Since learning about Black Friday, Mercy has treated it like an annual shopping fest. She happily sings, \u201cchop my monies\u2026\u201d as she fills her cart with everything she\u2019s admired for months, convinced each deal is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every year, she promises herself, \u201cThis time, I\u2019ll only buy what I need.\u201d But the moment the \u201c50% Off Black Friday\u201d banners appear, her carefully planned Ksh20,000 budget quickly balloons to Ksh50,000. To make matters worse, with purchases from multiple websites, Mercy isn\u2019t even sure if her data is safe on some of the e-retail platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mercy isn\u2019t alone. Black Friday is designed to create a sense of urgency, nudging you to click \u201cAdd to Cart\u201d on items you don\u2019t really need. Before checking out, Samuel, ABC Bank\u2019s customer service officer, recommends asking yourself these five essential questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1) What is my need? Is this something you genuinely need, or just discounted?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2) How much do I have? Set a budget before shopping and stick to it, because unplanned shopping isn\u2019t a saving if it pushes you into overdraft or digital loans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3) How much are other retailers selling it for? Some discounts aren\u2019t real. Stores often raise prices before Black Friday, then \u201cslash\u201d them to look cheaper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4) Are there any hidden costs? Delivery fees, taxes, and packaging can turn a good deal into an expensive one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5) Is my payment method safe? Black Friday attracts scammers. Avoid unfamiliar sites, unsecured Wi-Fi, and random links. Always use trusted payment methods and double-check website authenticity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unlike Mercy, don\u2019t fall into the ‘ Black Friday flashy sales deals’. Plan, check, and take a moment to ask the right questions before hitting \u201cBuy Now.\u201d With clarity and caution, Black Friday can work for your needs, not your impulses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Happy Black Friday!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"