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Brace yourselves, Pandas—Black Friday is upon us! Traditionally, the Friday after Thanksgiving marks the start of the Christmas shopping season in the United States, as well as in many parts of the world. Unfortunately, this period brings out some of the worst traits in people: greed, aggression, and envy.

Our team at Bored Panda has compiled a list of photos featuring some of the most epic Black Friday fails ever. From stores ransacked by customers hunting for the biggest sales to companies trying to pull the wool over crazed shoppers’ eyes, there’s a bit of everything. Scroll down for a taste of what discounts can do to someone if they’re not careful.

#1

A Black Friday "Bargain"

A Black Friday "Bargain"

Zoykah Report

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Francois
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A lot of Black Friday deals are like that. Still people fall for it. Or they are selling an older model or deal is less good than a previous deal.

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    #2

    My Local Macy's Store After Black Friday Sale

    My Local Macy's Store After Black Friday Sale

    Dankaay Report

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    Charlie the Cat
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Where do you even start to clean that up? I think I would just quit my job.

    sbj
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is just vandalism, some people have no respect for retail workers

    Kat Lyle
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    People commenting that the youth are so lazy about cleaning that s**t up... perhaps if people didn't behave like animals and create that mess because they don't have to clean it up, there would be less complaints. But USA pretends to be grateful for all they have on Thursday then become a pack of rabid beasts the next day leaving a trail of destruction in their wake, including physical fights and people literally stealing stuff out of the hands of kids. Have a f*****g word with yourself before you say youth are lazy.

    Craig Boddys
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Like that in our store, not quite as bad, but close most days. Basically, 99% of customers are arseholes.

    Irishwoman abroad
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Primark every Saturday... I don't even try to buy women's clothes there anymore, you'd never find anything in all that mess, and half the stuff is dirty from being flung on the floor.

    Tabitha
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have never understood the sense of Black Friday. The “deals” are all artificial. You could buy the items at a regular sale for the same, or even less. Nowadays you can find them online without having to deal with the nasty crowds—and they DO get nasty. Give me Cyber Monday anytime. Besides, I long ago started doing my Christmas shopping early, after shopping late and fighting crowds in the mall when I was in my mid-twenties (so mid-eighties). I discovered catalog shopping, which trained me to start early, because it was all done by mail and you had to factor in time to return something for an exchange. Additionally, if I saw something in a store that I know someone on my list would like I’d buy it, even if it was only September. Of course, there is a bit of nail biting to that, since the person you’re buying it for could buy it for themself, for someone else could buy it and give it to them first, and totally submarine you. Then again, you can always put it on eBay or Etsy and recoup at least a part of your costs. Regardless, I like not having to scramble at the last minute to find gifts for everyone on my list. Makes Christmas way less hectic, so I can actually relax and enjoy it.

    Heather Vandegrift
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Retail stores with a bunch of tables of folded clothes should require managers to stand there and keep everything folded during sales like this. Even those of us who want to keep things looking neat can never get them perfectly put back because the clothes are folded with those boards that make creases straight and everything the same size!

    Andrea Kehe
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Having worked retail... this is a nightmare and certainly does not have to happen...people are pigs

    Laura Williams
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They aren't paid to clean up after you at least put it back where you got it.

    Valek Fermiga
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's pictures like this which makes me soooooo " proud " to be human....

    PitbullmomAF
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I used to manage a women's clothing store in a mall. Before I quit (quit retail altogether) I made sure to take a picture of my store on black Friday to remind myself why I'll never go back!

    Amy T
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This looks more like a fight broke out. Unless people have gotten worse since I worked retail.

    LargeMarge
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When I worked at Walmart, I used to work in the apparel section. People would leave it a mess like this in on black Fridays. I would just scoop it all up and put it in one cart. Then I would separate everything and then put it up. That is the only way to deal with it. People can be aholes because they know, someone will clean it up.

    Lara Verne
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Black Friday "sales" needs to stop. It just brings more inconsiderate people to the stores and adds a lot of work for store employees. Imagine cleaning that mess.

    MakeupMama68
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ugh. I just had a horrible flashback to my retail days. It teaches you a lot about how much people suck.

    Jessica SpeLangm
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Personally, if I owned the store, I would be locking the doors and telling the offenders to clean up the mess they made. I'm not making my workers do all that.

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    #3

    My Friend Saw A Baby Being Born At A Walmart On Black Friday

    My Friend Saw A Baby Being Born At A Walmart On Black Friday

    crass_anon Report

    The National Retail Federation reports that 196.7 million Americans shopped in stores and online during the five-day holiday in 2022, from Thanksgiving Day to Cyber Monday.

