Shoppers should research prices carefully before Black Friday and Cyber Monday to avoid misleading discounts, the Cyprus Consumer Association warned.
The association urged consumers to identify products they want and record their prices beforehand so they can compare real discounts and avoid deceptive practices.
Shoppers should avoid buying from questionable online stores, even when they display very low prices, the association said. It also advised against buying toys and cosmetics from international platforms, citing research showing increased safety risks for consumers.
The association called on shoppers to examine product features carefully, read reviews, and avoid vague phrases like “opportunity price,” “offer,” or “special price” that don’t clarify the actual discount percentage.
Consumers should be cautious when signing up for newsletters, as data collected is often used for targeted promotions and creating personalised consumer profiles, the association said.
Before any purchase, the association recommended checking the seller’s reliability, learning about the returns policy and requesting and checking the payment receipt before leaving the till.
For online or off-premises purchases, consumers have the right to withdraw within 14 days of receiving the product after notifying the business in writing, the association said. However, this right may not apply if the purchase was made from a company based in a third country.
The association urged consumers to check whether the business participates in an alternative dispute resolution mechanism and to report any violations on 22516112, at [email protected] or to the Consumer Protection Service on 1429.
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