The consumer watchdog Which? has revealed that a number of supposed Black Friday bargains may be anything but.

After checking offers from major retailers such as Argos, Currys and Amazon, examples that earned its Don’t Buy label include certain child-safety car seats, a terrible TV and energy-guzzling fridges and freezers.

Steer clear of these car seats and TVs

Which? found that while the Graco Logico L child seat in the Amazon sale at a discounted price of £40 (down from £50) met the legal safety requirements, it scored poorly in the group’s own side-crash test, as did the Maxi Cosi Beryl child seat discounted to £270 from £319 at Little Angels Prams.

A new television for those World Cup matches is on many a bargain-hunter’s wish list, but Which? warned that one of the worst TVs it has ever tested was reduced from £349 to £249 at Argos and was still a waste of money. According to Which?’s TV expert, the Hisense 50A7100FTUK was “absolutely abysmal” with poor motion control and a palette that ran too red. 

Watch out for energy efficient savers

With energy savings on everyone’s mind these days, the Which? experts found discounts on fridges and freezers with poor energy efficiency that would raise your bills.

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It cited the Hoover HBFUP 130 NKE freezer, down from £369 to a sale price of £289 at Currys, had an F energy rating that could add almost £50 extra a year to energy costs. 

As for computers, Which? noted that the the Fusion5 T90B+ Pro, on sale for £160 at Amazon instead of £200, offered “terrible” performance and short-term guarantees.

‘Some Black Friday deals a letdown’

Natalie Hitchins, Which? head of home products and services, said: “Our research has found so-called Black Friday bargains that could end up being a big letdown and money down the drain for people who buy them.

“The cost-of-living crisis makes it even more important that people can make their money go further with savvy purchases in the sales. Only buy products if you really need them and do your research so you don’t end up with a certified dud.”

Black Friday shopping tips

Which? offered some tips for those braving the tills, including avoiding impulse purchases by sticking only to what you really need; avoid panicking over ‘buy now’ pressure because prices will probably go down again anyway; and make sure those positive product reviews aren’t fake.

And remember to check the policy on returning an item, just in case.