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For those who wonder what the world would look like with no rules, there’s nothing quite like a Black Friday bargain hunt to paint the picture. The occasion that’s meant to mark the start of the Christmas shopping season is notorious for turning into the most drama-filled spectacle of the year. After all, it comes with its own ridiculous situations where outrageous sales freak out the already frenzied buyers who can't help but take everything to the next level. I mean, who doesn’t love a "door-busting" deal?

However, the customers aren’t the only ones going into Black Friday with an insatiable appetite for steals. Businesses also know that the game is on. And they go way out of their way to make us believe we’re winning when, in fact, we’re not.

To show you what we mean, we at Bored Panda have gathered some of the most infuriating examples of companies manipulating, deceiving, and downright scamming customers with Black Friday deals. From price increases to less-than-good "discounts," scroll down to see some of the most infuriating attempts businesses try to part people with their hard-earned money. Be sure to upvote the most absurd examples and share your own experiences in the comments!

#1

This Black Friday Sale Didn't Do A Good Job Of Hiding Their Price Increase

This Black Friday Sale Didn't Do A Good Job Of Hiding Their Price Increase

Nurrsha Report

#2

Mom Found This Incredible Black Friday Deal

Mom Found This Incredible Black Friday Deal

NotPerryThePlatypus Report

As Black Friday kicks off the biggest holiday shopping weekend of the year, the pressure is high. Companies try to build anticipation and lure you into spending your savings out of fear of missing out. I mean, you probably already noticed the emails from retailers and brands that are shamelessly bombarding your inbox right now: "The big day is here," "Last chance," "Exclusive discounts," you name it.

For bargain hunters who try to snatch both desired and totally unnecessary items, it can be stressful as there’s a sense of anxiety that someone else will swipe them from right under their noses.

So people head out, go shopping, and they keep spending more and more each year. According to Deloitte’s survey of 1,200 adults, consumers will spend $500 on average during the week of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, a 12% bump from 2021.

#4

Black Friday Is This Price Tag But Nationwide

Black Friday Is This Price Tag But Nationwide

ChrisMess Report

#5

I Knew The Original Prices Were Increased For Black Friday

I Knew The Original Prices Were Increased For Black Friday

elforastero Report

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"With half of holiday budgets expected to be spent over the Thanksgiving shopping weekend, it’s a critical period for retailers. Consumers from every income level are looking to maximize their holiday budgets, therefore seeing value in the promotions set to last throughout the week," global leader of Deloitte Insights, Rod Sides, said.

#7

This Shows Up On Almost Every Product I Checked On Amazon Black Friday Deal. They Raked Up The Price In September In Preparation For Fake Discounts This November

This Shows Up On Almost Every Product I Checked On Amazon Black Friday Deal. They Raked Up The Price In September In Preparation For Fake Discounts This November

Scarrazaar Report

#8

Black Friday vs. Sinsay

Black Friday vs. Sinsay

holybrekker Report

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gargarita-mica-08 avatar
Boreddd🇺🇦
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sinsay is pretty much a scam anyways. Their quality isn't all that good, but the prices are quite high

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#9

Why I Hate "Black Friday Deals"

Why I Hate "Black Friday Deals"

MuffleMuch Report

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tduenkel avatar
Tim
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd be more concerned with that... totally legit looking brand name. Soooo many counterfeit items in Amazon anymore.

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But as examples in this list show, some businesses are out to make a profit in the most infuriating ways (and then definitely land on Santa’s naughty list!) The strategies retailers use to motivate sales, like inflating original prices and creating a false sense of urgency, are causing anger and mistrust in the business, even the legitimate ones, and Black Friday itself.

What these companies seem to forget is that consumers are smart enough to know when they get ripped off, and they take notice. Heck, many people have made it their mission to call out the ones scamming buyers and rightfully shame them online.

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#10

Old Navy Marks Up Before 50% Black Friday Sale

Old Navy Marks Up Before 50% Black Friday Sale

Rannelbrad Report

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cybertychobrahe avatar
Elwood Schwartz (it/that)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one isn't fair. Prices do go up and new tags generally aren't provided, so stores have to cover the old price. The markup could have been months or more prior and nothing to do with any promotions.

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#11

Lamp I Was Planning To Buy On Wayfair. $25 A Month Ago, $47 On Black Friday

Lamp I Was Planning To Buy On Wayfair. $25 A Month Ago, $47 On Black Friday

CrudeAsAButton Report

Shady deals and prices are otherwise known as false advertising, an act that involves companies giving out untrue or misleading information to get you to buy something or come to visit their store. This covers anything from product descriptions to pricing, quality, and more. Large organizations might promote benefits you won't actually get, advertise features you didn't expect (and, most likely, won't receive), or give out deceptive pricing.

#13

There Was An Attempt To Have A Black Friday Sale

There Was An Attempt To Have A Black Friday Sale

TheUconvict Report

Earlier, Bored Panda spoke about false marketing and its effects on consumers with Atul Minocha, a partner at the marketing consulting firm Chief Outsiders. According to him, false marketing has an effect on everyone; it's bad for the businesses that practice it and it's obviously bad for the customers.

