(Prague, 27 November 2024) Black Friday brings not only tempting discounts, but also the risk of fraud and misleading offers. The European Consumer Centre Czechia has prepared practical tips on how to get real discounts and avoid common pitfalls when shopping online.

“People should make sure that the discount is calculated on the lowest price in the last 30 days and that the product is not cheaper elsewhere. This EU rule does not apply to purchases outside the European Union, so it is worth bearing in mind possible shipping costs or customs fees that can make seemingly cheap goods more expensive,” says Ondřej Tichota, the Director of the European Consumer Centre Czechia.

It is advisable to consider whether you need the item at all, whether you are not just a victim of a shopping spree or a shopping addict. It’s a good idea to prepare a shopping list of things that the consumer really needs and stick to it, so that you don’t fall for all the tempting discounts and spend more than you want.

Black Friday is also a harvest for scammers – phishing messages fly through the online world via email, text messages and chat apps. People shouldn’t click on links pretending to be from well-known retailers, banks or shipping companies.

” The basic lesson applies. If we are buying somwhere for the first time, whether in an e-shop or on a social media profile, we should always check who the seller is, whether they inform us of our rights and give a trustworthy contact. And let’s pay attention to the reviews od previous customers,” reminds Ondřej Tichota and adds: “If an offer looks too good, it may not be real.”

During Black Friday sales, the same rights apply as for regular shopping. In the EU, consumers have the right to return goods bought online within 14 days. But it’s a good idea to check the return policy before buying, as sometimes goods bought on a Czech website need to be returned to another country.

Although we often stress situations where things may not go as planned, most sellers are fair,” says Ondřej Tichota of the European Consumer Centre, which helps consumers resolve cross-border disputes against sellers from other EU countries, Norway and Iceland. Disputes with Czech carriers are resolved amicably by ADR entities.

For more information on safe shopping and consumer rights, visit www.evropskyspotrebitel.cz.