Black Friday – Deals Or Deception?

It’s officially ‘Black Friday’, the latest American fad to hit the UK. As a lover of shopping, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as ‘bagging a bargain’. Black Friday however doesn’t seem to be all that it’s made out to be, I for one am certainly nonplussed by the so-called ‘deals’ which can apparently be had.

Black Friday – Deals Or Deception?

I purposely stayed up till past midnight specifically to carry out a little bit of ‘relaxed retail’ from the comfort of my sofa only to find that many of the ‘Black Friday’ offers certainly aren’t as cost-saving as all the hype them out to be.

Whilst some shops are advertising up to 50% off in reality they have simply elevated their prices to then lower them almost to their original price in the first place, saving the customer very little but appearing otherwise. It’s all a bit of a con really…

The Real Deals

With it being the ‘bargain hunting season’ I thought you might like to read a few of the things which I have actually saved a few pennies on in the past week or so, real deals lets say.

Following cancelling my contract with Sky Internet & Television I was offered a 20% discount upon my current package. I didn’t really think this was enough of a saving considering the price that we currently pay for a rather limited package. I stood my ground and insisted that I would no longer be using their services. A few days later I was given a far better offer of 60% off, a far better offer and of course we agreed.

Our car insurance renewal recently arrived in the post, one policy covering two drivers and two cars which suits us down to the ground, all apart from the price which seemed to have been hiked up ever so slightly.

After comparing the market, meercats and all the many ‘middle men’ which list the latest prices I found some reasonable offers and then called my current insurance provider to let them know what I had found which I may then have knocked a tenner or two off. Admiral matched the price I asked for and yet another deal with sealed.

With the cold winter arriving, J was in need of a warmer school jacket. Rather than hitting the high street and paying outlandish prices for a coat which would only end up strewn on the playground I opted to browse ebay for some second-hand, good quality coats. I ended up bidding on a few jackets and in the end won a rather nice, barely worn, red Gap jacket. I’ll give it a wash and it’ll be good to go at half the price!

As you know we have been steadily working upon our extension, the room is now painted and we are waiting for carpets to be fitted. In the meantime I have been selecting and pricing up furniture which thanks to Argos‘s “25% off furniture when you spend over £150” offer we have now saved a whopping £150 on! Use offer code ‘furn25’ should you fancy it!

I do love a bit of te-bay as my Mum and I call it, not only do I use it buy things but I tend to sell quite a lot of the kids clothes, shoes, toys and whatever else they have finished with. I managed to sell E’s pink boots this week for almost what we originally paid for them.

Thanks to having the funds in my paypal account following my ebay sales I then ordered myself a large Yankee Candle which was down by 50% and smells divine!

This evening after arriving home following a rather tense hospital appointment I also managed to find the Terraria Biome set down from £78 (as priced on Amazon) to £34 on Toys R Us, I clicked and ordered it to add to my in-laws Christmas parcels for the kids.

Yet another bargain was to be had only moments ago as Paul and I finally ordered the bed and mattress from beds.co.uk, I am not sure whether we really saved that much as prices haven’t really changed a whole lot over the past month but still, we got a good price and will finally be able to furnish our bedroom which we have been so looking forward to.

The Feel Good Factor

Overall I think I have had a fairly ‘frugal’ week, I may have spent some serious moolah but I have also saved a pretty penny and for that I feel good.

How About You?

Have you bagged any ‘Black Friday’ bargains? Is it all a con? Let me know your thoughts by commenting on the post, dropping me an email or getting in touch via social media.