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"But the reason I believe it’s bad for legitimate businesses that have an interest in staying in business for a long time is because false advertising erodes trust. And trust between a company and its customers is fundamental to any company’s long-term success," the author of the book called Lies, Damned Lies, and Marketing: Separate Fact from Fiction and Drive Growth told us.

"[False advertising/marketing] simply builds distrust. In fact, if a customer has been through this a lot, she or he will start distrusting even good and legitimate messages."

#16

Black Friday Sale? 20% Off At Under Armor Outlet On Item Marked Up More Than Typical Price

Black Friday Sale? 20% Off At Under Armor Outlet On Item Marked Up More Than Typical Price

minnesota-terp Report

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#17

Here Is Why Black Friday Is A Joke. 20% Off Everything At American Eagle. Oh What's Underneath This Sticker Here

Here Is Why Black Friday Is A Joke. 20% Off Everything At American Eagle. Oh What's Underneath This Sticker Here

FusionZ06 Report

#18

As Black Friday Looms, Curry's Seem To Have Begun Inflating Their Prices Just To Drop Them. These Photos Are Taken 4 Days Apart, And It Wasn't In The Sale

As Black Friday Looms, Curry's Seem To Have Begun Inflating Their Prices Just To Drop Them. These Photos Are Taken 4 Days Apart, And It Wasn't In The Sale

JumboSnausage Report

When asked why deceptive marketing is used so widely, Minocha doesn't actually think it forms the majority. "In other words, most of the marketing is legitimate. Unfortunately, a few bad apples can create a lot of stink and distrust," he explained. Having unfortunate buying experiences may spark doubts that lead customers into thinking that all marketing is more or less self-serving.

However, some companies still choose to sell products with deceptive prices, hide disclaimers on billboards and posters, lie on product packaging and deceive their customers into signing agreements without asking to read them first.

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"People who practice [false marketing] still do it because, perhaps, they are what we might call fly-by-night operators who are really not interested in long-term success. They are only interested in short-term and immediate gains," Minocha said.

#19

How Black Friday Deals Work

How Black Friday Deals Work

Jayvie97 Report

#20

Best Buy Not Adding Properly. Watch Your Black Friday Charges

Best Buy Not Adding Properly. Watch Your Black Friday Charges

treeblockbreaker Report

#21

Us Brits Don’t Really Get Black Friday

Us Brits Don’t Really Get Black Friday

rob_gfy Report

When it comes to how consumers should react when they see deceptive marketing practices, the expert advised people to stay vigilant. If you have personally suffered from it, you should do at least one of these two things (maybe even both): "One, file a complaint with the authorities. And two, use the power of social media to call out any misleading marketing encountered," he noted.

#22

Canadian Walmart Doesn’t Quite Understand How Black Friday Works

Canadian Walmart Doesn’t Quite Understand How Black Friday Works

smrto0 Report

#23

I Finally Got It With The Black Friday. It's Really A Great Thing For Amazon. Price 2 Weeks Ago vs. Price In "Black Friday Week"

I Finally Got It With The Black Friday. It's Really A Great Thing For Amazon. Price 2 Weeks Ago vs. Price In "Black Friday Week"

ChriTraeumer Report

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lauralett50 avatar
lauralett50
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why can't these companies just stop trying to make us think something is a good deal!?! Frustrating.

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#24

These Black Friday Sales Are Just Too Good To Pass Up

These Black Friday Sales Are Just Too Good To Pass Up

SirBordeaux Report

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Lastly, Minocha is asking you not to reject all marketing. "I would like to add that most marketing is actually good. Great marketing starts with understanding the customer. This helps customers receive what they would want to receive," he said.

"Pull out bad marketing and make sure it’s not repeated (by reporting to authorities, and by shaming the companies via social media). And reward legitimate and good marketing by giving business to companies that practice this," Minocha concluded.

#26

I Took A Screenshot Of A TV I Wanted So I Could Check Back During Black Friday And See If It Went On Sale. It’s The Same Price But Amazon Marked It As A “Black Friday Deal”

I Took A Screenshot Of A TV I Wanted So I Could Check Back During Black Friday And See If It Went On Sale. It’s The Same Price But Amazon Marked It As A “Black Friday Deal”

WatAb0utB0b Report

#27

Bestbuy Really Cracking Out The Best Deals For Black Friday

Bestbuy Really Cracking Out The Best Deals For Black Friday

HimalayanJoe Report

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unicornkyleung2020 avatar
ginger a. freckleburger
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well the first pic is from when there was a sale but it still doesn't make sense as Black Friday is supposed to be a bigger sale with deeper discounts.

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#28

Found This Leading Up To Black Friday

Found This Leading Up To Black Friday

astrocm14 Report

#29

Putting A Ridiculous Markup On Your Cheap Headphones To Bring Them To The Top Of Early Black Friday Deals On Amazon

Putting A Ridiculous Markup On Your Cheap Headphones To Bring Them To The Top Of Early Black Friday Deals On Amazon

Silky_Nipples Report

#30

Black Friday Special

Black Friday Special

RandomFlotsam Report

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Passerby
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is more like a joke. I don't think this belongs to the post.

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Note: this post originally had 98 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.