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Black Friday 2026 falls on Friday 27 November, and Cyber Monday on 30 November. Many Irish and UK retailers start their sales a week or more earlier, so “Black Friday week” really begins around Monday 23 November.
Not every “deal” is a real one. Here’s how to tell the difference, and what Irish law says about sale prices and returns.
Key dates for Black Friday 2026
- Black Friday: Friday 27 November 2026
- Cyber Monday: Monday 30 November 2026
- Early deals: many shops start from mid-to-late November
- Christmas delivery: order bigger items by mid-December to be safe
The 30-day rule: what a “was” price must mean in Ireland
Since 2022, when an Irish retailer advertises a price reduction, the “before” price must be the lowest price it charged in the previous 30 days. That stops shops from raising a price just before a sale to make the discount look bigger.
This is enforced. After checking the 2023/24 winter sales, including Black Friday, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) took prosecutions against several well-known retailers over how they showed sale prices.
“Was” price vs RRP: not the same thing
Many listings, especially online, compare the price to the RRP (recommended retail price) rather than a real previous selling price. An RRP is set by the manufacturer, and the product may rarely sell at that price. The CCPC has warned that presenting an RRP as if it were a recent selling price is a problem.
So if a deal says “50% off RRP”, check what the product actually sold for recently. On DealDepot we always say whether a crossed-out price is an RRP or a real previous price, and we only call something the “lowest price” when we know it is.
How to spot a genuine Black Friday deal
- Check the price history. If the price was the same a month ago, it isn’t a Black Friday deal.
- Compare stores. The same product is often cheaper elsewhere, even without a “sale” label.
- Watch out for older models. Some bargains are last year’s version. That can still be good value, but know what you’re buying.
- Check delivery costs and times, especially from UK sellers.
- Read the cons, not just the pros. Low price doesn’t mean it suits you.
- Set a budget before you start. Countdown timers are designed to rush you.
Your rights when you buy online
- 14-day cooling-off period: when you buy online from a business in Ireland or the EU, you can usually change your mind within 14 days of delivery and get a full refund. You then have another 14 days to send it back.
- Exceptions: personalised items, perishable goods and digital content you’ve started using.
- Return postage: you may have to pay it unless the shop offers free returns. Shops can’t charge restocking fees for cooling-off returns.
- Faulty goods: a faulty product is covered by your consumer rights regardless of the sale.
Buying from UK websites after Brexit
UK sites can still be good value, but check where the seller is based. Customs charges or VAT can apply on goods coming from Great Britain, and returns can be harder to enforce. Buying from Irish or EU-based shops (including Amazon.ie) usually avoids these issues.
Where to find our Black Friday picks
We’ll be updating our Black Friday deals page throughout Black Friday week with deals we’ve checked. Join our Telegram to get them as they drop.
This is general information, not legal advice. For your rights in a specific case, see the CCPC or the European Consumer Centre Ireland.
Sources: CCPC: sales discounts in the spotlight, Law Society Gazette: retailers must be clear on prior price, European Consumer Centre Ireland: changing your mind online.