By George Vichas
Black Friday[/B], an institution that started in the US in the 1960s and in recent years has come and stayed for good in our lives, is coming to a head.
Big discounts on various products with consumers rushing to meet needs and take advantage of reduced prices.
Speaking to the Cyprus Times, PASYLE General Secretary, Marios Antoniou, said that expectations are particularly high during this period.
Since yesterday, there was increased footfall and traffic after the afternoon, however, due to the weather, the public preferred shopping centres rather than shopping streets.
Increased expectations
As he explained, expectations are particularly high as last year there were restrictive measures as opposed to this year where there is no deterrent.
Mr. Antoniou said that last year during the week of Black Friday, an increase in plastic money transactions was recorded at 21%. "We believe that this year we will exceed this number," he said, with the target set at close to 30%.
Electric-electronics and technology products
In terms of preferences, he explained that electricelectronics and technology products are in the lead, followed by gifts and then clothing and footwear.
A special feature this year is the fact that Black Friday coincides with the World Cup. A fact that is believed to be helpful for the sales of televisions which, we are told, are at their peak these days anyway.
Unjustified any misleading
Asked to comment on complaints about misleading advertisements, Mr. Antoniou called unjustified any such action
[/P]At the same time, he noted, the authorities have the power to impose heavy fines of up to half a million.
Last year, he noted, fines of 30 and 40 thousand euros had been imposed in two cases on companies in the fight against unfair competition.
As Mr. Antoniou explained that there is excellent communication with the Consumer Protection Service, while meetings and training lectures have been held with various initiatives for the members of the association to avoid such problems.
20 complaints to the Cyprus Consumer Association
At the same time, until this time consumers have made 20 complaints to the Consumer Association[/B].[/B]
Speaking to State TV, the Association's legal adviser, Virginia Christou, said that there are complaints regarding offers in brochures, where consumers visit businesses and there are no stocks.
Others concern different prices on the shelf and at the checkout, others about price differentiation a few days before.
What to look out for and what to avoid
The Consumer Protection Service, in a statement, offers some simple advice to consumers:
- Buy what you really need.
[*]Don't buy a product just because it's on sale. Study the features of the product you are interested in to make sure it meets your needs and requirements. Look for reviews about the quality of the product. Evaluate the final price, not the discount.
[*]Use the internet. Use the internet not only for shopping, but also to find alternative products, reviews of the product you are interested in, and the selling price of the product from other suppliers.
[*]Price should not be the only criterion. Particularly if you intend to buy a value product (e.g. mobile phone, computer), it is important to evaluate the reliability and quality of service of the particular seller. Ask other consumers about their experiences, such as the seller's response to warranty issues.
[*]Determine your budget in advance. It is obvious that during the Black Friday period there will be many offers and it will be easy to get carried away. Determine in advance what you need and the maximum amount you want to spend, taking into account your financial possibilities.
[*]Find out the store's return policy before you make a purchase. Remember that according to European legislation, there is no legal obligation for in-store purchases and it is up to each store's policy whether to accept returns or exchanges. This obviously does not apply to online purchases, where consumers have the right of withdrawal after receiving the product.
The Consumer Protection Service wishes Cypriot consumers good and profitable shopping.
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
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