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90% of Black Friday deals were the same price or cheaper six months before

bbc.com

1–10 of 231 posts

Re: 90% of Black Friday deals were the same price or cheaper six months before

#3

Could 2020 have been some peculiar outlier because of Covid and supply issues?

I can't be bothered finding the data, but I've seen graphs from previous years that show many items raise in price around October to get ready for a Black Friday "sale." Generally there are a few items that end up cheaper on the day, but most are fairly standard sales.

Re: 90% of Black Friday deals were the same price or cheaper six months before

#4
I worked in retail sales from 2004-2006 and I remember management ordering us to increase prices on items leading up to big sales. It seemed like fraud and it made me feel icky doing it.

Especially when we would replace labels of an item that cost $99 to say that it cost $139 and was now on sale for $99.

Luckily I haven't had to work in retail since...

Re: 90% of Black Friday deals were the same price or cheaper six months before

#5
post #4

I worked in retail sales from 2004-2006 and I remember management ordering us to increase prices on items leading up to big sales. It seemed like fraud and it made me feel icky doing it. Especially when we would replace labels of an item that cost $99 to say that it cost $139 and was now on sale for $99. Luckily I haven't had to work in retail since...

> It seemed like fraud and it made me feel icky doing it.

In many places, it _is_ fraud (well, illegal but still). In the UK, the higher price must have been offered for 28 days out of the last 6 months.

Re: 90% of Black Friday deals were the same price or cheaper six months before

#7

Could 2020 have been some peculiar outlier because of Covid and supply issues?

6 months before Black Friday last year was at the height of the first Covid panic featuring regional shortages of food staples, toilet paper, etc... So I would think not.

Re: 90% of Black Friday deals were the same price or cheaper six months before

#8
post #6

I'm currently in the market for a dryer and checked the prices the last couple of days. It went from 649 Euros a week ago up to 739 Euros today. Fully expect it to fall back to 699 Euros tomorrow.

That's probably illegal (depending on region). I'd consider reporting it.

Re: 90% of Black Friday deals were the same price or cheaper six months before

#9
post #6

I'm currently in the market for a dryer and checked the prices the last couple of days. It went from 649 Euros a week ago up to 739 Euros today. Fully expect it to fall back to 699 Euros tomorrow.

I'm curious, why put prices back? Why not leave it at elevated levels?

Re: 90% of Black Friday deals were the same price or cheaper six months before

#10
post #6

I'm currently in the market for a dryer and checked the prices the last couple of days. It went from 649 Euros a week ago up to 739 Euros today. Fully expect it to fall back to 699 Euros tomorrow.

That is clearly illegal down here in Australia. One of the largest on line retailers here, Kogan, was even prosecuted: https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/kogan-to-pay-350000-fo...
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