Tomorrow’s Black Friday is the day that kicks off the Christmas shopping season with big sales. However, both physical establishments and e-commerce platforms have already been offering significant discounts on most of their products for several days. However, to mark the eve of this commercial activity, which originated in the United States, the Directorate General for Benefits, Pharmacy and Consumer Affairs offers the following recommendations for getting it right this Black Friday:

Review your purchasing decisions

Do we need the product? Before venturing into the world of discounts, it would be a good time to review your wardrobe (you may be surprised at how many items of clothing you have left to wear). Making a list and a fixed budget can help a lot.

Black Friday

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Comparing IS saving

It is a good idea to compare the usual prices of the products on the list to check that the discount applied is real. It is also a good idea to compare brands and companies to find out what features are offered on similar products and which one best suits your needs.

Even if it is a sales period THE GUARANTEES ARE THE SAME

Even if it is a period of special offers, the shop is obliged to offer the same after-sales service; a reduction in price does not imply a reduction in the rights of consumers. The products offered have the same legal guarantees as always (3 years for new products and 2 years for digital products).

The price is lowered, but the QUALITY is the same as always.

Ask for and keep the receipt or invoice

It is the guarantee of the purchase. You should ask about the possibility of exchanging the item because the shop is not obliged to exchange a product that is in perfect condition, unless it is advertised as such.

Preferably purchase consumer products in establishments that are members of the Consumer Arbitration System.

This circumstance constitutes an additional guarantee for the resolution of any hypothetical problem you may have. Opting for local products stimulates local commerce and increases the competitiveness of commerce and the primary sector of the Balearic Islands.

If the product is purchased over the Internet, also bear in mind the following:

Always make purchases in safe places

If you see ‘https’ instead of ‘http’ in a web address, the ‘s’ means that the site is secure. Another way to identify a secure page is the appearance of a closed padlock or key on the screen. If you double-click on the padlock or key, you will see information about its security certificate.

Check the original price of the product

It is recommended that you check the original price of the product, whether it includes VAT and whether or not it has shipping costs, so that you can identify what discount is being given. Make sure you can identify the person or entity responsible for the website or supplier (name, address, VAT number).

Right of withdrawal

Remember that you have the right of withdrawal, of which the consumer must be informed. This will allow, without giving any reason and without penalty, to cancel the contract for a minimum period of 14 calendar days from the day of receipt of the product.

Keep a copy of the purchase operations carried out

You must keep a copy of the purchase operations carried out. At the end of the purchase order, a page summarising the transaction should appear (it is advisable for buyers to keep a copy, even in the event of an incident or failed transaction due to a computer error).

There are also a number of rules in European legislation, reflected in the EU Code of Online Rights, which protect consumers throughout the entire online transaction process.

The Directorate General for Benefits, Pharmacy and Consumer Affairs encourages to take into account other elements when buying products, such as assessing whether sustainability criteria have been applied in the production, the effects on the environment, whether the label has environmental information, whether they are made with recyclable materials, the packaging, whether ecological printing has been used, etc.

For more information:

Consumer Portal
Social networks: @IBConsum
Free consumer helpline: 900 16 60 60 00

Offices of the Directorate General for Benefits, Pharmacy and Consumer Affairs:

Palma: 971 17 79 79
Mahon: 971 17 73 33

Ibiza: 971 17 70 67