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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How can shoppers ensure they are getting genuine Black Friday discounts?
## Black Friday Bargains: Are They Really Worth It?
**Interviewer:** Welcome back to the show. Today, we’re talking about Black Friday, a day synonymous with deep discounts and frenzied shopping. But with all the hype, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement and make impulsive purchases. To help us navigate the Black Friday maze and avoid potential pitfalls, we have Marina Hakiainen, head of retail banking at Citadele’s Estonian branch.
Marina, thanks for joining us.
**Marina:** Thank you for having me.
**Interviewer:** Marina, Black Friday is all about snagging amazing deals. But how can shoppers ensure they’re getting genuine discounts and not falling prey to scams?
**Marina:** That’s a great question. It’s important to remember that not every “discount” is a real deal. Some merchants might artificially inflate prices before the sales period to make the discounts appear bigger than they actually are. [[1](https://www.pcmag.com/news/common-black-friday-scams-to-watch-out-for)]
**Interviewer:** So, what advice would you give to shoppers who want to avoid these misleading discounts?
**Marina:**
* **Do your research:** Compare prices from different retailers, both online and offline, before making a purchase. Price comparison websites can be really helpful here.
* **Be wary of unfamiliar online stores:** Especially foreign ones. Check for secure payment gateways and read customer reviews carefully.
* **Read the fine print:** Pay attention to shipping costs, return policies and any conditions attached to the discounts.
* **Don’t rush:** Take your time and think carefully before making a purchase, even if it seems like an amazing deal. Remember, impulse buys can often lead to buyer’s regret.
* **Remember, a bargain is only good if you actually need the item:**
**Interviewer:** That’s sound advice, Marina. And as you mentioned, Black Friday scams are unfortunately becoming more common. What are some red flags shoppers should look out for?
**Marina:**
* **Too good to be true offers:** If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be suspicious of unbelievably low prices or promises of free products.
* **Pressure tactics:** Watch out for sellers who try to pressure you into making a quick decision.
* **Unsecure websites:** Make sure you’re shopping on a secure website. Look for the ”https” in the URL and a padlock symbol in the address bar.
* **Suspicious emails or messages:** Be careful of emails or messages from unknown senders offering Black Friday deals. These could be phishing attempts designed to steal your personal information.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Marina, for sharing these valuable tips. I’m sure our viewers will find them helpful as they navigate the Black Friday shopping frenzy. Remember folks, a little caution goes a long way in ensuring a successful and scam-free Black Friday experience.
