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10 ways to avoid scams on Black Friday: official warning for shoppers to beware fraud
Consumers are being advised to be vigilant when shopping on Black Friday, and to only buy what they need to care for the environment
Shoppers are being warned to be vigilant of fraud on Black Friday, which takes place on the last Friday in November, as some retailers may raise prices before lowering them again, among other tricks.
The Directorate General for Consumer Affairs and Crafts in Murcia, Sonia Moreno, has launched a series of tips to avoid this kind of deception, as well as compulsive shopping on the biggest sales day of the year in the runup to Christmas. This official advice includes comparing quality and prices, and keeping the receipt for possible returns or complaints.
Ms Moreno also reminded consumers to be judicious when shopping and only buy what they need: “It is a day to buy what you need, being prudent and bearing in mind the environment and the principles of the circular economy: reuse, reduce and recycle.”
Shopping advice on Black Friday
- Avoid compulsive shopping;
- Compare quality and prices, both in physical establishments and on different platforms if you buy online;
- Differentiate when it is a real offer or the company has raised the original price to make the discount more attractive;
- Always keep the receipt or invoice to be able to claim if necessary;
- Remember that it is the price that should be reduced, not the quality, so the original price and the percentage or price reduction must appear;
- Warrantees are always the same, regardless of when the purchases are made;
- In the case of internet purchases, remember that the consumer has 14 days to cancel, without any type of compensation or explanation needed;
- Find out about the policy on payments, exchanges and returns;
- Avoid purchasing products from unsafe websites, and making bank transfers if you do not trust the seller;
- Don’t enter your bank details online when connected to public WiFi to prevent data theft.
All shopping establishments should have complaint forms (‘hoja de reclamación’) available for customers. In the event of any dispute, you should contact the Murcia Consumer Affairs Office (Calle Francisco Rabal, 8, Murcia).
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