The annual retail frenzy that is Black Friday has landed, with retailers offering thousands of deals in a bid to get back in the 'black' after a traumatic year for the high street.
However, while thousands of discounts are expected this weekend, Which? has warned that just 1 in 20 will be genuine, while price comparison website Idealo has claimed the best time to shop is actually four weeks after Black Friday.
So what are your rights if an item gets cheaper - and can you get a refund if the item later crashes in price?
“We've looked extensively at the data from last year and have been monitoring prices with a keen eye in the run up to this year’s Black Friday," explained Katy Phillips at idealo said.
"It’s alarming how retailers hike up prices ahead of Christmas, as you could save up to £901 by waiting until the 27th December."
The secret is all in the research.
When buying in the sales, always shop around beforehand to get an idea of average prices and what could make a particular deal a 'good' one. Make sure you compare online and offline retailers, too.
Secondly, make a plan of what you actually need/want and how much you're willing to spend and then stick to it.
This will make it easier for you to narrow your search and hone in on specific deals quicker. It also means you're less likely to make impulse purchases which catches so many people out.
Thirdly, bookmark relevant pages ahead of time. If you've been stalking that 42 inch TV or Apple iPad for weeks, save the pages so they're easy to find when the sales launch.
Lastly, keep an eye on additional savings that can knock your bill down further. You can often get click & collect delivery for free while cashback sites like Quidco and Topcashback can give you a welcome bonus on top.
It's also worth following the social media pages for your favourite retailers, for discount codes throughout the day.
The item I bought just got cheaper - what are my refund rights?
Prices are constantly fluctuating and so sometimes, you may find it falls even further in price after you've paid. This is both annoying and inevtiable.
To avoid this, aim where possible, to shop at retailers with price promises. This will mean you get a refund if your item drops in value in the weeks following your purchase. If you've already purchased your item, look back at the receipt to find out what its policy is/if there is one.
Retailers such as Currys will refund you the difference if you find the same item for less at a rival store within seven days - while AO.com has a similar rule on up to 10 days.
Meanwhile, Jessops has a price match over Black Friday itself and John Lewis is also running its never knowingly undersold promise
If that fails, you may be able to get a refund and then buy it again, however this will depend on the store's refund policy which isn't a legal requirement.
"If the store’s return policy allows a refund then it may be possible to refund the previous purchase and buy the same item at a discounted price. In fact, some shops will even send you the difference saving you the hassle of returning it," explained Thomas Pertaia, legal advisor at DAS Law .
"The law does not entitle you to do this, however, and it is worth checking the store’s return policy for discounted items as they generally offer more rights than the law does."
If you buy an item online that then drops further, you may also choose to buy a second one and return the original.
