Five ‘dodgy’ Black Friday sales tactics that retailers use to mislead consumers
‘Storewide’ discounts and other marketing schemes being monitored this Black Friday
- Black Friday sales, now a weeks-long global event, are under scrutiny from consumer watchdogs like the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
- The ACCC is actively monitoring retailers for misleading sales conduct, which can result in significant financial penalties for offenders.
- Common deceptive tactics include advertising "storewide" discounts that do not apply to all items, and artificially inflating prices before applying a supposed discount.
- Such misleading practices exploit consumer emotions and undermine fair competition, as dishonest sellers gain an unfair advantage over those offering transparent pricing.
- Consumers are advised to be vigilant by checking original prices, taking screenshots of advertised deals, and reporting any suspected misleading conduct to the ACCC.