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Most Black Friday products 'were same price or cheaper' beforehand | Most Black Friday products 'were same price or cheaper' beforehand |
(32 minutes later) | |
Nearly nine in ten products sold on Black Friday are available for the same price or cheaper earlier in the year, says consumer group Which? | Nearly nine in ten products sold on Black Friday are available for the same price or cheaper earlier in the year, says consumer group Which? |
It urged consumers to "do some research" in order to spot genuine bargains during the 27 November sale. | It urged consumers to "do some research" in order to spot genuine bargains during the 27 November sale. |
Retailers including Amazon, Argos and John Lewis said they offered good deals all year round, not just during seasonal shopping events. | Retailers including Amazon, Argos and John Lewis said they offered good deals all year round, not just during seasonal shopping events. |
Many shoppers see Black Friday as a way to buy gifts cheaply before Christmas. | Many shoppers see Black Friday as a way to buy gifts cheaply before Christmas. |
More than two thirds have delayed a purchase to try to find a bargain in the sale, according to Lloyds Bank. | More than two thirds have delayed a purchase to try to find a bargain in the sale, according to Lloyds Bank. |
It expects Black Friday spending in the UK to soar to £750m this year. | It expects Black Friday spending in the UK to soar to £750m this year. |
Black Friday emissions boom predicted | Black Friday emissions boom predicted |
Black Friday on Amazon: How to spot fake reviews online | Black Friday on Amazon: How to spot fake reviews online |
Which? tracked the prices of 219 popular home and tech products for six months before the 2019 sale and for six months afterwards. | Which? tracked the prices of 219 popular home and tech products for six months before the 2019 sale and for six months afterwards. |
It looked at goods from Amazon, AO.com, Argos, Currys PC World and John Lewis and found only three items were at their cheapest on Black Friday. | It looked at goods from Amazon, AO.com, Argos, Currys PC World and John Lewis and found only three items were at their cheapest on Black Friday. |
Natalie Hitchins, head of home products and services at Which?, said: "Deals that look too good to be true often are, so don't fall for time-limited offers and if you are looking for something in particular, do some research first. | Natalie Hitchins, head of home products and services at Which?, said: "Deals that look too good to be true often are, so don't fall for time-limited offers and if you are looking for something in particular, do some research first. |
"That way you'll know a genuine bargain when you see one." | "That way you'll know a genuine bargain when you see one." |
'Low prices all year round' | 'Low prices all year round' |
Currys PC World was the retailer most likely to have cheaper or similar pricing earlier in the year. | Currys PC World was the retailer most likely to have cheaper or similar pricing earlier in the year. |
For example, a pair of Bose Quietcomfort headphones at the retailer was £249 on Black Friday but had been cheaper or the same price on at least 15 occasions in the previous six months. | For example, a pair of Bose Quietcomfort headphones at the retailer was £249 on Black Friday but had been cheaper or the same price on at least 15 occasions in the previous six months. |
At John Lewis, 70 of 78 products were found to have cost the same or less before the sale. | At John Lewis, 70 of 78 products were found to have cost the same or less before the sale. |
For example, a De'Longhi coffee machine cost £1,285 on Black Friday, but had cost the same or less on at least 35 occasions beforehand - falling to less than £1,200 on several days in May and June 2019. | For example, a De'Longhi coffee machine cost £1,285 on Black Friday, but had cost the same or less on at least 35 occasions beforehand - falling to less than £1,200 on several days in May and June 2019. |
Amazon came out top of the retailers Which? looked at, although over half (57%) of its products were available cheaper or for the same price in the six months before Black Friday. | Amazon came out top of the retailers Which? looked at, although over half (57%) of its products were available cheaper or for the same price in the six months before Black Friday. |
Responding to the research, most retailers stressed that they price-matched throughout the year. | Responding to the research, most retailers stressed that they price-matched throughout the year. |
Amazon said: "We seek to offer our customers great value thanks to low prices all year round as well as a number of fantastic seasonal deals events." | Amazon said: "We seek to offer our customers great value thanks to low prices all year round as well as a number of fantastic seasonal deals events." |
AO World said:"Last year's Black Friday event had over 9,000 fantastic and fair offers for customers and we expect this year to be even bigger." | |
Argos said: "Our Black Friday event gives customers access to hundreds of products at their lowest ever price. They may also be part of sales and promotions we run the following year." | Argos said: "Our Black Friday event gives customers access to hundreds of products at their lowest ever price. They may also be part of sales and promotions we run the following year." |
Currys PC World said it price-matched throughout the year and has additional sales "to ensure we keep our promise of amazing tech that is affordable and accessible". | Currys PC World said it price-matched throughout the year and has additional sales "to ensure we keep our promise of amazing tech that is affordable and accessible". |
John Lewis said: "In addition to the variety of offers we have in-store and online during the promotional period, our never knowingly undersold price promise means that we continuously monitor and match the prices of our high street competitors throughout the year." | John Lewis said: "In addition to the variety of offers we have in-store and online during the promotional period, our never knowingly undersold price promise means that we continuously monitor and match the prices of our high street competitors throughout the year." |
Fraud warning | Fraud warning |
Shoppers are also being warned to watch out for Black Friday scams. | Shoppers are also being warned to watch out for Black Friday scams. |
Barclays said consumers who fall victim to an online scam this week could lose an average of £735 each. | Barclays said consumers who fall victim to an online scam this week could lose an average of £735 each. |
Electronics, trainers, phones and clothing are all popular products used to trick people. | Electronics, trainers, phones and clothing are all popular products used to trick people. |
Criminals set up fake websites and may offer goods that are bogus, shoddy, or never arrive. | Criminals set up fake websites and may offer goods that are bogus, shoddy, or never arrive. |