The costly deal-hunting traps to avoid: These are the biggest mistakes people make on Black Friday

With your feeds flooded with flashing banners and "unmissable" discounts, it’s dangerously easy to get a little click-happy during the Black Friday sales. But before you dive headfirst into filling your virtual basket with discounted home accessories or big-ticket furniture pieces, take a breath. You might be falling into one of the classic Black Friday traps.

From clever marketing tricks and fake discounts to scam sites and buying things you simply don't have room for, here are the biggest deal-hunting mistakes to avoid this season – and how to shop smarter.

Biggest mistakes people make on Black Friday

1. Buying things you don’t need

It’s dangerously easy to get a little click-happy during Black Friday sales. So many tempting offers! Here, it’s important to follow Martin Lewis’s advice: "If you were going to buy it anyway and it's half price, great; if you weren't going to buy it but do only because it's half price, boo, you've wasted 100%."

Just because you find yourself perusing the Black Friday sales doesn’t mean you need to buy everything that crosses your path – simply because it looks like a bargain. As with all sales, approach with caution (and a clear list of what you need). Decide what’s on that list ahead of time so you won’t get sucked in by the barrage of offers.

2. Falling for scam websites

Just as you need to be wary of the product brands you’re buying, so too do you need to keep an eye out for unfamiliar websites. They might be appearing high up on Google search rankings or in your social media feed because of clever SEO and paid advertising – but that doesn’t mean they’re verified sites, so you should always check independent review platforms and research the site’s reputation before you buy.

3. Believing the price is the best it’ll be all year

Although Black Friday savings are great, they’re not necessarily the lowest prices available throughout the year. If you’re interested in a particular product, keep shopping around for it – don’t just look during the month of November. Track the item over several months – or longer, if possible – and compare prices across as many retailers as you can.

Online price trackers such as CamelCamelCamel or Price Runner – or Keepa, if you’re shopping on Amazon – can show you how product prices have changed over time, and whether or not you’re actually getting the bargain you think you are.

4. Believing the discount is genuine

The ‘before’ prices on sale items can be inflated – or slightly misleading. Vendors will often inflate prices just before Black Friday to make the discounts seem even more impressive. Check online price trackers (as we mentioned above) to avoid being lured in by what appears to be a great discount.

5. Buying things you can’t afford

Before doing any Black Friday shopping, ask yourself: “How will I pay for this, and can I actually afford it?”. Many sites will offer “Buy now, pay later” options, which are a tempting “solution” to cash flow difficulties, but can create many more problems than they can solve. If you are using these or buying on another form of credit, you need a clear plan for how you will repay your debt.

6. Buying poor-quality products

Don't automatically opt for the cheapest version of an item. Always read reviews before taking the plunge, especially with high-ticket items or electronics. Check the warranty conditions and return policies on any goods you might have your eye on.

Need a hand? Check out our buyer's guides to this year's Black Friday, to help you find the best deals this year – from the vendors you can trust.

Top image credit: Getty