However, these opportunities may be accompanied by several challenges, as some discounts may be merely a trick or a deception by some stores, which may raise the prices of products at first and then reduce them in an imaginary way.
Hence, rushing and being carried away by offers without thinking may lead to uncalculated purchasing decisions, and perhaps to financial losses for consumers who did not plan to shop intelligently.
Therefore, advance preparation and understanding of safe shopping methods is essential to ensure a successful and risk-free purchasing experience.
By knowing the tips for smart shopping and avoiding scams, shoppers can make the most of this annual occasion without falling into the traps of fake sales or being exposed to any fraud attempts.
In this context, a report by “The Times” provides a set of tips for shopping in “Black Friday“, providing a comprehensive guide to making the most of this occasion’s offers and avoiding common mistakes and potential frauds.
Firstly, social media is an effective tool for early exposure to offers, as many stores and brands publish their sale announcements in advance.
Subscribing to store newsletters also provides an opportunity to gain early access to exclusive offers, especially for very popular products, the limited number of which are often discounted.
Keen shoppers should conduct comprehensive price research, selecting the desired product and then comparing prices in different stores to get the best deal.
The report quotes Reload Digital’s retail expert, Katie Ray, as pointing out the importance of exploring new stores that may offer special discounts to attract new customers, which could contribute to achieving additional savings.
Also, various online price tracking tools are ideal means of verifying the realism of the discounts offered, as they enable the shopper to view the actual price history of the product, which helps distinguish real offers from others.
Also, with the expected increase in demand for electronic shopping sites, creating advance accounts and entering payment and delivery details in advance saves time and reduces the difficulties that shoppers may face during electronic congestion.
It is also possible to prepare a wish list on shopping sites, to facilitate the direct purchase process immediately after the start of the discounts, as this feature allows adding the selected products to the shopping cart directly..
Also, shopping through cashback sites is a smart way to achieve cashback when purchasing, as the shopper gets a percentage of the amount paid. You should also look for additional discount codes, which can be added at checkout, which enhances your chances of saving.
Finally, beware of scams on Black Friday, as the rush for offers can leave shoppers vulnerable to being scammed.
The economic expert, Yassin Ahmed, in his interview with the “Eqtisad Sky News Arabia” website, also advises the necessity of:
- Determine the goals, priorities, and budget for purchasing.
- Be very careful of scammers who publish fake ads on social media pages to deceive people.
- Buy from well-known and trusted stores.
- Avoid purchasing from an advertisement other than the official advertisements of well-known stores.
- You should buy the necessary things that the house needs, and do not be led by luxuries that waste money.
Other tips
For his part, Director of the Roya Center for Studies, Bilal Shuaib, said in exclusive statements to “Iqtisad Sky News Arabia” website, there are a number of tips that can be provided for safe shopping during the month of November, including:
- Do not buy a product you do not need, which contributes to rationalizing spending. It is not necessary to buy everything your heart desires. Avoid buying things you do not need so as not to pay more than necessary.
- On the other hand, avoid being led by fake offers; Sometimes the price of the item is initially raised and then a fake discount is offered. You find that the item that was sold for 100 becomes 200 and then a 50 percent discount is offered, returning it to its original price. Therefore, it is important to ask about the same item at more than one merchant or in several places before purchasing.
- When purchasing, start with necessities and then priorities, especially with regard to food items, and only buy in quantities appropriate to your needs.
- For electrical appliances, look for stores that offer the largest percentage of discounts, and check the prices of goods from more than one seller until you reach the real price.
- Some financial technology companies provide convenient installment systems of up to a year or more. Some of them offer direct installments through credit cards over 18 months without interest, administrative fees, or down payment, which is known as the “Triple Zero” system. So, when resorting to installments, look for these options that provide you with convenient payment terms.
- For clothes, where there are big offers and sales, try to buy at the right time. You can take advantage of summer offers in the winter at discounted prices of up to 70 or 80 percent, as sellers seek to get rid of inventory. As for winter clothes, their prices are often high at the beginning of the season, and you will not find big discounts on them, so buy only what you really need.
He explains that with high inflation rates and low purchasing power, it is necessary to preserve money and direct it appropriately, especially in light of the high costs of education, health, and food.
It is advised to avoid using credit cards except for essential needs, as interest rates have become very high. If you have to use it, make sure to use it in stores that offer offers without interest, without down payment, and without administrative fees.