Black Friday: five checks before you spend a penny.
Black Friday is Friday 27 November 2026, followed by Cyber Monday on 30 November. Sales often start earlier in November, so a practical advice item would work ahead of the day itself.
1. “It says 50% off — how do I know I’m getting a real bargain?”
Ignore the size of the discount initially: check what the exact model costs elsewhere and look at its price history. Include delivery charges in your comparison. In research published in 2025, Which? found that 83% of 175 products tracked were the same price or cheaper outside the four-week Black Friday period it examined.
Takeaway: “A big discount doesn’t necessarily mean the lowest price.”
2. “I’ve seen an amazing deal on social media — how can I tell if it’s a scam?”
Go independently to the retailer’s official website or app instead of following an unfamiliar advert or message link. Check the website address carefully and research unfamiliar sellers. If a seller insists on a bank transfer, stop: it offers less purchase protection than paying by card.
Takeaway: “Check the seller before you check out.” If you’ve already paid a suspected scammer, contact your bank immediately.
3. “Is there a safer way to pay for a bigger purchase?”
For an individual item costing more than £100 and up to £30,000, paying directly to the retailer using a credit card can give you Section 75 protection if the goods don’t arrive or the supplier breaches the contract. Even paying only a deposit by credit card can qualify. Conditions apply, and some intermediary payment arrangements can affect cover.
Takeaway: “How you pay can matter as much as what you pay.” Budget to clear the card in full so interest doesn’t eat up the saving.
4. “Buy now, pay later makes it look affordable — what’s the catch?”
It’s borrowing, even when it’s interest-free. Add up all your instalments across different purchases and check when they’ll leave your account, particularly around Christmas and January bills. Depending on the provider, missed payments can mean fees and damage to your credit record.
Takeaway: “Three smaller payments still add up to one full-price purchase.” Write a shopping list and spending limit before browsing.
5. “If I buy a Christmas present now, can I return it after Christmas?”
Check the retailer’s Christmas returns policy before buying. For most goods bought online from a business, you normally have 14 days after receiving them to notify the seller that you’re cancelling, then another 14 days to return them. Exceptions include personalised items and certain unsealed hygiene products. In a shop, there’s generally no automatic refund right simply because you change your mind.
Sale items still carry your usual rights if they’re faulty — but an unwanted present bought in November may be outside the normal cancellation window by Christmas.
Takeaway: “Check the return deadline before you wrap it.”
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Please remember everything on this site is journalist commentary and is not financial advice or guidance in anyway. I have taken every care to be as accurate as possible but you should always check things independently before acting on any financial or other decision.
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