Scotland's national advice service has issue key tips to Scots shoppers ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2021 in order to stay safe online and avoid 'panic-buying'.
Advice Direct Scotland has launched a week-long social media campaign today to encourage consumers to ‘stay in the know’ as shoppers gear up for the two busiest days of the year for online shopping.
This year's Black Friday will take place on Friday, November 26, but many retailers are already running a series of offers, with UK consumers planning to shop online over the coming weekend to try and bag a bargain while discounts are on offer.
However, Advice Direct Scotland, which runs the free consumeradvice.scot service, have urged shoppers to be aware of their rights when it comes to purchases, know what to do if things go wrong, and how to make the most of their money – while avoiding panic buying.
How to make the most of Black Friday 2021
- Make the most of your money – check prices with other retailers before any final decisions.
- Avoid hidden delivery charges – check the cost of shipping to your address at fairdeliveries.scot.
- Use a credit card if spending over £100 – your purchase will be protected under the Consumer Credit Act.
- Check the returns policy – retailers have different policies on returning unwanted goods, but you have the right to return most goods purchased online within 14 days for a full refund.
- Don’t buy fake goods – they may not be safe, and you might not be able to get a refund.
- Look out for scammers – check the website is secure and that it has a valid UK address, returns policy and terms and conditions.
- Remember that free, impartial and practical advice is available if something goes wrong – consumeradvice.scot will help you resolve the problem and can be contacted via the website or by phoning 0808 164 6000.
Colin Mathieson, spokesperson for Advice Direct Scotland, said: “Don’t forget to shop around – there may be other websites that offer the same products for less. By checking prices with other retailers, you can save money.
“If possible, and if you are able to pay off your card balance, putting purchases for more expensive items on a credit card is recommended as this provides additional consumer protection.
“It’s also important to recognise that things can go wrong, so look out for hidden delivery charges, particularly if you live in a more remote part of Scotland, and be aware of scams. If something appears too good to be true, it often is."
