Black Friday arrives on November 27th. Shops are already running sales. But the Hungarian Competition Authority, the GVH, warns that some of these huge discounts can be deceptive. Hidden costs and tricky offers may lie behind the advertised prices.
The GVH has seen stores promote discounts of 80 to 90 percent. Often, these only apply to a handful of items. Sometimes, the discounted products are not even available. Some shops might advertise a product with very low stock. They might use urgent messages to push you into a quick purchase.
The key question is whether a discount is real. Did you truly save money? The GVH suggests using independent price comparison websites before you buy. These sites often show a product’s price history. You can see if a shop suspiciously raised the price just before the sale.
Customer reviews online also need a careful look. If you only find five-star ratings for a webshop, the reviews might be fake.
The GVH offers practical advice for shoppers.
- Check the final price.
- Shipping fees and other costs can erase a discount.
- Compare prices elsewhere.
- See what other shops charge for the same item.
- Research the webshop’s reliability.
- Read the terms and conditions.
Know your rights. For most online purchases, you have 14 days from delivery to change your mind and return an item. You do not need a reason.
| Advice | Details |
|---|---|
| Check Final Price | Ensure there are no hidden costs |
| Compare Prices | Look at other shops for price variations |
| Research Webshop | Verify the reliability of the store |
| Review Terms | Understand discount and return rules |
| Know Your Rights | 14-day return policy for online purchases |
| Use Price Comparisons | Track price history to see true discounts |
The authority says it will closely monitor webshop pricing practices this Black Friday. It will take action if it suspects a breach of the law.
Shop smart. Make sure the deal is as good as it looks.
