Expert Shares How to Avoid Boxing Day Sales Scams

Sneaky scams to be on the lookout for while you’re trying to nab a Christmas bargain

The Boxing Day Sales famously have hordes of fantastic deals every year, and the minute Christmas Day ends, many people go in search of bargains. But whether they’re online or in-store, all that glitters is not gold; Boxing Day Sales are also a magnet for scammers. 

Luckily for us, Senior Deals Strategist Jason Higgs from Bountii has given us some top tips on how you can protect yourself from Boxing Day sales tricks. 

If It’s ‘Unbelievable’, Don’t Believe It!

As the old wisdom goes, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Extremely low prices – especially on high-quality items – may indicate counterfeit goods or a scam. Always compare prices with other retailers to gauge authenticity. If one store is selling a product for a much cheaper price than anywhere else, there’s probably something fishy going on.

Don’t Be Hypnotised by Cashback Offers

Even if there are ‘huge savings’ or a large cashback sum offered, always check the total amount you’ll be paying as you may be able to find better deals elsewhere.

Online cashback scams work by falsely promising cashback rewards that never actually materialise. They often ask for an initial payment – or your personal details so they can steal them – then ghost you, and the cashback (and sometimes the product itself) never arrives. 

Don’t Buy In Haste and Repent at Leisure

You may come across Boxing Day deals that are ‘time-sensitive’, but don’t let these aggressive marketing tactics pressure you into making hasty purchases. Take the time to consider your options and make informed decisions, rather than being swayed by pushy sales strategies. After all, Boxing Day isn’t the only time of year you can grab a great deal!

Don’t Turn Deals into Debts

If you’ve spent all your money over Christmas, it can be tempting to look for solutions when you’re desperate to take advantage of an amazing Boxing Day deal. The phrase ‘buy now pay later’ can sometimes be ironic, however. If you purchase what you can’t afford, you could find yourself struggling financially in the future.  

Some BNPL deals have repayment terms containing hidden fees and high-interest rates, and if you fall behind on your repayments, it could adversely affect your credit score. 

Some Reviews Are Fake News

Beware if there’s a sudden influx of positive reviews online within a short timeframe, as this can indicate a coordinated effort to artificially inflate a product’s reputation, especially if it’s timed to coincide with the Boxing Day sales.

Rather than solely reading the top reviews, scroll down to check those that provided lower star ratings. If you can access multiple websites for reviews, better still. Some browser extensions are available that filter out fake reviews and adjust a product’s rating based on real reviews only.

Jason says, ‘You should always verify retailer authenticity and use secure online payment methods’. By avoiding these common pitfalls, you’ll be more likely to find the Boxing Day bargains you desire without falling afoul of the scammers.