How to Spot Fake Black Friday Deals (and Save Instead)
Black Friday can be great — but it’s also a playground for clever marketing. Retailers sometimes show big “savings” that aren’t real, anchor you with inflated “was” prices, or push limited-time urgency on items sold year-round. Below we will explain the common tricks, show how to check prices for real, and compare Amazon, Currys and Argos so you know what to watch for at each store. Sources and practical tools are included so you can verify deals yourself.
Quick summary
- Many Black Friday “discounts” are anchored to artificially high previous prices- don’t trust “Was £X, Now £Y” alone.
- Check price history with Keepa or CamelCamelCamel for Amazon items; use PriceSpy / Google Shopping for multi-retailer comparisons.
- Currys runs price guarantees and price-match/price-drop schemes during Black Friday- read the small print and register for their guarantees (and shop here.)
- Argos runs early and large rollouts (shop here); still verify via price history and compare model numbers (often “sale-only” model variants exist).
- If a bargain looks too good to be true, treat it carefully: check history, seller (marketplace vs retailer), reviews, and return policy. Also remember the CMA has been tightening guidance on misleading pricing.
- We keep all the best deals for you here on site- making it easy for you to shop safely for the best prices!
Click Here for the best (legit) Black friday deals
Fake vs Real Deal signals (Amazon, Currys, Argos
| Retailer | Fake-deal signs to watch for | Real-deal signs (genuinely worth checking) | What to do right away |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon (UK) | Large “Was” price with no history, frequent lightning/limited-time relists, marketplace sellers manipulating list prices. | Consistent price drop confirmed by price history tools, sold & fulfilled by Amazon.co.uk, stable seller ratings and clear returns. | Check Keepa or CamelCamelCamel for 3–12 month history, verify seller, confirm returns & buy if history supports it. |
| Currys | “Lowest ever” claims without dates or exclusions, bundles/sale-only SKUs that aren’t comparable, pre-sale price hikes. | Explicit price guarantee or price-match policy, clear model/SKU match, added services or warranty that add value. | Read Currys’ price-promise T&Cs, compare model numbers elsewhere, register for any price-drop refund if required. |
| Argos | Deep cuts on sale-only product codes or different model variants, steep seasonal reductions on items that aren’t useful year-round. | Transparent original price history, identical model numbers across retailers, genuinely lower prices on needed items (e.g., toys, seasonal tech). | Compare model numbers on PriceSpy/Google Shopping, check reviews/specs, and buy if cross-retailer comparison confirms the saving. |
How retailers create “fake” discounts (common tactics)
- Anchoring to an inflated “was” price — listing an artificially high previous price next to the discounted price to make the saving look larger. Watch for missing timestamps or unclear reference dates.
- Temporary pre-sale price hikes — retailers may raise the price in the weeks before the sale, then “discount” back to the old level. Price trackers reveal this pattern.
- Sale-only SKUs — cheaper models or bundles sold only in the sale, not comparable to full-spec versions. Always compare model numbers/specs.
- Marketplace/3rd-party confusion — on Amazon a third-party seller can set a high “list” price and then “discount” aggressively; the product’s history may be volatile. Check seller identity.
- Omitted extras / limited availability — “free” extras that are of low value, or deals with limited stock to create urgency. Read the fine print.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and UK consumer rules have increasingly targeted misleading pricing: so big retailers risk enforcement if they mislead customers, but you should still verify.
Step-by-step checklist to verify any Black Friday deal (5 minutes)
- Check price history- Amazon: install Keepa (or use CamelCamelCamel) and view the chart for 3–12 months. If the product was cheaper recently, it’s not a unique BF bargain.
- Compare across retailers-Use PriceSpy, Google Shopping or search model numbers - if Currys/Argos/Amazon all show similar prices, it’s probably real.
- Confirm the seller-On marketplaces, prefer purchases sold & fulfilled by the retailer (e.g., “Sold by Amazon.co.uk”) rather than obscure third parties.
- Read the T&Cs-Look for price-match windows, exclusions (open-box, clearance lines), and whether you must register for refunds (Currys sometimes requires registration).
- Check returns & warranty- A deal isn’t a deal if the returns policy or warranty is worse than usual.
- Set alerts-Use Keepa/CamelCamelCamel or retailer watchlists to get notified if price drops again.
Retailer-specific tips & traps
Amazon (UK)
- Use Keepa/CamelCamelCamel to check history. Many apparent “doorbusters” are temporary lightning deals or 3rd-party price swings. If the price history shows long periods at lower prices, wait.
- Watch the seller: “fulfilled by Amazon” is safer than a small 3rd party seller with weak returns. Also check reviews for sudden spikes which can indicate fake reviews.
Click Here to shop Amazon BF DEALS tt
Currys
- Currys has been publicising formal Black Friday Price Guarantees and price-match policies, but you must follow their registration and time windows to claim refunds if prices fall further. Register purchases during the stated dates. Always compare model numbers and bundled extras.
Click here to shop Currys BF DEALS
Argos
- Argos often runs early Black Friday events and heavy discounts on big-ticket seasonal items and toys. That’s useful if you want something now, but always check whether the sale model differs from the regular model, and compare with other stores. Tech reviews and PriceSpy can be helpful.
Click Here to shop argos BF DEALS
Real-world example (how to apply the checks)
Imagine a TV listed as “Was £1,199 — Now £699” on a big site:
- Open the product page and note the model number.
- Plug the model number into Keepa/CamelCamelCamel and PriceSpy. If the chart shows the TV was sold for £699 or cheaper multiple times in the last 3–6 months, the “was £1,199” claim is misleading.
- Compare other retailers- if Currys or Argos has it at £699 year-round, skip the hype unless Currys adds extra warranty or services you value.
Short shopping plan to actually save money this Black Friday
- Make a list of 5 items you want
- Set price alerts on Keepa / CamelCamelCamel (for Amazon items) and add them to wishlists on Currys / Argos
- Two days before a purchase, re-check price history and cross-compare: if price is the lowest in 6–12 months, it’s probably a good buy.
- For large purchases (TVs, laptops), check Currys’ price guarantee windows here and register if required.
Legal & safety pointers
- UK consumer protection bodies have been clear that misleading reference pricing is unacceptable - retailers face enforcement if they mislead consumers. If you suspect a retailer is breaking the rules, you can report it.
- Beware phishing emails and scam sites during the season: always buy from the official retailer site (check URL), use a credit card for protection, and enable 2FA where possible.
Final checklist you can copy/paste before checkout
- Did I check the model number and compare across at least 2 other retailers?
- Is the seller a reputable one (Amazon.co.uk / Currys / Argos etc) or an unknown 3rd party?
- Does Keepa/CamelCamelCamel show this price as an outlier (i.e., lower than the typical price)?
- Do returns/warranty look standard?
- Is the saving worth it compared to waiting a week or two for price corrections?
