Shoppers are being urged to research deals ahead of time and to take advantage of price matching to get the most out of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
There are retailers that will match all prices on Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. Some, including Curry's, will match almost any price you see.
The consumer experts at Which? have also recommended that shoppers challenge stores to drop their rates, even if they don’t have price-matching policies. This is because there is a chance that the shops will be willing to refund the difference if you challenge them about a price drop soon after you’ve bought something.
They also suggest claiming cashback on their purchases via sites such as Quidco and TopCashback. However, be aware that you’ll need to use the cashback site’s link for your purchase to be counted.
What’s more, cashback is not guaranteed, and could take months to reach your account. Cashback is an added bonus if you’re set on buying an item anyway.
Reena Sewraz, Which? Money Expert, said: "No matter what you are in the market for this Black Friday and Cyber Monday, there are ways to keep costs down and even earn money as you shop.
"Take time to identify the products you really want and check that the ‘deal’ you’re seeing represents a genuine saving. That way, you can beat the hype and be confident that you’ll emerge from the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales with quality products that will last for years to come – and all for a bargain price."
Shoppers who don’t want to brave the high street on Black Friday and Cyber Monday can order items to a local store to collect at a quieter time.
Shopping in this way can also help you save on delivery fees – as many retailers do not charge for collections.
Additionally, for online shopping, the Consumer Contracts Regulations give you 14 days from when you receive most purchases to decide whether to keep them or return them for a full purchase price refund.
You then have a further 14 days to send the items back. There are exceptions, including personalised items and products bought from some non-UK sites. Even where the regulations apply, you may not get delivery charges refunded and returns may not be free.
If an item is faulty or not as described, under the Consumer Rights Act you’re entitled to a full refund within 30 days of receipt, including delivery or return costs.
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