Black Friday: How you can avoid online shopping traps

The Black Friday sales are a boon for bargain hunters but if you’re shopping online, there are some pitfalls you need to watch out for. SEE THE LATEST DEALS

Online shopping’s pandemic boom will hit record levels during the Black Friday sales, but there are several ways shoppers can get caught out – either by their own mistakes or by others taking advantage of them.

There’s nothing wrong with shopping at the sales, says MyBudget founder Tammy Barton, if you’re careful. “Taking advantage of Black Friday deals, especially so close to Christmas, is a great way to save money,” she says.

But watch out for these online shopping traps.

The Black Friday sales are a boon for bargain hunters. Picture Glenn Hampson

MyBudget founder Tammy Barton is a big believer in the shopping list to “avoid impulse buying”. Picture: Supplied

SCAM CENTRAL

Scammers prey on time-poor people, and KnowBe4 security awareness advocate Jacqueline Jayne says Black Friday bombards consumers with choices, prices, offers, pop-up ads and links to access deals.

“Unfortunately, many of these will be fake and scams so pay close attention and don’t click,” she says.

Jayne recommends shopping with a third-party payment service such as PayPal, Apple Pay or Google Pay “which gives you and extra layer of protection” and to beware of parcel delivery scams.

“Always go to the official website to track parcels,” she says.

KnowBe4 security awareness advocate Jacqueline Jayne recommends shopping with a third-party payment service such as PayPal, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Picture: Supplied

FEELING FRENZIED?

Financial planner Alison Stanbridge from dmca advisory says shopping involves consumer psychology and online advertising tactics can exploit it.

“Don’t be rushed or pressured,” she says. “Alerts like ‘this sale ends in two hours’ or ‘free postage’ make you feel you have to order right now, but the best thing to do it stop and think about it. “Does 20 per cent off an item really make it worth buying now or from that store? Does a ‘buy one and get 20 per cent off the next item’ offer make sense, especially when you only wanted to buy one thing?”

Online shopping is great, but know the risks. Picture: Supplied

LACK OF A LIST

Stanbridge recommends writing out a shopping list, sticking to it and avoiding temptations.

“Have it next to you to keep you on track,” she says.

Barton is also a big believer in shopping with a list: “It’s the only way to avoid impulse buying.”

Financial planner Alison Stanbridge says shopping involves consumer psychology and online advertising tactics can exploit it. “Don’t be rushed or pressured,” she says. Picture: Supplied

PRIVACY FAILURES

Barton says websites can use abandoned cart emails and cookies to analyse your activity then potentially lift prices.

“If you’re online shopping, use private or incognito mode,” she says. “This way stores can’t track your movements and increase prices on items just because you’ve looked at them multiple times.”

IGNORING FINE PRINT

Know the full price by checking the payment terms and shipping costs. Some may limit payment methods for Black Friday bargains, while others might only offer free shipping if you spend above a certain level.

Beware of currency issues. Is the website charging US dollars, which are each worth 1.4 Aussie dollars? Check before you begin shopping.