    That’s more than the jaw-dropping 179.8 million shoppers in 2021, 186.4 million in 2020, and 189.6 million in 2019.

    #4

    When You're At The Hospital And It Dawns On You That Today Is Black Friday

    When You're At The Hospital And It Dawns On You That Today Is Black Friday

    emtcj Report

    #5

    People Who Do This

    People Who Do This

    IramFlorCamacho Report

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    The Scout
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In America this gets you a "Have a nice day, sir". Everywhere else it's "You are banned for life. Please leave immediately." Some retail workers I know would even add "...after you have cleaned up this mess".

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    #6

    Black Friday At Walmart

    Black Friday At Walmart

    The line decided to cross the street, blocking traffic. It extended down the parking lane rather than turning down the sidewalk like normal human beings.

    Alldamage Report

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    Broadly speaking, Black Friday tends to be (one of) the busiest shopping days of the year in the US… as well as in some other parts of the world. However, you’d be wrong to think that Black Friday begins and ends on… well, Black Friday.

    The shopping ‘holiday’ has a tendency to ‘bleed’ into the surrounding weeks… and even months (yes! Months!).

    #8

    What A Great Black Friday Deal

    What A Great Black Friday Deal

    Fugim Report

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    #9

    I Captured The Essense Of Black Friday In One Picture

    I Captured The Essense Of Black Friday In One Picture

    rusty_L_shackleford Report

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    Ali H M Salehuddin
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just curious. They do not offer free deliveries over there in the US? Here, anything that does not fit inside a car usually comes with free delivery so long the distance is less than 50km radius from the store.

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    For instance, the Monday right after Black Friday is known as Cyber Monday. Retailers and companies continue to sell products and services at a discount. Some of them go further, celebrating Cyber Week.

    Others, however, go even beyond that.

    #10

    My Partner Ordered Our First Ever "Big Purchase" On The Black Friday Sale. Apparently, The Delivery Guy Dropped It Down The Stairs And Ran

    My Partner Ordered Our First Ever "Big Purchase" On The Black Friday Sale. Apparently, The Delivery Guy Dropped It Down The Stairs And Ran

    BabyinAjar Report

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    #11

    I Finally Bought Myself A Security Camera On Black Friday From Target After Dealing With A Psycho. However, I Got Rice Instead

    I Finally Bought Myself A Security Camera On Black Friday From Target After Dealing With A Psycho. However, I Got Rice Instead

    Shadowflare000 Report

    CNN reports that in 2023, retailers “threw out the playbook,” rolling out deals in a similar vein as Black Friday weeks in advance. What this means is that this year, the impact of Black Friday itself might be lessened.

    After all, if you’ve already hunted down the best deals of the season in advance, you might not want or need anything else. If you bought a new laptop/TV/console, you don’t need a second one.

    #14

    Black Friday At A Walmart In Alabama. So Many People Waiting To Just Get In

    Black Friday At A Walmart In Alabama. So Many People Waiting To Just Get In

    tjburns85 Report

    #15

    FedEx "Efficiency". I Live In Oregon And Ordered This Package On Black Friday

    FedEx "Efficiency". I Live In Oregon And Ordered This Package On Black Friday

    mtheory11 Report

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    According to Parija Kavilanz from CNN, the November and December months account for around a fifth of retailers’ sales for the entire year. This means that the gift-buying season is incredibly important for companies’ sales and profits.

    Retailers who fail to take advantage of the seasonal rush might find that they’re far behind their competitors.

    #18

    This Chair I Was Going To Buy Was £169.99 A Few Hours Before Amazon's Black Friday "Sale" Started

    This Chair I Was Going To Buy Was £169.99 A Few Hours Before Amazon's Black Friday "Sale" Started

    XcoldmineX Report

    Marshal Cohen, the chief retail industry analyst with market research firm Circana, told CNN that Black Friday is now more akin to ‘Grey Friday.’ “The dilution of the power of Black Friday has begun again this year. Gone is the sense of urgency and excitement. But the quest for value is still there,” the specialist explained.

    As the shopping ‘holiday’ spreads out over a longer period of time, what this means, in practical terms, is that there’s less urgency for shoppers to rush to their local retail stores. Though you’ll still find people camping and queuing up before opening time and fighting over goods, this year, all of this might be slightly muted (well, comparatively). There’s slightly less competition.

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    #19

    Deals Like This

    Deals Like This

    Costco sales are unbeatable right now. They're next to the tires, in case you were wondering.

    joonbug2010 Report

    #20

    Black Friday Sales Are Fire This Year

    Black Friday Sales Are Fire This Year

    JayBowdy Report

    What’s also changed the dynamic of Black Friday is the continued growth of online shopping. This makes deals incredibly accessible to anyone with a smartphone, a computer, and an internet connection.

