Shopper Accuses Latvian Store of Inflating Price Before Black Friday Sale

A shopper in Latvia has shared an experience on the social network Threads that, in her view, shows how discounts are used during Black Friday, the big November shopping sale. She wrote that her husband had recently ordered a coffee machine for 501 euros, which was the full price with no discount. Now the same product is offered in the sale with a reduction from 670 euros to 547 euros, meaning it costs more than he paid.

In the comments she specified that the shop in question is Kafijas draugs ("Coffee Friend"), adding with humour that they would probably no longer be friends.

Other users' experiences

Several commenters said such practices are nothing new in Latvia and urged her to contact the Consumer Rights Protection Centre (PTAC). One commenter described an acquaintance's case from last year: a television was bought for about 800 euros during the Black Friday sale, and right after the campaign ended its price fell by almost 100 euros. After a complaint was filed, the retailer reportedly received a fine.

Another participant wrote that after experiencing Black Friday in the United States, discounts in Latvia seem laughable to her. Others noted that artificial price manipulation ahead of sales also occurs outside Latvia. One more commenter recalled an episode 20 years ago, when a coat on sale day got a new price tag with a large crossed-out sum, but the new price was identical to the earlier one.

What the rules say

Shoppers are reminded that when a retailer announces a price reduction, it must state the lowest price at which the product was sold in the 30 days before the discount was applied. If consumers notice obvious price manipulation, they can report it to PTAC.

The source does not include any comment from the store on the situation described by the shopper.