Looking to bag a bargain this Black Friday? Be a smart shopper and navigate carefully says Lincolnshire Trading Standards.
Emma Milligan from Lincolnshire Trading Standards said: "As many of us prepare to log on for Black Friday and Cyber Monday in the hope of bagging a bargain for a festive gift, we're reminding readers to shop with their head rather than their heart – and to check carefully before pressing the 'purchase now' button.
"So, before you start shopping, just think of these two things - just because it's at the top of Google doesn’t mean it's necessarily the best, and if it is too good to be true it probably is.
"If you're like me you've Googled 'cheap Apple iPhone 11', looked at the top Google listings and then gone on Facebook to see if there are any better deals available. A number of sponsored adverts then pop up for discounted Apple iPhone 11. Excellent I think!
"I'm met with a 'buy now – deal ends in two hours', 'only two left', '89 people are looking at this right now' really encouraging me to part with my money.
"We're certainly not saying that all online retailers are going to scam you, but we know that a large number of scam websites deliberately use attractive looking deals and time limited offers to rush consumers in to making a decision, trying to take away the time for doing your own research."
Consumer experts Which? revealed that a number of retailers in the top search listings were "subjecting customers to a range of unfair terms and conditions or unreasonable charges".
They highlighted two companies, based in Hong Kong: TobyDeals and eGlobalCentralUK.
Both appear in the top search listings when looking for popular tech gadgets.
TobyDeals said customers could face a £20 admin fee if they cancel after an order has been processed and warned of a £50 restocking fee for any missing accessories.
eGlobalCentral UK, which gets almost 90% of its web traffic from the UK – charges £15 if an order is cancelled after it has been processed and reserves the right to charge a restocking fee of £30-300 if the terms of the returns policy are not met.
"It's important to put a caveat on this," adds Emma "This isn’t all retailers at the top of the listings, but it is certainly some."
To keep you as safe as possible here are Trading Standards' top online shopping tips:
- Research the website - look at online forums. Fake sites can be pushed high up on a search list
- Just because the website address ends in co.uk does not mean it is based in the UK
- Check the website is secure; look for a padlock at the bottom right of the browser window
- Be wary if asked to send a payment by a money transfer system
- Use a credit card. You may be able to make a claim with your credit card company for non-delivery of goods or fraud
- Be suspicious of deeply discounted prices. If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is!
If you have any concerns about a suspicious website or if you require free, impartial and practical advice on a consumer matter, please call Citizens Advice Consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or visit www.adviceguide.org.uk