Millions of people are facing an expensive winter this year, as the cost of living crisis continues to soar.
However, one consumer rights expert has shared the things people should be avoiding as they search for festive deals, reports The Sun. It's always good to have a look around for a product - if you are set on a certain item, it could be cheaper in another store.
It is worth keeping in mind that something is only a bargain if you set out to buy it in the first place. And also, check return policies and delivery costs before buying - there could always be a catch.
READ MORE: Edinburgh couple to feature on new series of I Can See Your Voice this weekend
Consumer expert Martyn James shared their top tips to festive deals, and they are listed below.
Return charges
As mentioned, it is always useful to check return policies before spending money. This is due to the fact that many online retailers have began charging customers to send items back.
For example, Zara is one of many charging for refunds, now expecting an extra £1.95 per item you send back. However, some retailers are not expecting money back for items returned over Christmas - including B&M and Argos.
For these retailers, you can send items back if you have a receipt from now until January 31, 2023. Details vary per retailer, so you can check the information for everyone offering extended policies here.
Black Friday 'fake' sales
Martyn warned consumers that not all Black Friday sales are actually full of bargains. According to the expert, 90 per cent of sales were actually the same price six months earlier, or even cheaper.
It is always best to triple check the deal if you find a product you want - and don't buy anything you didn't intend to in the first place. You can use price comparison sites like PriceRunner or Idealo if you need a bit of help.
Be careful around social media stores
Although social media can be a great place for tips and tricks on shopping, you need to be wary when finding bargains. Make sure to check in with the firm selling it if you have doubts by clicking the "contact us" link when you visit the site.
'In demand' items
Shoppers tend to get frantic when it gets closer to Christmas, meaning scammers will claim certain items are "in demand" when they're not. Always double check the website address - if it doesn't have a padlock at the top left corner of your screen, it might not be trustworthy.
Subscriptions and voucher taps
It's easy to be fooled by sites offering subscriptions, which often don't warn you when a free trial ends. This means they'll begin to charge you after a certain period of time, and you might not even know it.
Shopping expert Alice Beer recently came up with some top tips around this. She said: "Please avoid the huge incentive sites - if there's a massive incentive, look at what the price you've got to pay is.
"If you've got to click through and sign up to a subscription, you've got to be really sure you're going to take the first free period and then end it. These can end up costing you more."
Alice also added: "This is not the time for us to be signing up to subscriptions. We can't. Money is too tight at the moment."
READ NEXT:
King Charles steps in to stop sacking of Princes Andrew and Harry from major job
English driver travels 500 miles to Scotland to take 'easiest driving test' in UK
Edinburgh to get a new 'state of the art' inflatable park with party zones and arcade
Deaf Edinburgh dog looking for a compassionate new home with short walks
I tried to buy a used car in Edinburgh and the experience sent me over the edge
