# Black Friday 2026: check the previous price

Check previous prices, member discounts and total costs before Black Friday 2026. See a worked example and what to do about misleading offers.

Canonical: https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/black-friday-forpris-tilbud-norge
Language: en
Publisher: SamfunnPrep
Author: Hlib Suslov
Published: 2026-10-05T16:12:12.683+00:00
Modified: 2026-10-05T22:22:50.32911+00:00
AI use policy: https://samfunnprep.no/ai-policy.txt

## Key takeaways

- At least 30 days For ordinary goods, the previous price reflects the shop’s lowest price during the relevant period, including prices for large member groups.
- Check the total price Compare the same model, delivery and conditions before choosing a deal.
- Document the advertisement Save the date, previous price and conditions if you want to question the shop or report it to Forbrukertilsynet.

Check Black Friday deals against the shop’s genuine previous price and prices at other shops. A large discount does not always mean a low price. Also consider delivery, conditions and how much you actually need to buy.

## What does the previous price mean on Black Friday?

The **previous price** is the price a shop uses as the basis when advertising a reduction. For ordinary goods, it must reflect the shop’s lowest price over at least the past 30 days.

This follows from prisopplysningsforskriften § 9a, the Norwegian price information regulations, as of 4 October 2026. Prices offered to large customer groups, such as customer club members, also count. The shop cannot choose a higher earlier price simply because it produces a larger percentage on the poster. [Lovdata provides the current rule on previous prices](https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2012-11-14-1066).

**Forbrukertilsynet**, which oversees marketing and consumer protection, explains that the discount must be calculated from the correct previous price. The authority uses the start of the sale to determine the period. This matters when a shop advertises a sale before the offer actually begins.

During an uninterrupted sale where the discount increases gradually, the lowest price before the first reduction is used.

The rule applies when goods are advertised as reduced in price. An ordinary price without a discount claim is a different situation. Goods that spoil quickly have an exception. Do not use the 30-day rule alone to assess a bag of food nearing its expiry date.

On SamfunnPrep, you can also read about [the difference between withdrawal rights, complaints and guarantees](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/forbrukerrettigheter-angrerett-reklamasjon). Price rules help you before buying. Consumer rights help when you change your mind or the goods have a fault.

## How do you calculate the actual discount?

Subtract the sale price from the correct previous price, then divide the difference by the previous price. Next, compare the amount you will pay with other shops.

This is a **hypothetical example**, not prices from a particular shop:

| Information | Amount |
|---|---:|
| Higher price the shop used earlier | 2,000 kroner |
| Lowest price during the relevant period | 1,500 kroner |
| Price during the sale | 1,200 kroner |

A reduction from 2,000 to 1,200 kroner looks like 40 per cent. But compared with the correct previous price of 1,500 kroner, the difference is 300 kroner. That is **20 per cent**. The higher figure gives a different impression of the offer.

A deal can be inexpensive even with a small discount. It can also be expensive with a large discount. If another shop sells the same model for 1,100 kroner without a promotion, its price is lower. You do not need to choose the shop with the largest percentage.

Make sure you compare exactly the same product. Model number, size and accessories can affect its value. A phone with less storage is not the same deal as a phone with more storage.

## What do member prices and “3 for 2” mean?

A member price can be relevant to the previous price, while an offer requiring several purchases must be assessed under its own conditions. Read what you must do to receive the price.

Forbrukertilsynet’s [guidance on sales and conditional offers](https://www.forbrukertilsynet.no/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/veiledning-om-reglene-som-gjelder-ved-markedsforing-av-salg-og-betingede-tilbud-l2398774.pdf) distinguishes between different promotions. A “conditional offer” means the benefit requires something, such as buying several products or spending above a certain amount. You cannot always apply an advertised percentage directly to the entire basket.

In particular, check:

- Must you be a member or use a discount code?
- Does the price apply only to certain colours or sizes?
- Must you buy more products than you need?
- Is the cheapest item free, or does another calculation apply?
- Are delivery or other costs added?

