On Black Friday, shoppers rush to grab attractive discounts, but it is often overlooked whether the purchase is actually useful or only seemingly favorable. Fortunately, there are also some simple ways to help consumers shop smarter and avoid fraudulent offers.
“Especially in the case of foreign online stores, it’s worth paying attention to fraudulent offers. In general, Estonian merchants are more honest in this regard, but here too you can be deceived. Moreover, online scammers are already quite skilled at impersonating web pages in Estonian,” said Marina Hakiainen, head of retail banking at Citadele’s Estonian branch. He explained that sometimes a discount may not really be a discount. Some merchants raise their prices before the discount period to create the impression of artificially large discounts.
“Here, it would be wise to use different price comparison platforms that show what prices are in different stores and often also show the history of prices. In the field of home electronics, computers and mobile phones, a good example is the domestic portal hinnavaatlus.ee, but there are other such portals. For example, there is a page called CamelCamelCamel to compare the prices of Amazon goods,” Hakiainen said.
Big discounts mostly rely on impulse buys. “The offer may be a discount, but is it really necessary for you? The most reasonable thing is to make a shopping list for yourself before the campaigns start. If the item is not included in that list, you could cold-heartedly not make the purchase,” said Hakiainen. It also helps to avoid impulse purchases if you set a specific budget in advance and understand what pushes you to make unexpected purchases. “We tend to make more impulse purchases when we are sad, stressed or feeling other strong emotions. At that time, it is worthwhile to consciously limit your purchases,” said Hakiainen.
It is definitely worth following the store’s return rules and delivery fees during big campaigns. In the rush of shopping, these small details can be overlooked, but in the end, make a bargain item look as expensive as it usually is. “If possible, you could also use a payment method that guarantees insurance for your purchases. This is offered, for example, by Citadele bank, bank cards, while the card does not have to have a credit limit. Insurances are often only included with credit cards from different banks. Purchase insurance protects the purchased item against theft, damage, destruction or non-delivery,” Hakiainen said.
2024-11-27 08:58:00
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What tips are there for identifying deals that are genuinely good value on Black Friday?
## Black Friday Bargain Hunting: Tips for Staying Safe and Savvy
**Host:** Welcome back! Today we’re talking about Black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year. It’s a time for incredible deals, but also a time when shoppers need to be extra careful. Joining us today is Marina Hakiainen, Head of Retail Banking at Citadele’s Estonian branch, with tips on staying safe and savvy during this shopping frenzy.
**Marina:** Thanks for having me! It’s great to be here. While Black Friday offers fantastic opportunities to grab some amazing bargains, it’s crucial to remember that not all deals are created equal.
**Host:** Absolutely! What are some of the biggest things people should watch out for?
**Marina:** One common tactic, especially with online stores, is fraudulent offers. [[1](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/how-to-avoid-online-holiday-shopping-scams/)] Scammers might impersonate legitimate websites, so always double-check the URL thoroughly.
**Host:** That’s a great point. What about deals that seem too good to be true?
**Marina:** Yes, that’s another red flag. Sometimes retailers artificially inflate prices before a sale to make discounts seem bigger than they are. I recommend using price comparison websites to verify whether something is truly a good deal.
**Host:** Excellent advice! Any other tips for staying safe and savvy during Black Friday?
**Marina:** Definitely. Stick to reputable retailers, be cautious of unsolicited emails or messages, and always protect your personal information. Remember, it’s better to miss out on a deal than fall victim to a scam.
**Host:**
Excellent reminder. Thank you for sharing your insights, Marina. Now, viewers, remember to shop smart and stay safe this Black Friday!