You get what you pay for: Black Friday deals hide cheaper-quality electronics

With Black Friday just around the corner, not everything we buy might be a bargain.

Black Friday is the biggest shopping day in the US, a phenomenon that has also spread to other countries. Theoretically, it's the best time for buyers to snatch an item or two at a far better price. However, the reality can sometimes be quite different.

While most consumers know how to get the best deals – by knowing exactly where and when to look or installing a price tracker – manufacturers and retailers also have a few tricks up their sleeves to help them profit.

“I learned a thing when fixing a Sharp TV I bought used. [...] It was manufactured specifically for the sale and had different internal hardware and firmware than the normal Sharp Aquos of the same size and identical appearance,” wrote one user online, shedding light on one of Black Friday’s secrets.

The price is (never) right

Many people fall for Black Friday deals primarily because of the price. How many of us have been in a situation where we didn't actually need an item but decided to buy it anyway just because it was "on sale?"

But it can't be said that consumers haven't learned anything since the beginning of Black Friday, which, according to different sources, dates back to the mid-20th century.

For years, it has been known that some retailers like to raise the price of sold products at least a month before Black Friday sales.

"[...] Stores like Target do this with Bluetooth speakers and large items like printers and some TVs. They do this so their profit margin on these products is larger than if they had simply put it on sale from that original price," wrote one Reddit user.

However, this isn't the only open secret about Black Friday and its deals.

Know what you're buying

Another alarming Black Friday "trend" has been uncovered over the years, and it is closely related to electronic goods.

Many tend to make bigger purchases during Black Friday or Cyber Monday, thinking that they'll get a good deal.

This is why around half of items sold on Black Friday are electronic goods. Among the most bought electronics are TVs, laptops, smartwatches, headphones, gaming consoles, and vacuum robots.

However, if you're thinking of investing in new tech that will be used for a long time, buying it during Black Friday can be risky.

Users online reported instances when purchased electronics labeled as "limited edition" were actually "derivative" products.

Such electronic goods are "sold as part of promotions and special events such as Black Friday. While these products sold by major brands still tend to be reliable, the features are usually slightly changed to justify the significant discount available," explains Seth Geftic from Huntress Labs, a cybersecurity company.

One example could be a TV sold with fewer HDMI connections or a cheaper bezel.

Sellers can increase the price of the derivative products and then add a discount, making it look like a good deal as the new product doesn't have a price history.

The same goes for already existing products that are given a new serial number. This strategy, devised by manufacturers and retailers, prevents buyers from making a direct price comparison because they won't be able to find the same model in other retail places. This saves retailers from having to match their prices.

The derivative products often don't include reviews or information about their features and specs.

This problem has been broadly discussed online. Ex-workers of various retail places often confirm that cheaper, yet lower-quality, TVs, DVD players, cameras, and laptops are often snapped up during Black Friday sales by shoppers who believe they’re getting a great deal.

The situation raises legal questions about this type of strategy. Even though it's misleading, it remains legal as long as a company provides the item's model number and specifications, leaving users to decide for themselves whether the device is worth their money.

More returned items

Since electronic goods are among one of the most popular purchase categories during Black Friday, return rates are also quite high, ranging from 20% to 25%.

The reasoning behind such returns is that it was an impulse purchase, the item was damaged or defective, or it wasn't the right model, size, or color.

A return also solves the problem of getting rid of an unwanted purchase of a derivative.

Nevertheless, users should keep in mind the various return policies, which often require the item to be unopened and presented with a receipt.

How to shop safely during the Black Friday craze?

One of the main ways shoppers can protect themselves from this scheme is to do some research, check the product's code, look at its specifications and reviews online, and compare them with similar products.

If you're willing to dig even deeper, it's recommended that you research a company you're planning to buy from to learn about its reputation and what others think of its products.

"In general, it's wise to remain skeptical of deals that feel too good to be true – because, usually, they are," concludes Geftic.