As we approach one of the busiest shopping days of the year, it’s important that people know the law and their rights around sale prices, returns and faulty goods.
Black Friday originated in America and is a new phenomenon to Irish shores.
The Friday immediately after Thanksgiving in the States, which is the last Thursday of November, is when retailers slash prices.
The following Monday is known as ‘Cyber Monday’ – when online stores have their sales.
Despite the newness of the event to Ireland, consumers are already tiring of the sale day – with the Irish consumer watchdog, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), saying only 30% of consumers believe that the discounts displayed by businesses are genuine.
Black Friday shopping day sale discount. Image: AlamyOn Newstalk Breakfast's Breakfast Business CCPC Director of Communications Grainne Griffin said the “intention of people to shop” is “dropping” to the “lowest levels” they have seen in their tracking.
“There's about 36% of consumers, so more than one in three, who are planning on shopping next weekend,” she said.
“The amount of money [people are planning to spend] has gone up quite significantly - people will be spending over €430."
Business laws
Businesses cannot put up prices the week before sales to make it seem as if items are significantly cheaper, Ms Griffin warned.
“If you’re a business, you can't just be putting up the price the week before and then putting a big line through it on Black Friday, claiming all sorts of amazing discounts,” she said.
“The prior price has to have been the lowest price during the previous 30 days.
“You can't also mislead consumers by putting up things like RRP or recommended retail price.
“You have to be really clear that this was for sale for this price for this period and now it is on sale for this period.”
Buyer's remorse
CCPC research has shown there has been significant ‘buyer’s remorse’ during sale times.
Ms Griffin said sales periods are a time where consumers “can very easily be drawn in by all the discounts and everything that's on offer”.
“Our research does show that a very high number of consumers have been there, they've made the purchase and they've regretted it afterwards,” she said.
“So I think for people who are going in [to the shops] next weekend, or who are going online next weekend, it's just really important to take time beforehand and think ‘what am I actually looking for here, what do I want to buy, and how much am I prepared to spend?’
“We know that psychologically, if you decide that in advance and maybe even write it down, you're much more likely to stick to it.”
Pictured is Sive Dollan doing some early shopping on Black Friday. 23/11/2018 Photograph: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ieMs Griffin explained the customers’ rights when shopping during a sale.
“If you buy something online, you've an automatic change of return window,” she said.
“But if you buy something faulty, whether you buy it in store or online, you'll always have rights.
“It's really important that people know that sales do not remove your statutory rights at all.
“I would say to people, though, who are shopping, particularly online, do check the return periods to make sure that you know when something has to go back if you change your mind, and also check delivery dates.”
Main image: Sign advertising Black Friday sales. 22/11/2023 Photograph: Sasko Lazarov / © RollingNews.ie