    When you’re offered awesome deals with (hopefully, insured) delivery straight to your door, why would you want to risk being crushed by several hundred other shoppers at a physical store? Convenience is a huge factor here.

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    #22

    Black Friday, The One Day Saving 30 Bucks Is More Important Than Your Baby's Well Being

    Black Friday, The One Day Saving 30 Bucks Is More Important Than Your Baby's Well Being

    uvasif28 Report

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    Dont Sellmyinfo
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I mean…..from the perspective of a mother, stuff like this happens. It’s either this, don’t buy it, attempt to push a stroller and a cart at the same time, or ask someone to go with you. I’ve done the stroller w/cart method because of judgements from others like those shown here. BTW, those judging never offered to help me. Babywearing isn’t an option for some of us and we still have s**t to do while caring for our children alone. The baby looks safe in the carrier made to withstand the impact of a car accident and Mom is standing right infront of them. I’m more concerned about that box hitting mom in the face, or go crashing to the ground. Sometimes saving money on gifts, groceries, clothing, formula, or any other item commonly purchased by parents ends up looking like this. If the photographer cared at all about the safety of the baby, they would offer to carry the box on top. Instead, they’ve chosen to shame someone and blast the picture on the internet.

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    #23

    My Friend Ordered Two Fitbits During The Amazon Black Friday Sale, But Got Paper Plates Instead

    My Friend Ordered Two Fitbits During The Amazon Black Friday Sale, But Got Paper Plates Instead

    Parish87 Report

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    Oais Wright
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just curious - is there any laws that obligate suppliers to deliver promised products to a buyer, or can they simply deny to give any compensation or just anything in general in situations like this? There should be, I think there are, but I'm no expert in that

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    #24

    When You Go Shopping On Black Friday But Forget Your Child's Stroller

    When You Go Shopping On Black Friday But Forget Your Child's Stroller

    Kawaii_ Report

    CNN notes that some retailers may be worried about rising prices, higher interest and mortgage rates, and Americans having to restart repaying their student loans which were frozen for many during the Covid-19 pandemic.

    This means that some companies respond by turning Black Friday into a massively long event, hoping to draw in more customers.

    #25

    Target Has These Up All Over Their Electronics Section. Guess Which Games Are Specifically Excluded From The Offer

    Target Has These Up All Over Their Electronics Section. Guess Which Games Are Specifically Excluded From The Offer

    ilebeck Report

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    #27

    Such A Great Deal. Amazon vs. Manufacturer's Retail Price

    Such A Great Deal. Amazon vs. Manufacturer's Retail Price

    I've been waiting to buy this on Amazon, assuming there would be some sort of Black Friday discount. But no, the price stayed at $150, but they added a crossed-out price, which is even higher than the actual manufacturer's suggested retail price.

    zubrowka1 Report

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    Verena
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I always try to buy from the manfacturer's websites. It usually is cheaper and lots of less hassle in case of problems. The more people need to earn money between manufacturer and customer, the more expensive a product gets. If not, something in this chain isn't right.

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    The upside for shoppers is that they get access to better deals for longer and have to compete less with others. The downside is elementary fatigue: if it’s always sale season, then it doesn’t matter much.

    In the meantime, BBC Worklife notes that Black Friday has become shorthand for any deep-discount shopping event, whether it happens in October or… July!

    #28

    These Dudes Are Trying To Put Two 65" TVs On The Top Of Their Honda Civic. Just Unreal

    These Dudes Are Trying To Put Two 65" TVs On The Top Of Their Honda Civic. Just Unreal

    Coachmun Report

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    #30

    My Friend Ordered Two Elgato Game Capture Cards At $180 On Black Friday, And Amazon Sent Him Two Empty Boxes

    My Friend Ordered Two Elgato Game Capture Cards At $180 On Black Friday, And Amazon Sent Him Two Empty Boxes

    ishan0102 Report

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    The Scout
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Most common cause for this is actually Amazon's return policy - or the human tendency to use it for scams. People order the game, demand a refund, send back the empty case as a product, looking unopeened, and some underpaid workers restock them without opening. When a later customer orders, they are sent out again.

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    “Black Friday really is a huge deal. But Black Friday is no longer a single-day event,” David Bussak, managing director at the global business advisory firm AlixPartners, told the BBC's Brennan Doherty.

    For some deliciously accurate and funny Black Friday memes, check out Bored Panda's previous article when you've enjoyed this list to the fullest.

