Black Friday shoppers warned about misleading discounts
Consumer protection experts are warning shoppers in Moldova that misleading discounts, unavailable sale items and online pressure tactics can turn Black Friday bargains into costly mistakes.
How to spot artificially inflated discounts
One common deceptive practice involves raising a product's price before launching a promotional campaign, making the subsequent discount appear more generous than it actually is.
Under consumer protection rules, the advertised reduction must be calculated against the lowest price charged by the retailer during the previous 30 days. Consumers should therefore compare prices and track their changes before making a purchase.
"Because a price reduction must be based on the price charged during the previous 30 days. (...) But this is clearly an unfair practice towards consumers, because the price was deliberately increased or the increase was planned," Nicolae Olărașu, Executive Director of the Consumer Protection Centre, said on Moldova 1's Bună Dimineața programme.
Advertised discounts and product availability
Another concern is the availability of heavily discounted products. Although retailers advertise discounts of up to 70%, shoppers may find that the products carrying the biggest reductions are already out of stock, while items with much smaller discounts remain available.
Consumers are advised to document promotional offers and keep evidence of advertised prices, particularly if they intend to file a complaint.
"The inspector examining a consumer's complaint needs to know the circumstances of the case. It must be clear when I visited the store, what price was displayed and what irregularities I found," Olărașu said.
When shelf prices differ from checkout prices
Shoppers should also pay attention to discrepancies between the prices displayed on store shelves and those charged at the checkout.
According to Olărașu, consumers are entitled to request that a product be sold at its displayed price, and retailers cannot unjustifiably refuse to sell it. If such an incident occurs, buyers are advised to photograph the price label and document any refusal by the retailer.
Discounts do not cancel warranty rights
Some retailers also attempt to justify refusing warranty coverage on the grounds that a product was purchased during a sale. This is a violation, the Consumer Protection Centre's executive director said.
Durable goods remain covered by the statutory warranty, and retailers cannot shorten the legally required warranty period simply because an item was sold at a promotional price.
Online shopping and pressure tactics
Additional risks arise when shopping online, where consumers are particularly vulnerable to deceptive practices designed to encourage impulse purchases.
"When you're rushing to take advantage of discounts and limited stock, online platforms can display countdown timers showing that an offer will expire within an hour. These are marketing tactics designed to rush you into making a decision," Olărașu said.
Consumers are advised to buy from established platforms and verify a seller's identity before placing an order. They should also exercise caution when considering offers promoted on social media, particularly when sellers are private individuals whose identities cannot be verified.
Retailers operating both physical stores and online shops may also charge different prices through the two channels, as each involves different operating costs and commercial conditions. Such price differences do not automatically constitute a violation of consumer rights, provided that the information displayed to shoppers is clear and accurate.
Black Friday originated in the United States and has since become an international retail phenomenon, including in the Republic of Moldova. Retailers use the occasion to launch promotional campaigns and offer discounts to attract shoppers.
Traditionally, Black Friday takes place in the United States on the Friday following Thanksgiving. However, promotional campaigns now frequently extend over several days or even weeks.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
RELATED COVERAGE
- Consumers demand justice: 1,900 petitions in nine months
- Consumers are more willing to denounce product non-conformity, filing over 1,200 petitions
- Moldova launches e-democracy tool as consumer claims jump 78%
- New online fraud scheme targets Moldovans
- US citizens duped in Moldova $560K online vehicle fraud
