Is Black Friday a con?

Tinkywinks108

A friend at work recently went to buy a kettle/toaster set from Currys which was marked as £20 off. She asked the shop assistant if it was likely to go down in price any further on Black Friday. The shop assistant told her that they would in fact raise the price just before Black Friday just so it can appear to have a big discount but would actually work out more expensive than buying now.

Apparently many retailers prepare for Black Friday in the same way, meaning we're not getting the bargains we think we are.

Anyone else found this to be true?

1974Marie

Hi. I don't really monitor prices of something as trivial as a kettle and toaster set. If my kettle goes, I buy one. Likewise with a toaster. Buyings them as a "set" is not something I have done. In the past few years I have gotten into this Black Friday thing. (online only) I wish it would DO ONE back to where it came from. I won't be shopping the same way now. I will be supporting local stores where I can and this will include Debenhams in the city centre. I have the same money in my wallet. It's just may be that people get a bit less in their parcel on Christmas Day.

richj

had the same experience in Timberland last year, prices would go up, then be discounted for Black friday. Spoke to someone who said they use it to get rid of stuff they haven't previously managed to get rid of.

[Deleted User]

Black Friday has always been aimed at the simple minded.

Take a shoddy product, create an unrealistic 80% discount and watch the customers fight it out in the car park.

Tinkywinks108

richj wrote: »

had the same experience in Timberland last year, prices would go up, then be discounted for Black friday. Spoke to someone who said they use it to get rid of stuff they haven't previously managed to get rid of.

A friend of mine worked in River Island and said that all the stuff that doesn't sell goes into the sale pile and is brought out year after year. Much of the stuff is several years old.