Check coffee-machine prices now before Black Friday, Dutch regulator advises

Black Friday shoppers considering a coffee machine should check its price now, before comparing any advertised discount with the amount shown as the original price, consumer guidance from the Netherlands’ competition regulator says.

This year Black Friday falls on 27 November, with Cyber Monday on 30 November. Retailers often start promotions earlier. The Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) says an advertised offer should generally be compared with the lowest price the seller charged in the previous 30 days. The regulator’s guidance includes exceptions, including products that have been on sale for less than 30 days and certain successive discounts.

The rule does not show whether a deal is good compared with prices from earlier in the year. Recording a machine’s price now can help shoppers make that comparison when promotions appear. The ACM has also urged consumers to check prices in advance and compare offers across online shops.

Other checks can help avoid buying the wrong model. The Nieuws.nl article advises comparing the full model number, since similar product names can refer to different specifications, and checking who the seller is on marketplaces such as bol or Amazon. For capsule machines, it says shoppers should also consider the ongoing cost of capsules and whether the machine uses a system that limits their choice.