It’s the most wonderful (and hectic and confusing) shopping day of the year: Black Friday is here yet again! Perhaps you’ve been waiting weeks or even months to finally get your hands on a few great tech devices or accessories, either for yourself or for gifts for loved ones. This is a smart idea but not all sales offers are the same, especially when it comes to tech goodies. Before you run out and grab the first Apple item on sale, heed the advice of experts in the know: avoid these two mistakes that Apple experts say you shouldn’t make on Black Friday.
Mistake 1: Buying a Fake Or Third-Party Apple Charger
You’re going to find outfits all over the place that are selling third-party Apple chargers at amazing prices — but you should avoid them at all costs, says Martin Betch, the co-founder at Hi-van.
“Not only are they a waste of money, but you could also end up getting an unsafe charger that can harm your iPhone or iPad,” Betch said. “If you buy one, make sure you check that it is not fraying or overheating, as these are signs of a bad product. Also, they void your Apple device’s warranty, so be careful.”
According to Tech Expert Jimmy Huh, CEO and founder of JH SEO, this rule doesn’t just apply to chargers, either.
“There are always a few unscrupulous businesses that take advantage of Black Friday sales to sell counterfeit or used Apple products,” Huh said. “To avoid being scammed, only buy Apple products from authorized resellers. You may find a list of authorized Apple resellers on the Apple website.”
Mistake 2: Buying Apple Products That Aren’t Compatible With Current Devices
No matter how much cheaper it is, buying an Apple product that isn’t compatible with your current devices will prove a mistake.
“Before you buy any Apple product, make sure it’s compatible with the devices you already have,” Huh said. “For example, if you have an iPhone 6s, you can’t use an iPhone 7 case. Similarly, if you have a 13-inch MacBook Pro, you can’t use a 15-inch MacBook Pro charger. Check the compatibility of an Apple product before you buy it to avoid any headaches later.”
Bonus Tip: Don’t Buy An Apple Product Just Because It’s On Sale
“With Black Friday sales, it’s tempting to buy an Apple product just because it’s discounted,” Huh said. “However, you should only buy an Apple product if you were planning to purchase it anyway. Just because an Apple product is on sale doesn’t mean it’s a good deal. Do your research ahead of time and know what price you’re willing to pay for the Apple product you want.”
Happy tech shopping this Black Friday!
