The key things you need to avoid getting stung in Black Friday sales

Black Friday has become a phenomenon in Ireland, having originated in the United States. Picture: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

The biggest shopping weekend of the year is upon us, with thousands upon thousands of euro set to be spent from 'Black Friday' through to 'Cyber Monday'.

However, that will also open customers up to fraudsters trying to scam them out of their money — from dodgy links while purchasing, through to bogus 'sorry we missed you' delivery charges.

Both the Revenue and DHL have issued warnings in recent days ahead of the sales, but Dermott Jewell of the Consumer Association of Ireland told the Irish Examiner that there are a number of key things to keep an eye out for when worried about legitimacy.

"You need to make sure of your own security before and after," he said. "Before you engage in any website, one of the key things to look for is the website address. 

Dermott Jewell of the Consumer Association of Ireland warns shoppers that the EU-wide cooling-off period does not apply to goods bought from other countries, such as the US. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

"All addresses will start with http — but you need to see https which determines that the site is secure and it’s a security presence and a licence."

Furthermore, if there are issues with a product or sale, you need to know exactly where you need to go and who to contact. Among the key questions he suggests are:  

• Where are they located? 
• What are the details for how to make contact?
• Who do you contact if a delivery is late? 
• Who do you contact if a problem occurs?
• How will they make contact with you? 

Ireland does have some fairly solid protections when it comes to online purchases — mainly due to membership of the EU. 

Mr Jewell said: "If you look at the EU, we’ve been promoting the best possible deals for consumers. We have that as a community in the sense that we have very good legislative provisions which dictate exactly what must be on every website within the EU."

Cooling-off period

Even more important for consumers, though, is the cooling-off period. 

By law, if you purchase something within the EU online and receive it, you are allowed to change your mind and send it back within 14 days.

Mr Jewell said: "That’s quite unique — it’s probably an enormous bugbear to retailers, but it’s the way the structure works now."

Other protections from the EU include price regulations but outside of the union, Revenue rules kick in. Mr Jewell said: 

Every single item [that you purchase] is open for VAT and any item that has over an intrinsic value of €150 can attract customs/import duty.

"That’s the one that catches people out, particularly if they see a great deal in the US, it’s not necessarily going to be the case. 

"The whole idea of Black Friday or Cyber Monday is to save money and if you’re buying from the wrong source, you’re not going to save money.”

Mr Jewell also said that, while cash is king, using a credit card instead of a debit card is the way to go.

"A debit card is the equivalent of paying in cash ie it has an instant and immediate effect.

“A credit card, on the other hand, you are buying through a company in which they own the item until you pay them for it. They will not be paying it quickly because they want to protect themselves."