BLACK & BLUE

Watchdog finds items in annual Friday sales are cheaper later on

SHOPPERS hoping for Black Friday bargains may be better off waiting because goods are often cheaper after the sales, a watchdog has warned.

An investigation by Which? found six in 10 items up for grabs cost less or were the same price at other times of the year.

The findings are bound to leave shoppers feeling blue on the big day this Friday.

One of the worst supposed bargains was a Neff Slide and Hide oven, made popular on TV’s Bake Off, which was going for £494.99 (down from £599.99) in last year’s sales but could be found for £449.99 three weeks later.

Which? also found a Samsung 55-inch curved TV advertised by Curry’s at £849 to “save £400” but was £50 cheaper at least 29 times in the weeks following.

Alex Neill, Which? managing director of home products and services, said: “Our research shows that although Black Friday can offer some great discounts, not all offers are as good as they seem.

“It’s easy to get swept along by the hype and excitement on the day, so we recommend doing some preparation and research to help make sure you really are getting a good deal when shopping in the sales.”

But firms hit back, insisting the Black Friday prices are still bargains. Currys PC World said: “We are bemused as to why a long-established consumerfocused organisation such as Which? would think that it is untoward for retailers to reduce prices on some items to a point lower than it had been in November.

“Currys PC World featured around 4,000 products reduced as part of the Black Friday period and we make no apology for reducing some of them even more after that period.”

Argos added: “Black Friday allows customers to choose products which offer great value. This does not exclude these products from other sales or promotional activity at other times of the year.” And Amazon said: “We offer incredible deals around Black Friday representing millions of pounds of savings for our customers across a vast selection of products.”