Looking for a big-ticket bargain or a bit of money off your Christmas shopping? We asked experts about finding genuine deals and avoiding dud buys in fashion, skincare, tech and more

• The best deals – or buyers’ remorse? How to make sure you’re not ripped off on Black Friday and Cyber Monday

Whether you’re after a half-price smartphone or a designer coat that won’t break the bank, Black Friday can be excellent for finding that bargain. Retailers want to flog off old stock, attract new customers and maximise sales of seasonal items, so they often drop prices to an irresistible rock bottom.

But while there are genuinely sensational deals to be found on and around Black Friday (which falls on 29 November this year), the annual discount jamboree is mined with pitfalls. When a TV is £800 off and “nearly sold out”, you might not stop to read its small print or even check that it can fit in your living room.