Surviving Black Friday shopping weekend with expert tips to know if you’re actually getting a deal

Shoppers are bursting with anticipation for the possible bargains they might find after months of saving up for one of the largest shopping occasions of the year.

However, will customers actually save money, or are some of the biggest retailers in America using this as a ruse to sell them unnecessary items?

Consumer activists and retail experts interviewed by The U.S. Sun have offered their best advice on how consumers might avoid being duped.

The most crucial thing, according to consumer advocate lawyer Danny Karon, is to do your homework.

The simplest method to ensure you’re receiving the greatest deal, according to Karon, who has given lectures on class-action law at several campuses, such as Columbia University and Ohio State, is to just Google the goods.

In order to obtain a number of discount codes that some dealers accepted and others did not, Karon said he recently purchased a glass bowl for his centerpiece and first Googled the brand’s name.

To help him feel more at ease, he went above and beyond by phoning the merchant to confirm that they were a genuine company.

Because you can be sure that you’re purchasing from a reliable website, Karon added, this also helps to defend against scammers.

Using a credit card instead of a debit card to make sure you can receive fraud protection is another excellent advice.

Finally, according to the expert, it is crucial to comprehend the merchant’s return policy throughout the peak buying season.

Karon suggested that all customers check if the supplier accepts returns and, if not, look for another one.

Lastly, if you’ve had positive experiences with a retailer and enjoy their return policy, choose them (Amazon comes to mind), Karon advised.

Karon’s advise was mirrored by other experts, who stated that before making a purchase, customers should be informed of the return policy.

KNOW THE RETURN POLICY

Because Black Friday is frequently a time when shops desire to get rid of extra inventory, customers should be aware that some items may have harsher regulations or restocking fees during this time.

Clay Cary, a CouponFollow savings guru, also suggested that consumers avoid clicking on unsolicited links and should only shop from stores they trust.

Cary advised customers who might wish to stretch their budget to think about using store apps or exclusive loyalty programs.

DON’T FORGET LOYALTY PROGRAMS

Some of these programs might provide unique discounts or early access to bargains, which could result in additional markdowns or other benefits.

Customers should be mindful of doorbuster trickery, though, in which merchants offer discounts on inferior products created especially for sales occasions.

Clay advised always comparing model numbers to reviews to ensure you’re getting a good deal.

TRACK THE PRICES

Black Friday, according to Cary, was all about planning, and he advised customers to check prices beforehand.

In order to make the reductions appear more substantial than they actually are, several shops even raise prices just before Black Friday. You can avoid paying more by monitoring prices over time,” he said.

Strategy is key on Black Friday, so focus on these pointers to get the best deal without falling for tricks.