Beware Of Black Friday Deal Cancellations, Competition Bureau Warns

Even with the Canada Post strike threatening to hold up packages past the holidays, a large portion of Canadians plan on shopping online during Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

With massive discounts and sales happening all week long, the phenomena that are Black Friday and Cyber Monday is here to stay in Canada.

READ: The Best Black Friday And Cyber Monday Deals For Your Home

In 2017, Canadians took the web to research and buy more than 50 per cent of their Black Friday and Cyber Monday purchases. And this year, the figures seem to be even higher.

But online shopping can be risky. Canada’s Competition Bureau is warning Canadians to be smart about deals that look too good to be true.

READ: People Are Getting Caught In A Toronto Rental Scam, Here’s How You Can Avoid That

On Wednesday, the independent law enforcement agency issued an alert about cancelled discounts. According to the agency, cancelled discounts are a new advertising trend that’s on their radar.

How It Works

After seeing a deal too good to pass up on you make an online transaction just like a typical purchase. Shortly after your purchase is confirmed, you receive an email from the retailer indicating your order has been cancelled. The message will also note that the retailer cannot honour the advertised price for a variety of reasons.

READ: 5 Awesome Shopping Apps That Will Save You Money Over The Holidays

You might want to give the retailer the benefit of the doubt, thinking maybe they just ran out of stock, but when you refresh the page or return back later you'll notice the product is still available at a higher price.

Competition Bureau Canada says this bait and switch tactic is why it's so important for consumers to know their rights. And where to file their complaints.

What Should You Do

If you believe you've been misled by a retailer, contact the Competition Bureau and file a complaint by phone at 1-800-348-5358 or online.

Other actions you can take include:

Using a credit card that offers purchase protection when shopping online
Monitoring your credit card statements on a frequent basis to ensure no unknown charges have occurred
Keeping purchase confirmations and credit card statements.
Ensuring you are fully refunded for items unavailable at their posted sale price
Keeping all email exchanges with the retailer, especially if they stated they are offering they’ll give a full refund.
Verifying on the website whether or not the item is unavailable at the price offered. If the ad is still up, take a screenshot, and follow up with the retailer.
If the scenario above occurs, keep records and file a complaint with the Competition Bureau
Contact your local consumer protection agency to see if your provincial or territorial law requires the retailer to honour the advertised price.
Contacting the retailer immediately to question suspect transactions, especially if you have made a purchase and have not received the product nor confirmation of the product's delivery

Toronto

Beware Of Black Friday Deal Cancellations, Competition Bureau Warns

READ: The Best Black Friday And Cyber Monday Deals For Your Home

READ: People Are Getting Caught In A Toronto Rental Scam, Here’s How You Can Avoid That

How It Works

READ: 5 Awesome Shopping Apps That Will Save You Money Over The Holidays

What Should You Do

Trending

You may also like

​The receivership application was filed by KingSett Capital against Thind's Highline and Minoru Square projects.

Ontario has consistently ranked in the bottom half of provinces in terms of homebuilding per capita over the last six years — the data for 2024 being an indicator that things are only getting worse.

The potential lawsuit is coming from Mappro Realty, the owner of an adjacent property, over the staging area being used for construction of The One.

For those looking to lay down roots in Sherwood Park, a true best-of-both-worlds destination, now may be just the right time — as the community welcomes Hearthstone.

​The District Northwest project by Thind Properties is set for 13438 105A Avenue in Surrey and consists of two high-rise towers.

According to CMHC, housing starts across Canada shifted up from 223,391 units in September to 240,761 units this October, though the six-month trend remains "flat."

Chacon Developments is currently facing two receiverships and two of its other properties have been made available via power of sale.

Nestled amongst lush foliage, 32 Arjay Crescent, with its grand exterior and sophisticated interior designs, offers one of the most stunning homes in the neighbourhood.

Revised development plans from Pinnacle International ask for increased heights across the board, bringing the proposed storey-count up to 54, 44, and 15 storeys.

The Canada Lands Company and the MST Nations acquired the Jericho, Heather, and Marine Drive Lands in Fall 2014.

Though the Bank of Canada has delivered four interest rate cuts since June, including a healthy 50-bps cut in October, the growth in sales is being attributed to a jump in listings.

The program is called the Purpose-built Rental Homes Incentives Stream and, at a high level, it pairs qualifying projects with certain perks, including development charge deferrals and property tax reductions.

For those with a taste for life’s finest things, but who prefer a touch of edge, this three-bed, three-bath estate in Prince Edward County is a true sanctuary.

The building landscape has its challenges, but we’re still seeing ambitious developers, like Camrost Felcorp, lay their claim.

Camrost Felcorp's Upper East Village offers alluring homes for today’s down-sizers.

​The property, 98 James Street South in Hamilton, was placed under receivership in August and is shovel-ready, with development charges locked in at historical rates.

2024 © STOREYS Publishing Inc. | All Rights Reserved

The receivership application was filed by KingSett Capital against Thind's Highline and Minoru Square projects.

The District Northwest project by Thind Properties is set for 13438 105A Avenue in Surrey and consists of two high-rise towers.

The property, 98 James Street South in Hamilton, was placed under receivership in August and is shovel-ready, with development charges locked in at historical rates.