Don’t let old addresses wreck your Black Friday shopping spree

Black Friday sales are in full swing, and most of us are focused on avoiding scams and fake websites. But there’s another mistake that catches even the savviest shoppers off guard and it can cost you money.

How old addresses can wreck your Black Friday

Many of us put off shopping until Black Friday so we can bag the best deals ahead of the festive season. But in our rush to click “buy” before we miss out, we often forget to check our personal details.

So many of us have old addresses saved to various shopping platforms and it’s easy to send our brand new speakers or the new winter coat to our old flat share in all the excitement of Black Friday.

Our resident consumer expert, Vix Leyton, says: “Here’s the harsh reality: if the item is delivered to any saved address on your account, the retailer has technically fulfilled the order.

“They are not legally obliged to retrieve it, refund you or send another, and even if you flag it almost immediately, it might already be too late to reroute.”

At this point, you might find yourself at the mercy of the new residents who may or may not choose to help you get your parcel back.

How to avoid this costly mistake

Here are some of Vix’s top tips for making sure your Black Friday finds end up exactly where they’re supposed to.

Delete old addresses from your favourite retailers now

Before you get into the swing of Black Friday, have a quick look at your favourite retailers and delete any old addresses now. It makes it a lot easier to shop in peace if you don’t have to worry about shipping to the right address.

Take a moment before you hit pay

One-click payment options make it easy to place orders quickly, especially when you’re on your phone. Take a moment to review where you’re sending your order and what method you’re using to pay to make sure you’re not accidentally using an old address or unintentionally racking up credit card debt.

Track your order

Most online retailers allow you to set order notifications now so you can track your order in real-time. It might seem a little overkill but could be worth doing as it’ll be much easier to spot errors if notifications pop up along the way.

Don’t fall for marketing tricks

Countdown timers and exclusive offers are designed to make you rush a purchase. But, in most cases, taking a couple of extra seconds to check your details before you tap the “buy now” button won’t make a difference. So take your time to make sure you’re happy with what you’re ordering and where it’s going.