    #31

    They Told Me They Are Waiting For Black Friday. What Do They Need That Bad? I'm Sure They Could Get It Online

    They Told Me They Are Waiting For Black Friday. What Do They Need That Bad? I'm Sure They Could Get It Online

    Disguising Report

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    Jay Son
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Don't know if people still do it here, but up until a few years ago, a lot of people just did not even so much for the discounts but for the entire experience. -_-

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    #32

    The Majority Of Stores At "Toronto Premium Outlet" Have Put Stickers Over Cheaper Prices Or Have Changed Tags For The Black Friday Weekend

    The Majority Of Stores At "Toronto Premium Outlet" Have Put Stickers Over Cheaper Prices Or Have Changed Tags For The Black Friday Weekend

    TheTrueHolyOne Report

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    Robert T
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm dubious about this one. Quite a lot of fashion brands ship items pre-tagged in one currency and have to put a sticker on for the local currency if it is different. Unless you show me that that $39.99 is in CAD, it doesn't necessarily indicate a higher price.

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    #33

    The New TV I Bought For Black Friday From Walmart

    The New TV I Bought For Black Friday From Walmart

    nwballer503 Report

    #34

    Black Friday Parking. This Guy Parks On The Plant Bed In Between The Handicap Parking

    Black Friday Parking. This Guy Parks On The Plant Bed In Between The Handicap Parking

    hansol93 Report

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    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sadly enough, I have to give him credit for not taking the handicapped spaces.

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    #35

    This Sums Up Black Friday

    This Sums Up Black Friday

    imconfusedman Report

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    Jason
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I run into this a lot with "bulk"item purchases. Sometimes buying a couple of the smaller ones is more economical if a bit of packaging waste

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    #36

    This Occurred On Black Friday At A Local Shopping Mall In Lancaster, Pennsylvania

    This Occurred On Black Friday At A Local Shopping Mall In Lancaster, Pennsylvania

    inspectorgadget03 Report

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    amy lee
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    David Attenborough: "here we are, during peak mating season of vehicle vehicularis, the paler juvenile attempts to mount his mate but slips, which might result in the frenzy commonly referred to as 'the pile up'".

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    #37

    Apparently Someone Got A Little Too Excited And Lost Their Underwear In The Bathroom On Black Friday

    Apparently Someone Got A Little Too Excited And Lost Their Underwear In The Bathroom On Black Friday

    BabyHuey Report

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    Hippopotamuses
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's those pant wettingly exciting specials. They prove too much for some people.

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    #38

    My Coworker Went A Little Crazy On HDMI Cables This Black Friday

    My Coworker Went A Little Crazy On HDMI Cables This Black Friday

    ItsSnowingOutside Report

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    #42

    A Casualty Of Black Friday

    A Casualty Of Black Friday

    tonermcfly Report

    #43

    My Awesome Cousins Bought Me A Nice Big 55" TV Last Night, As A Thank You And As A "We Will Be Spending Lots More Time At Your House" Gift

    My Awesome Cousins Bought Me A Nice Big 55" TV Last Night, As A Thank You And As A "We Will Be Spending Lots More Time At Your House" Gift

    Two minutes in, the picture goes out. Get it outta here kids. Try again. 

    CaliGirlKandi Report

    #44

    This Shopping Cart Traffic During Black Friday. People Are Going Crazy

    This Shopping Cart Traffic During Black Friday. People Are Going Crazy

    reddit.com Report

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    Tessa
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I keep thinking that these overcrowded pictures are AI generated, they are so chaotic and full!

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    #45

    Black Friday Be Like

    Black Friday Be Like

    NGNLZero Report

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    Libstak
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What is with the commas everywhere when there should be decimal points?

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    #46

    Someone Was Way Too Excited For Black Friday Deals

    Someone Was Way Too Excited For Black Friday Deals

    labmom328 Report

    #47

    Human Decency Is Gone During Black Friday

    Human Decency Is Gone During Black Friday

    Althunter_man86 Report

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    Some Weirdo
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To everyone out there, please remember human decency this Black Friday. Just take a min to put stuff back please

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    #48

    I Spent 30€ On This Thing

    I Spent 30€ On This Thing

    Bean-King Report

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    Antonia
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And I don’t even think that was the material it was even meant to be in the first place.

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    #49

    Thank Goodness For Black Friday Deals

    Thank Goodness For Black Friday Deals

    AllTheWayToWrigley Report

    #50

    Black Friday In Portugal

    Black Friday In Portugal

    Compendyum Report

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    OmMi
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    First picture shows €719.99 instead of €899.99. There is a possibility that the second picture is something like €599.97 instead of €649.99 or something. It is possible that the picture was cut or not taken properly. EDIT: Especially that the description shows 4GB RAM, 64GB memory and features like dual sim. It just does not seem like a store would raise the price from 50 to 600 for an item.

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