Black / Green Friday Tips 2019

Seeing that it’s now November (we are nearly there!!) I thought I would do up a blog post with tips and information on BLACK or GREEN Friday Sales.

#GreenFriday is a great promotion to encourage consumers to buy products from local, independent Irish businesses. Keep in mind that small local business sometimes cannot do big discounts but they are essential for our local town. I hate to see businesses closing as its so damaging to our local economy. Every year I would spend both online and in my local shops. I tend to buy more in our local town as its more personal and I know I’m getting a good offer. Its nice to be able to get the item straight away too and not waiting on it to be delivered! Not to forget the customer service that we receive when shopping locally is more personal.

But when shopping in #BlackFriday, online sales, you could save hundreds by shopping in the bigger retailers and leaving your big-ticket items the 29th November and Cyber Monday on 2nd December 2019.

The goods that are heavily discounted vary to the run up to Black Friday, so timing your purchases can save you money. But November is a great time to pick up deals on electronic goods, such as TV’s Laptops, and tablets, household goods and furniture – and the promotions also spread into toys, cosmetics and fashion.

It is beneficial to shop around looking out for the bargain between bigger stores, just do a quick Google search for it in different stores.

My Top Black Friday Tips:

1) Do your research before buying anything under a Black Friday promotion, just because a deal has been tagged a “Black Friday’ offer doesn’t mean it is a good one! There will be so many offers around, that it is best to decide in advance what you actually want to buy, to avoid getting too caught up in the excitement and ending up with something that wasn't really on your wishlist. It's not a great deal if you don't actually want it!

2) Think of local businesses first #GreenFriday

Think about small local businesses first, a lot of your local stores will take part also. Every year I have found great Black / Green Friday offers in our local shops. I will be showing a lot of local Black Friday offers on my Instagram and Facebook pages.

3) Keep a close eye on what you are looking to pick up and ensure you are getting it for the right price! I would make sure you know your prices about a month or more before Black Friday starts, compare your prices, look out for early discounts, check your local shop and online, shop around. 

4) Weigh up the cost of warranties If you are buying big ticket items like a TV or game console, take note on the warranty information. If a retailer is offering a 1 year warranty but another retailer is offering a 5 year warranty for only a few euro extra, consider the extra 4 years for peace of mind, it will be worth it!

5) Be careful of scams

Do your research, buy from trusted websites with positive customer feedback. Google the website to make sure it’s reputable, only use websites you have used before or friends or family have used. If you receive an email, check where the email came from. Do not reply, never send your card details, PIN or any card information to anyone by email. Card fraud costs Irish debit and credit card holders € millions last year. Be aware of using public Wi-Fi, switch to 3G/4G or use your own secure Wi-Fi. Common ways criminals can obtain payment card details include phishing – where criminals send unsolicited emails to individuals which appear to be from genuine businesses or individuals to try to get you to reveal your payment card details. Vishing is a version of this which occurs over the phone.

6) Know your rights as a consumer especially when shopping in Black Friday deal

Remember, a reduction in price does not mean a reduction in consumer rights and you can change your mind by availing of the 14-day cooling off period. The 14 days kicks in from the date you receive your order. You can cancel for any reason, though you may have to pay the cost of returning the goods. You then have 14 days after telling the business you’re cancelling the order to send it back.

When you buy something in the sales, whether that’s online or in the shop itself, you have the same rights if the product is faulty, not of merchantable quality, or not fit for purpose. That doesn’t change just because there is a reduction in the price. You’re entitled to request a repair or replacement, free of charge. If that’s not possible, is unsuccessful, then you can request a refund of your money that you paid.

Some purchases are not covered by the 14-day cooling off period (like hotel bookings, car rental, travel tickets etc). Other exceptions include: Personalised goods etc.

Buying in a shop, make sure you ask at the till, what their return policy is. You are not automatically entitled to return it for a refund or exchange. However, many shops will give you a refund with proof of purchase or allow you to exchange the item. This is shop policy and not consumer law.

Faulty goods: If you buy something in a shop and it turns out to be faulty, you are entitled to a repair, replacement or refund. You may need proof of purchase, this can be your receipt but could also be a copy of a credit /debit card statement.

For more information on your rights check EECIreland.ie website for more.

My predictions of Black Friday and Cyber Monday bargains

As mentioned earlier, Black Friday is all about getting the big ticket items on sale such as, Household appliances, TV’s, games consoles, smart home tech etc. I will do up another blog post about the upcoming Toy sales this side of Christmas.

**Keep in mind I will update this blog post coming up to Black Friday once the stores have announced their offers**

What you are looking out for this Black Friday:

Games consoles - PS4, Xbox One S, Xbox One X and the Nintendo Switch & Switch, Video games.

iPads, TVs, Amazon Fire Tablets, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Echo Dot, Google Mini

Samsung smartphones, Apple AirPods and iPhones, Electric Scooters are just some of the big-ticket items that we are looking out for this Black Friday!

