Black Friday and Cyber Monday were once single shopping days in the United States, but they’ve now turned into a month-long marketing event spreading across Europe, including Spain. From countdown clocks to endless “offers,” many so-called bargains aren’t what they seem. This reflection looks at how the hype has grown, why real value comes from honesty and good judgement, and how the same principles apply when buying property on the Costa del Sol.
It used to be so simple. Black Friday was the last Friday in November and of no particular significance apart from the fact that the weather was getting colder and the Christmas holiday season was looming ever closer.
In the United States, Black Friday was basically the day after Thanksgiving, when shops offered big one-day discounts to mark the start of the shopping season and to get people moving and out shopping after the holiday. Black Friday was then followed by Cyber Monday, which was aimed more at the online crowd.
The origins of Black Friday go back to Philadelphia in the late 1950s, when police used the term to describe the chaotic traffic jams caused by shoppers and tourists flooding into the city on the day after Thanksgiving. By the 1980s, the term Black Friday had taken on a financial meaning, symbolising the day when retailers’ accounts moved from being in the red (showing a loss) to in the black (showing profit) thanks to post-holiday sales.
Fast forward a few years and the whole world, including Spain, is now drowning in Black Friday offers that seem to start from the beginning of November.
The problem is that many of these deals are not really deals at all. The same prices often appear earlier in the year, or even better offers turn up in the summer sales. The term Black Friday has become more of a marketing label and an urge to purchase rather than an indication of a genuine bargain. It is a classic case of hype originating in America creeping into our everyday lives, designed to create urgency rather than offer real value.
There is nothing wrong with shopping for a good deal, in fact, it should be encouraged, but it is worth pausing before clicking the Buy Now button. Genuine value is not about countdown clocks or red banners. It is about honesty, service, and substance. That is something we have always believed in, and here on the Costa del Sol, thank goodness, life tends to move at a more leisurely pace and decisions are less driven by panic buying and apparent discounts.
When it comes to buying property, the same rules apply. A good deal is not a bargain if it does not provide everything you are looking for and need to make the property into a home. Make sure you have a wish list that you have prioritised, because there will always be an element of compromise. And be sure that your new home will meet all your needs. If you are looking for property on the Costa del Sol, we are here to help and we will do everything we can to make sure that you are happy with your purchase.
Sometimes it is nice to step back from the noise, enjoy a quieter November, and remember that not everything with a flashing Buy Now or Bargain Offer banner is a real opportunity.
If you would like help with your property search, please call us on (0034) 952 90 52 00, WhatsApp us, or email info@michael-moon.com.
Happy shopping,
Michael Moon
Michael Moon Spanish Property
