Love it or hate it, the Black Friday sales are almost upon us - but this year brings a unique set of complications to trip up unwary shoppers.
The Black Friday sales traditionally marked the start of the Christmas shopping period in the US.
Now the idea has been imported to the UK, and instead is an excuse for many retailers to discount their products for a short time ahead of a separate shopping event towards Christmas.
Of course, this year many of us have no cash to spare for shopping during the worst cost of living crisis for decades.
But especially as Christmas approaches, many households are looking to Black Friday to help them bag some cheap presents - or just to buy essential items they can't afford at the moment.
But Black Friday sales are not always what they appear to be.
Join us today (November 24) at 3.15pm live on the Daily Mirror Facebook page
Many items are not actually cheaper during the November discount season, and you might be better off waiting for better deals nearer to Christmas.
Even worse, scammers abound during the Black Friday period.
Mirror Money reporter Sam Barker will be joined by Britain's Coupon Kid, Jordon Cox, for a Facebook Live question and answer to explain everything you need to know about how to really save money on Black Friday.
They will also explain how to spot if something is really a bargain, as well as how to help protect yourself from scammers trying to take your money.
Shoppers have been warned to beware of online shopping scams this Black Friday - especially around clothes, shoes and games consoles.
Experts at Lloyds Bank says the risk to online customers will rise by a third as the popular shopping event comes round.
The big risk is what banks call purchase scams - when someone is tricked into sending money directly to someone else’s account via bank transfer.
These scams have already risen in volume by 14% this year, with the average victim losing £500.
These scams often start on platforms such as Instagram or Facebook Marketplace, with victims lured in by the promise of cut-price or hard-to-find goods.
Purchase scams are the most common type of authorised fraud, with people aged 25 to 34 most likely to fall victim.
Lloyds Bank says the rate of these frauds around Black Friday and Cyber Monday is 29% higher than normal.
The research also reveals that buying different items creates different risks.
Reported scams from those buying clothes were up by 646%, with scam victims losing £193 on average.
Items to be wary of include jackets and tracksuits, Lloyds said.
Cases involving shoes and trainers rose by 291%, with £148 being the typical loss.
One of the most common brands used to lure in victims is Nike.
Fraud linked to the purchase of gaming consoles was up by 172% - with shoppers typically losing £176 to scammers.
Many cases involve the Nintendo Switch or Sony Playstation 5, which remains in short supply through genuine retailers.
