A study by the Consumer Protection Association (DECO) last week confirmed a suspicion I have a long time ago. Many stores increase prices of some products (all gave too conspicuous) on the eve of promotions. Ever happened to me walking the “dating” a product – at the time was an appliance – and wrote his prices at various stores for 2 weeks. When I was to buy, I heard on the radio that the following weekend was one of such promotions without VAT or equivalent. I decided to wait. When I got to the store and cashed 23%, the product was still the most expensive of my comparative price list. I returned home, more than confused, disappointed.

Confirmed on that day that the consumer must always be attentive and do well the accounts before buying whatever it is. And do not go after the promotions just because the advertising says it is “a must”.

There are promotions such as in the following cases, which are not that much. DECO found that, in a supermarket, the price of TV LG 55UF770V increased by over 60% on the eve of Black Friday. Increases added and subtracted discounts, between 25 and 27 November, the TV increased 340.20 euros. In another store, the price of the TV LG 32LF5610 increased 80 euros on 18 November. On Black Friday, after the discount was 40 euros. In other words, consumers could have bought the TV for a lower price only 10 days before.

Worten, one of the companies targeted by the DECO, in a statement, said that does not increase prices before the promotions. What happens – justified – it is making so many deals that rarely has the price “normal” and that, therefore, comparison of the DECO is misleading. In earlier days, the lowest price recorded by the Consumer Protection Association was a promotion and so on Black Friday was the discount on the normal price (the highest, without the promotion that had already finished). In short, Worten does not disprove the accounts of DECO: clarifies that does not increase prices but does finish above discounts apply to perhaps smaller discounts.

It is curious indeed that Worten says either contacted the only customer that bought such a TV and offered him the possibility of accumulating discounting the Black Friday with the previous discount. Ie (do not say anything to anyone …) opens here an interesting door to the case where the potential buyer that the discount we are offering today is lower than the discount that was right last week. But these are already other accounts … Just in case, I will keep this statement.

In less serious cases, and had in his hand a list of products DECO analyzed, with the discount of Black Friday many outfits that were advertised as having 30% discount, compared to the previous weeks prices, costing only a few euros any less. The conclusion of the DECO is that 1 in 20 products “on sale” gave harm to those who bought them, compared to previous prices.

How does this solve? DECO proposed to the (new) government that the stores are required to put the items on sale the lowest price of that product in the last 30 days. That would be a huge advance in the field of consumer protection. Let’s see what happens. It costs be optimistic.

In my experience, even in supermarkets, 50%, 25%, the “Take 2, pay 1″ or “Save half” are sometimes on completely inflated values. The only way for consumers to protect these false promotion is to be informed and always know the price “normal” things that interest you when are NOT on sale (see sidebar, or on the “Plus”, if you are use mobile phone).

Thus, when the expected day of the promotion, will not be fooled. And you can be sure that had a real savings. There are indeed good deals these days, there is to know what are. All products is not …

SUGGESTION
START COMPARE PRICES BEFORE THE DAYS OF DISCOUNTS
Before buying whatever it is, if you can wait, go noting the prices of what you want for 2 or 3 weeks in various shops. The internet can help in this regard, although sometimes online the prices are different. Sites like KuantoKusta, Izideal and other simulators (DECO also has, but it is only for members) give you an idea of ​​what to expect. At least gets an indication of prices in Portugal.

Then wait for a weekend of “Descontões” or specific promotions. And buy if the promotion is REAL fact. There are products that even on sale, are more expensive than the store next door without any promotion. Remember: “Promotion” does not necessarily mean savings.

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