10 ways to shop smart on Black Friday
With big sales being promoted this Black Friday (25 November), it can be easy to get caught up in the hype. Here are our top tips to make sure you’re getting a good deal.
1. Check the Black Friday deal is really a bargain. Compare prices online to make sure another shop isn’t selling the item cheaper. Don’t buy something “just because” the store claims it’s on special.
2. Know the 3 Rs and forget the extended warranty. In most cases, an extended warranty isn’t worth it – you’ll be paying for cover you already have under the Consumer Guarantees Act. The shop has to repair or replace faulty goods, or provide a refund, even if the item you bought was on sale.
3. Make the right choice. If you change your mind about a purchase, the retailer doesn’t have to take it back. Check out our product tests to help you pick the best buys.
4. Don’t forget your chargeback rights. Bought something online and it never showed up? Or maybe it did but was nothing like the description? If the retailer refuses to put things right, get on to your bank about a credit card or debit card chargeback. If your claim's accepted, you’ll get your money back.
5. Know who’s responsible for deliveries. Under the Consumer Guarantees Act, retailers that arrange delivery have to ensure items arrive on time and in good condition. So if an item arrives damaged, you don’t have to muck about with the courier company – the retailer must sort it out.
6. Find out where to shop for good service. There are some shops where you’re more likely to get above-par service. Our latest retailer satisfaction survey found the little guys did a better job than the big chain stores at keeping customers happy.
7. It never hurts to ask. Leave your shyness at the door when hunting for a deal. See if the salesperson will offer anything extra to sweeten the deal.
8. Think carefully before signing up for a “buy now, pay later” deal. The appeal at this time of year is understandable – you only ever have to shell out a fraction of the item’s cost upfront and pay off the rest over time. However, if you start missing payments, you’ll pay default fees.
9. Add in an exchange card. Buying a gift for someone else? Always ask the retailer for an exchange card to go with it. Retailers have no obligation to take back a present if the recipient doesn’t like it or you change your mind before giving it to them but some stores will do an exchange in the interests of good customer relations.
10. Ignore the pressure tactics. “Selling fast!” “10 others looking at this item.” “Don’t miss out!” These kinds of claims are designed to tempt you to make a purchase you wouldn’t otherwise have made. The best protection for your wallet is to resist the sales pitch.
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www.consumer.org.nz...
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Poll: Are our Kiwi summer holidays helping us recharge, or holding the economy back? ☀️🥝
There’s growing debate about whether New Zealand’s extended Christmas break (and the slowdown that comes with it) affects productivity.
Tracy Watkins has weighed in ... now it’s your turn. What’s your take? 🤔
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73.2% We work hard, we deserve a break!
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15.7% Hmm, maybe?
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11% Yes!
Wayne Brown backed by billionaires and developers in $611k campaign haul
Celebrities, billionaire Graeme Hart and a who’s who of property developers each gave up to $50,000 to fund Wayne Brown’s mayoral re-election campaign.
Electoral returns made public today show Brown was flush with about $606,000 in campaign funds, while his only serious competitor, Whau councillor Kerrin Leoni, received just $16,076 in four donations over the $1500 declaration limit.
She relied heavily on donations of less than $1500 to raise $83,111.83 to run her campaign, while Brown spent $323,872, with nearly $280,00 left over from his wealthy donors.
Leoni, a low-profile first-term councillor, stood little chance against the high-profile Brown, who romped home for a second term by a margin of 100,000 votes.
Among the donors who gave $5000 to Brown were former All Black and Waiheke resident Marc Ellis, and Black Knights Football, which refers to Auckland FC, of which former All Black Ali Williams and his wife Anna Mowbray are minority co-owners.
Williams attended Brown’s election-night party at the West End Tennis Club at Coxs Bay, a short walk from the $24 million coastal home he shares with Mowbray.
Through his Rank Group company, Hart, who is worth an estimated $12.1 billion, gave $50,000 to Brown’s campaign. Property investment firm Tramco Group, whose directors own big landholdings on the Auckland waterfront, also chipped in with $50,000.
Other donors included Precinct Properties ($10,000), engineering firm BECA ($5000), Park Hyatt Hotel ($18,400), Hancocks Wine ($8000), Golf Warehouse ($20,000), Bayleys Real Estate ($10,000) and Hopper Developments ($5000).
Leoni, who was the Labour councillor for Whau but stood as an independent in the mayoral race, received donations from former Auckland Mayor and Labour leader Phil Goff ($1500), former Labour minister Judith Tizard ($5000) and longtime Labour operative Greg Presland ($7576).
She said Brown had the advantage of building relationships during his first term to raise donations, but she was proud of obtaining 20% of the vote by raising and spending $83,000.
The greater handicap during the election campaign was the lack of mainstream media coverage, with live television debates largely watched by older people, who formed the largest group of voters, she said.
The election resulted in the lowest super city turnout of under 30%.
Leoni, a mother of twins who has degrees in politics and economics, Māori development and social services, said she was having a break from the council to refocus and would decide on what to do next in the New Year.
Brown, who has said he will not seek a third term, declined to say what would happen to the nearly $280,000 left over from his campaign, saying he does not comment on other people’s donations, except to say they were a sign of the level of support for what candidates stood for.
Auckland Council electoral officer Dale Ofsoske said there were no rules governing how candidates used leftover campaign funds, though many choose to keep them for future campaigns.
Candidates could do what they liked with the money, he said.
Three years ago, Brown raised $310,000 in donations and had to dig into his own pocket to top up the $470,00 cost of his campaign.
Donations of $10,000 or more to Wayne Brown
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Tramco Group - $50,000
Rank Group - $50,000
CP Group - Aphi Funds manager - $25,000
Peninsula Capital $25,000
Knight Investments Ltd - D Nakhle - $20,000
Hugh Green Ltd - $20,000
Stonewood Group - $20,000
Golf Warehouse - $20,000
Aedifice Development - $20,000
AHL Park Hyatt Hotel - $18,400
Clifftop Services - PC Cooper - $15,000
Mr MJ Todd - $15,000
Gilligan Rowe & Associates - $11,000
Liu Vincent - $10,000
Southside Group - Chris Jones - $10,000
Van Den Brink - $10,000
Williams Corporation - M. Horncastle - $10,000
Precinct Properties - $10,000
Oyster Capital - $10,000
Bayleys Real Estate - $10,000
N McKenna - $10,000
Donations of $1500 or more to Kerrin Leoni
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Greg Presland - $7576
Judith Tizard - $5000
Te Ata Thompson - $2000
Phil Goff - $1500
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Brain Teaser of the Day 🧠✨ Can You Solve It? 🤔💬
How many balls of string does it take to reach the moon?
(Peter from Carterton kindly provided this head-scratcher ... thanks, Peter!)
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!
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