Black Friday bargains - the hidden catch you need to know

Black Friday can be the perfect time to grab a deal. Big discounts, countdown timers, and “limited stock” warnings make it feel smart to shop early. But buying gifts now could mean you lose the right to return them before Christmas even arrives.

Most people don’t realise that Black Friday falls in a tricky spot for returns. Online orders usually give you 14 days to cancel, and in-store purchases don’t come with any automatic right to return. If you shop weeks before Christmas, that window can close long before anyone unwraps their gift.

What the law actually says about returns

A lot of shoppers think UK law guarantees free returns, but that’s not actually true. If you change your mind about something you’ve bought, retailers can charge you for return postage unless they choose to offer free returns.

Free returns are only guaranteed if the item is faulty or not as described. If you bought something in-store, you’re relying on the shop’s own policy. Some are generous, others aren’t.

Our resident consumer expert Vix Leyton says: “Whatever you do, always check the returns policy before buying. Nothing ruins the smug glow of securing a bargain faster than finding out it is now a permanent resident of your household because you missed the deadline by a fortnight.”

Below, we’ve rounded up some of Vix’s top tips for making the most of Black Friday returns and deliveries.

If your delivery is late, don’t waste time chasing couriers

If your parcel is late, damaged, or missing, your contract is with the retailer, not the delivery company. This means the shop has to sort it out. They can’t legally tell you to chase the courier yourself, so get in touch with them and ask them to follow up if necessary.

For less stress on Christmas day, pick a retailer with extended returns

If you’re not 100% sure someone will love their gift, choose a retailer that offers extended Christmas returns. Many big names do this to attract shoppers during the festive season.

Here are some options for you to consider:

• Argos – items bought after 26th September can be returned until 31st January
• Marks & Spencer and John Lewis – extended returns started from 1st October
• Currys – applies to purchases from 29th October
• Amazon – still one of the easiest for returns if something isn’t right

Always check the returns policy before you buy. Nothing ruins the joy of a bargain faster than finding out you’re stuck with it because the deadline passed.

Don’t let countdown timers pressure you

Retailers use all sorts of marketing tricks to encourage you to buy fast. From countdown timers, to limited time offers, it can be easy to panic buy before you have a chance to think a purchase through.

But, always take the time to pause and check the returns policy. Bagging a bargain is no good if the returns window runs out before Christmas day.

Don’t forget, there are always deals to be had even if you miss out because you wanted to make a few checks. Here at thinkmoney, for example, our SmartPlus account comes with PlusSave which gives you up to 20% off gift cards for major retailers like Argos.