**Hypothetical example:** You need one jumper costing 400 kroner. Three jumpers on a “3 for 2” offer cost 800 kroner. The price per jumper is lower, but you spend 400 kroner more than planned. The offer saves you money only if the extra purchases are useful to you.

Membership can also mean more advertising messages. Consider the conditions before joining for just one purchase. Save the final checkout price. It should show what you actually order and pay for.

## How do you check the offer before paying?

Check the total price, price history and seller before confirming payment. You may want to make a short list of planned purchases as early as October.

Write down the model number and current price at a couple of shops. You then have a concrete basis for comparison when November promotions arrive. A price comparison service can help, but also check the shop’s own price and delivery conditions. The service may omit shops or certain member prices.

Take screenshots showing the offer, date, previous price and conditions. If you later complain about the marketing, the images show what you saw. A screenshot of just the percentage tells less than the full product page.

Calculate the **total price** before buying. Include delivery and other known costs. If ordering from abroad, also read SamfunnPrep’s guide to [customs duty and VAT on parcels](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/toll-moms-pakker-utlandet-norge). Foreign prices may require a different calculation from Norwegian shop prices.

Also set a limit on how much you can spend. A low price does not make a purchase necessary. [A simple personal budget](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/personlig-okonomi-norge) helps you distinguish planned expenses from extra purchases.

## What should you do if the previous price seems misleading?

First ask the shop to explain the previous price, and document the advertisement. You can report possibly misleading price marketing to Forbrukertilsynet.

Write briefly: which product, which date, the advertised previous price and the lower earlier price you found. Attach screenshots or links. Avoid claiming a shop broke the law if you simply lack information. Ask for an explanation of the calculation.

The authority has taken action against unlawful previous prices. A [decision on FLOYD’s sales marketing dated 25 June 2025](https://www.forbrukertilsynet.no/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/vedtak-om-overtredelsesgebyr-bruk-av-ulovlige-forpriser-i-salgsmarkedsforing-offentlig-versjon.pdf) shows that actual earlier prices matter. It does not prove that the advertisement you saw is unlawful. Each offer must be assessed using its own information.

Reporting marketing does not automatically create a right to a refund. If you have already bought the goods, distinguish between price information, any withdrawal right and a fault in the product. Describe what you want from the seller, and use the appropriate complaint process.

You can use [SamfunnPrep’s tools and everyday guides](https://samfunnprep.no/en/verktoy) to keep track of practical tasks. Before the next promotion, note the product you want, the maximum total price and the conditions you will check.

## FAQ

### What is the previous price?

It is the basis for an advertised price reduction. For ordinary goods, it must reflect the shop’s lowest price over at least the past 30 days.

### Do member prices count?

Yes. Prices used for large groups in customer clubs and loyalty programmes count when determining the previous price.

### Is a large discount always a good deal?

No. Compare the total price with other shops and check that the model and conditions are the same.

### How do I assess 3 for 2?

Check which products are included and what you must pay in total. Extra purchases can cost more even if the unit price is lower.

### Do I automatically get a refund if the previous price is wrong?

No. Reporting the marketing does not automatically mean a refund. Distinguish price information from withdrawal rights and other claims against the seller.

## Sources

- [Prisopplysningsforskriften § 9a](https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2012-11-14-1066)
- [Veiledning om salg og betingede tilbud, juni 2025](https://www.forbrukertilsynet.no/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/veiledning-om-reglene-som-gjelder-ved-markedsforing-av-salg-og-betingede-tilbud-l2398774.pdf)
- [Vedtak om FLOYDs førpriser, 25. juni 2025](https://www.forbrukertilsynet.no/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/vedtak-om-overtredelsesgebyr-bruk-av-ulovlige-forpriser-i-salgsmarkedsforing-offentlig-versjon.pdf)

Citation: Hlib Suslov, "Black Friday 2026: check the previous price", SamfunnPrep, 2026-10-05T16:12:12.683+00:00, https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/black-friday-forpris-tilbud-norge