-rights

Your Rights On Black Friday Deals
https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/black-friday/article/black-friday-deals/your-rights-on-black-friday-deals

Top 15 shopping tips for Black Friday deals
https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/black-friday/article/black-friday-deals/top-15-shopping-tips-for-black-friday-deals

The Best Password Managers of 2020
https://uk.pcmag.com/password-managers/4296/the-best-password-managers

Credit card and debit card protection explained
https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/how-youre-protected-when-you-pay-by-card