Think Black Friday Spam Was Out of Control? You Have No Idea
By all accounts, Black Friday has come to be known as the biggest shopping day of the year. With millions of shoppers converging on retailers to snag the best deals, it’s no surprise that online retailers try to get in on the action. However, while many online retailers try to offer legitimate deals, some take it too far and engage in aggressive spamming tactics.
The worst offenders tend to be the big retailers, with CB2, Anthropologie, and Victoria’s Secret leading the pack. These retailers send out countless emails, each one boasting about the “amazing” deals they have to offer. However, a closer look reveals that the deals are often nothing more than thinly veiled attempts to get the shopper to buy more, buy now, and buy expensive gift wrap or other add-ons.
And it’s not just emails. The worst offenders will also employ various other tactics, such as pop-up ads, automated chat bots, and even outright lying to get the shopper to click through to their website. While some may see these tactics as effective, they are, at best, annoying and, at worst, downright deceptive.
For example, one retailer may send out an email boasting about a 50% off sale. Sounds great, right? But upon closer inspection, you’ll find that the deal only applies to select items, and even then, only if you use a specific code at checkout. And let’s not forget the fine print – you’ll only get 10% off the first item, and 5% off every item thereafter.
Another tactic is to claim that a sale is “limited time” or “only for today.” This may create a false sense of urgency, tempting the shopper to grab the item before they realize the true deal. But upon closer inspection, you’ll find that the sale was never truly limited, and that the retailer simply changed the price after the initial hype died down.
But the tactics don’t end there. Some retailers even go as far as to create fake “scarcity” by claiming that an item is “selling out quickly.” This can create a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out), causing the shopper to click through to the website in a panic. However, upon arriving at the site, you’ll find that the item is still in stock, and that the retailer just wants to create a sense of urgency to get you to make a hasty purchase.
And don’t even get us started on the automated chat bots. These can be especially annoying, as they seem to pop up at the most inopportune moments to offer “help” or to remind you to make a purchase. But more often than not, they’re just trying to guilt trip you into buying something you don’t really want.
In the end, it all comes down to one thing – honesty. Retailers should aim to provide legitimate deals and offers that genuinely benefit the shopper, not just their bottom line. By doing so, they can earn the trust of their customers and avoid the negative effects of aggressive spamming tactics.
But what can you do to protect yourself from these tactics? Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Always read the fine print – or, better yet, read the entire email before making any purchasing decisions.
- Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true – they often are.
- Use price comparison tools to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
- Unsubscribe from newsletters and promotional emails to avoid future spam.
And remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. By being savvy and informed, you can avoid the pitfalls of aggressive spamming tactics and make the most of your Black Friday shopping experience.
Avoid Black Friday scams and stay informed with our ultimate guide to shopping safely online.
Learn more about how spam affects e-commerce, from source.
TAGS: black friday spam, online shopping, retail marketing
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