Instructions for shopping on Black Friday were issued by the Cyprus Consumer Association.
A statement said: "The institution of Black Friday began in the 60s in the United States and is essentially the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. Black Friday takes place on the last Friday of November.
Do a market research now. Locate the products that you may be interested in and note their price, so that you can more easily have a true picture of the amount of discounts that will be announced on Black Friday. The goal is to buy those products that are not offered at a discount the rest of the year. There will be other opportunities for other products.
No hurried shopping. Buy what you really need. Products you really do not need, do not buy.
Do not buy a product simply because it is on sale. Study the characteristics of the product you are interested in, in order to make sure that it meets your needs and requirements. Look for reviews on the product. Evaluate the final price, not the discount.
Take advantage of the internet. Use the internet, not only to make purchases, but also to find alternative products, reviews for the product you are interested in, as well as the selling price of the product from other suppliers. Beware of products with very large discounts that do not have all the necessary information, such as, exact details of the seller's address or a full description of the product features.
Price should not be the only criterion. Especially if you intend to buy a value product (eg mobile phone, computer), it is important to evaluate the reliability and quality of service of the specific seller. Ask other consumers about their experiences, such as the seller's warranty response and after-sales service.
Determine your budget in advance. It is obvious that on Black Friday there will be several offers and it will be easy to get carried away. Determine in advance what you need and the maximum amount you want to spend, taking into account your financial capabilities. Maybe your goal is a cell phone and in the end you end up with a TV that you do not need.
Check the store's return policy before making a purchase. Remember that under European law, there is no legal obligation for in-store purchases and it is up to each store to decide whether to accept returns or changes. This does not apply to online purchases, where consumers have the right to withdraw up to 14 days after receiving the product.
Find out if the store you are interested in applies the Consumer Code of Conduct.
Find out if the store you are interested in participates in the Alternative Consumer Dispute Resolution mechanism or other similar mechanism such as the consumer dispute resolution mechanism offered by the Cyprus Consumer Association ".