‘It’s just a load of hype’: Your views on Black Friday
The Black Friday sales are now firmly underway, as can hardly have escaped your notice. We see it as our duty to sort the good deals from the bad, but this year we thought we should also see what you thought about the whole thing.
In the weeks before the sale, we asked 247 Telegraph readers what they thought of Black Friday and whether they would be shopping during the event this year.
Christina from London "really loves the Black Friday offers." Sheryas, also from London, thinks it's a "great time to be shopping," while Lynda said she has "had a few good Black Friday deals in the past."
However, many were sceptical of the shopping event, with some saying the value of Black Friday has significantly diminished over the years.
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John from the East Midlands is suspicious of the sales event, writing: "Black Friday is one of the biggest cons ever. Some companies actually put their prices up!"
Graham from Yorkshire adds: "After 35 years in retail, I am well aware of how prices can be increased on an item 28 days before a sale, then reduced back to its original price and advertised as a reduction."
Patrick from the West Midlands advises: "Always remember that the stores aren't in it for your benefit. Keep an eye for a couple of months before Black Friday on the prices for the goods you want to buy so you can spot the cons and scams."
As Patrick says, you can check the price history of products using price-tracking websites such as camelcamelcamel . Read our guide to finding a good deal to learn how. The Telegraph Recommended team always takes price histories into account before highlighting a deal.
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A number of responses in our poll referenced Black Friday as "just another load of hype imported from the Americans," as Sophie from the South West puts it.
Maureen from Northern Ireland thinks that "few have surplus cash to indulge in this crass American rubbish." Sean from Scotland isn't a fan either: "Black Friday is a confection brought over from the US that leaves a sense that the consumer is being taken for a mug."
Indeed, the US is where Black Friday originated. Every year, its date is dictated by Thanksgiving, which falls on the last Thursday of November, with Black Friday always the following day.
It's no longer just American retailers that take part in Black Friday, however, so while this annual shopping event has come from across the pond, there are some benefits to it spreading.
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If you remember the days before the internet, you may be in agreement with Linda who wrote: "The Black Friday sales are nothing compared with the old-style Boxing Day sales and the thrill and excitement of queuing all night just to be the first through the doors."
Jay from the West Midlands agrees, writing that Black Friday is "less exciting than going to the stores in person." Diana from the South East has "fond memories of the annual Harrods sale on Boxing Day and the complete bun fight in the china and crystal departments." She told us that she still has many of the beautiful items she bought there: "Back in the seventies they really were bargains."
Mohamed from London, however, is "glad we have got away from the midnight shop openings and stampedes for £199 Polaroid TVs."
While there's perhaps less of a thrill about simply hitting a 'buy' button, it does mean you can get your shopping done from the comfort of your home and, crucially, before Christmas. So there's potential for Black Friday to work in your favour.
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As many of our readers said, the trick with Black Friday is to know what you're looking for. Lois from Scotland told us she bought her exercise bike in a Black Friday sale and said "it's been one of the best purchases I ever made," while Gillian from the North West said she "got a great deal on cat food. "
Research is key. Richard from the South West said he "checks prices very carefully during Black Friday and has picked up some real bargains," and that's advice we recommend following.
As Kara from the East Midlands puts it: "Black Friday sales are fine if you do your research and have specific items in mind. It's a good idea to track the prices of what you are after in the months leading up to the sales and then, if you see a bargain, pounce on it."
She said she has "used this method to get a third off a high-end Samsung TV and other household items" in the past, advising that "discipline and research are the key things to remember." We couldn't agree more.
One thing to be aware of this year is the possibility of being targeted by cybercriminals. Read the Telegraph Money guide to how to avoid Black Friday scams for the best defences against that. Reader Diana Saville commented: "If I ever see anything advertised on social media that catches my interest, I log on to a different browser and search for the company. I never, never ever click on links." Excellent advice.
With all precautions in place, including a healthy scepticism and an awareness of price manipulations, there's no reason why you can't shop happily on Black Friday. The deals may not be as big as advertised, but they do tend to be the lowest prices you'll find all year. Read our guide to this year's Black Friday sale for the best we've found so far – only on products we've tested and approved.
