See When Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday Are in 2024 – What You Need to Know

This year, Black Friday falls on November 29, followed by Cyber ​​Monday on December 2.

Since the third year of its holding in Greece, since 2018, Black Friday takes the form of 'Black Week'. Stores are expected to do something similar in 2024, with big deals starting not on the traditional Black Friday, which falls on November 29, but on Monday, November 25.

It is also worth noting that this year (for the third time in recent years) the November mid-term sales are not taking place. This will reportedly allow small and large businesses to make more “bold” offers.

How Black Friday Came to Be

The idea originated in the United States, and due to its success, it became an initiative that was adopted by other countries. In the early 1960s, charts and receipts were, of course, handwritten, and two-color ink was used to record items in stores. Days with a negative sales balance were written in red, and days with a positive balance were written in black.

So the last Friday in November became the first day of sales for the Christmas season, with sales increasing significantly, hence the name “Black Friday”. In recent years, the event has spread to many European countries, including England, Germany, France, Denmark, Italy, Spain, Austria, Finland, Poland, and more and more retailers participate every year.

Ten Tips for Safe Black Friday Shopping

Beware of potential scammers and fraudulent activities. Black Friday is also an opportunity for scammers who take advantage of shoppers' desire to get lots of great deals. So even if you come across terms like “cheap,” “offer,” etc., don't assume it's a real bargain. Experience shows that if prices are particularly low or even significantly lower than usual, the item may be counterfeit or defective. Do your research before you make a purchase to be able to spot fake deals.

Read terms of use in online stores and ask about warranties in physical stores. While large chain stores often update their return policies to benefit customers, smaller businesses may be less flexible. Read an online store's terms of service carefully before making a purchase, or ask about the store's policy on returns if it's a physical store.

Beware of impulsive buying behavior before making a transaction. Do you really need the product you saw in the window or online? Is the final purchase amount beyond your budget? Black Friday causes such a rush among shoppers that many of them make unnecessary purchases, fearing that they will not have time to take advantage of the offers! Remember that despite the attractive offers that stores may promise in the run-up to Black Friday, as the Christmas holidays approach, the market will renew its stocks again, offering new discounts and new products!

Be wary of unknown or new online businesses. The best deals are not always offered by large online companies. Small businesses can also offer significant shopping opportunities, but with new or unknown companies, you should be especially careful not to lose money. If you find that the site is missing important information needed to identify an online company – name, postal address, contact numbers, email address and VAT number – it is better not to make a purchase until you have verified the reliability of the company by first researching its reputation online.

Beware of misleading offers. Even if you are making a purchase on a site you trust, it is important to check all the details of the transaction: price, warranty, shipping costs, availability or delivery time may be some of the important details that will determine your final choice. Sometimes, however, pop-up banners may appear with offers unrelated to the supplier company, from sites that ask you to enter your bank account details or even passwords to complete the transaction. In such cases, contact both the company and your bank and confirm the authenticity of the content of these messages. Avoid pop-up offers if they come from unknown sites.

Be very careful when providing sensitive personal information. When you are going to use a credit or debit card, carefully read the terms and conditions and emails associated with your transaction. Also, do not proceed with the transaction if you are asked to install software to receive an offer.

Don't be tempted by unusually low prices or offers. Check brochures, social media promotions, and store emails for prices on items you're interested in. Collect them a few days before Black Friday to get an idea of ​​the final price and make sure you're getting a really good deal.

Promotional coupons and gift cards. If you have promotional coupons or gift cards, check to see if the items you want are available on Black Friday, if the companies you're interested in accept these coupons, or if they're excluded from the deals.

Please check the security policy when making online transactions. If you plan to shop online, it is best to use personal devices that have anti-malware (anti-virus) software and firewalls installed. When entering transaction details, make sure that encryption is in place. You can tell by looking for a closed padlock icon in the upper left corner of the website address, and if the address starts with “https://».

Agree on the delivery date of the goods. If a business fails to deliver on time, remember that debit or credit card transactions provide consumers with significant recourse against cancellation of the transaction. Conversely, payment by depositing money into the supplier's bank account should be avoided.

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