Black Friday 2026 falls on Friday 27 November, followed by Cyber Monday on Monday 30 November. During these days, discount badges and countdown timers appear everywhere. If you are unsure whether a deal is genuine, here is how to check before you add anything to your basket.
A crossed-out price is not enough
On Amazon, the struck-through price shown next to the current price is a reference figure supplied by the seller. It may reflect an old recommended price, a price used months ago, or a price that few buyers ever paid. A high crossed-out price does not prove that an offer is good value.
The EU Omnibus rules, applied since 2022, add a useful safeguard. When a seller announces a price reduction, the reference must be the lowest price charged in the 30 days before the reduction. If that reference is itself high, the discount shown is less meaningful. The rule does not cover every situation, but it gives you a clear starting point.
Compare with history, not with the label
The most reliable method is to look at price history over a longer period. Two benchmarks are particularly useful:
- the average price over the last 90 days, which shows the product's usual level;
- the lowest price over the last 90 days, which indicates the threshold at which an offer becomes genuinely interesting.
An offer close to the average is not a bargain, even when it is presented as a special event price. An offer close to the recent low deserves serious consideration, especially if no newer version of the product has been announced.
Flash deals need caution
Flash deals are limited in time and in quantity. They can be real, but the countdown often pushes people to buy without comparing. Before you confirm, check three things: the price before the deal, the stock level and the seller. If the item is sold by a third-party seller, also compare delivery costs and return conditions.
Compare across Amazon Europe
The same product can sell for different prices on Amazon.fr, Amazon.de, Amazon.it, Amazon.es or Amazon.co.uk. The differences come from each market's pricing strategy, local stock and delivery charges. Buying from another European Amazon site can be worthwhile, but check delivery, any customs duties, the warranty and the returns policy.
Plug types and keyboard layouts also vary between countries. An electrical product bought abroad must be compatible with your home supply. The Safqio guide to buying on another European Amazon covers these points and explains that delivery is not always included in the price shown.
Prepare before the event
The best protection against misleading reference prices is preparation. A few simple habits help a lot:
- set price alerts on the products you really want, several weeks before the event;
- build your basket in advance, so you can decide calmly;
- note the average and recent lowest price of each product so you can judge quickly;
- check the returns conditions, which may be extended around the end of the year. Confirm the exact terms on the product page, as they depend on the seller.
Safqio's Black Friday pages
To follow the offers of the period, visit the Safqio Black Friday and Cyber Monday pages. You will find products compared across several countries, with up-to-date prices shown in each card. These comparisons do not replace your own checks, but they save time.
Summary
A genuine price drop shows up in concrete details: a credible reference price, a comparison with the 90-day average and lowest price, a reliable seller and clear return conditions. The crossed-out price is only a starting point. Take the time to verify before buying, especially when a countdown is pressing you to act.