Sony has confirmed that the PlayStation 5 will be released around Christmas 2020. I would estimate that there would be some discounts on the PlayStation 4 console and games this year.

Microsoft and Nintendo will also be included in the big sales, with the new models, Xbox Scarlett and the PlayStation5 to be announced soon, I would say that the Switch Lite, Xbox One and PS4 will go on offer.

Apple would also be involved in all the deals. With only releasing the new Apple Airpods Pro, I would estimate the original airpods would go on offer.

Deals on the popular new release games, with Call of duty: Modern Warfare and FIFA 20 likely to hit Black Friday.

Argos:

Argos is currently running a Crazy Codes sale where the store is offering a discount on a different toy brand every week until Christmas Eve.

At the moment, from 13 November - 19 November, the Crazy Code discount applies to Paw Patrol, Hatchimals and Meccano toys offering 15% off. Use the code PAW15 at the checkout. Note that this code applies on top of any existing offers, so if an item is already on discount, the code would reduce the price by 15% again! It was a great offer when they had the 20% off all toys at the start of the month.

This code will change every Tuesday and I will update this blog post when it does.

Smyths Toy Superstore:

At the moment Smyth’s have started their Black Friday offers. They have a Bike sale ending on the 18th November and they have up to 25% off Toy Story 4 toys. *When they announce more sales I will post up.

Halfords: usually has something up its sleeve with discounts on ride-on toys, reduction on bikes, money off spends vouchers and so on! Last year, they had 30% off bikes the week before Black Friday (17th Nov 18) so I will update, when I see this offer again. At the moment they have 20% off bikes and there is no guarantee they will go to 30% for Black Friday!

Littlewoods: have already announced the Black Friday sales. They have 25% off Selected Large appliances, 25% off selected computing, Up to 40% off selected Kitchen Electrical, Up to 30% off TV’s, 30% off ride-on scooters etc.

Easons: at the moment have 30% off for their Black Friday sales! Use promo code BLACK to receive 30% discount.

Debenhams:

Debenhams usually get in on the Black Friday fun and have heavy discounts on clothing and usually have offers like VAT FREE savings on all fragrances. I will be keeping a close eye on the website and will update when announced!

They also have a great sale on Christmas Eve starting online Dec 24th with Up to 50% off and in store on the 26th December!

Currys: is already running it's 'Why Wait?' sale promising that if the price you pay now, goes lower on Black Friday sales, they will refund the difference. So basically, Black Friday is on now, but they call it the Black Tag event!

DID Electrical; have announced their Black Friday offers.Keep an eye on their Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages, where you will get early access to offers and promotions.

Harvey Norman; have already announced their Black Friday offers too. They match all competitors prices, so you need to be up to date on your prices to the run up to Black Friday. They have ‘Up to’ 30% off TV’s, Smartphones, Tablets, Coffee Machines. ‘Up to’ 50% off Headphones, Sofas, Dining & Bedroom furniture. (to name a few offers!)

Boots; have yet to announce their offers, but they normally have offers on Perfume, aftershave, electrical and beauty gifts. I will update when it is announced

Euronics; are going to have great deals across appliances, TVs, computers, technology and much much more. You can order online and will deliver to your door. They also have 60 stores around Ireland and offer price match. You can subscribe to their mailing list to get up to date offers. Euronics are locally owned independent stores, which benefits our local towns in Ireland.

Amazon;

I will be keeping a very close eye on Amazon this Black Friday. At the moment they have their ‘Deals of the Day’ but I will post up lots of offers as I see them on Facebook and Instagram, coming up to Black Friday. They will start rolling all the deals on Nov 22nd (Friday before Thanksgiving) until 23:59 on Friday 29th November. Amazon is likely to have 20% off various warehouse deals, offers on Amazon Prime membership, discounted Amazon Music offers, the usual tech stuff & more.

Best thing to do is to sign up to the Amazon Prime free 30 day trial, to get 2 day delivery to Ireland. Also with Prime, members get early access by 30 minutes for Black Friday offers, so it’s worth signing up for.

They start their “Boxing day” deals online from 25th Dec until the 31st Dec. They drop their prices on hundreds of Kindles, Laptops, and tablets, games and mobile accessories. This is also a great time to keep an eye on the website if you are looking for a good offer in the New Year.

I would recommend you install the Keepa Amazon tracker on your web browser. This handy little tool will show you the price history of any product on Amazon. It will also allow you to track any product and send you an email if the price goes below a set figure or if it’s coming up in a lightning deal, very handy.

Thanks so much for reading. I will post up another blog post about the upcoming toy sales this side of Christmas based on estimate dates of 2018!

HAPPY BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING and HAPPY BARGAIN HUNTING!!

© Motherofalldeals 2019