11.11 and Black Friday Curtain Deals: What to Check Before You Pay

You add a pair of blackout panels to your cart at 11.58pm, the countdown timer still running, and the banner promises a huge discount. A few days later the box arrives. The panels stop a hand's width above the sill, the hooks don't suit your track, and light pours in around the edges of the bedroom window.

The year-end sales are here. 11.11 falls on Wednesday 11 November 2026, with Black Friday on 27 November and Cyber Monday on 30 November. MoneySense, the government's financial education programme, notes how shoppers get "enticed by the loud advertisements on shopping events" in the last few months of the year. An air fryer is the same box whoever sells it. Curtains and blinds aren't, because they only work if they fit your window. Here is what to check before you pay for one of these deals.

Why a curtain deal is harder to compare than a gadget deal

A discount only means something if you are comparing like with like. With curtains, two listings at the same price can be very different buys. One might be a single unlined panel at a stock width. The other might be a made-to-measure pair with lining, track, installation and a site visit. The headline number tells you little until you know your window and what is in the box.

So start with the window, not the sale.

1. Measure the real window, not the brochure size

HDB and BTO windows have quirks that stock sizes don't allow for:

• Bulkheads and ceiling height. A bulkhead above the window changes where the track can go and how long the drop needs to be.
• AC ledges and deep reveals. These can take up the space where a track or a bracket would normally sit.
• Casement handles. Casement window handles stick out into the room, so a blind mounted too close to the glass can catch on them.
• Uneven plaster. Walls and ceilings are rarely perfectly straight, which is why a panel that is "the right length" on paper can still drag or float.

Measure width and drop in at least two places, and note what sits above and below the window. If the numbers fall between stock sizes, a ready-made panel will either gap or pool. The measure is free with us, and it is often the quickest way to find out whether a stock size will work at all.

2. Ask what the price actually includes

This is where most deal prices fall apart. Before you compare, list what each offer covers:

• Fabric, and whether lining is included or extra
• Track or rod, brackets, hooks and end caps
• Measurement and installation
• Delivery, and removal of the old curtains if you need it
• Motors or remotes, if the photo shows a motorised set

Singapore's consumer watchdog has a name for fees that appear late: drip pricing. The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS), in its Guidelines on Price Transparency, says: "Suppliers should ensure that any unavoidable or mandatory charges (e.g. taxes, surcharges, service fees, etc.) are included in the total headline price." It also encourages an "opt-in" or "opt-neutral" approach to optional add-ons, so that consumers actively tick the extras they want. In practice, compare totals, not headline prices, and look out for pre-ticked boxes at checkout. Asking for an itemised, all-in quote is the easiest way to see what you are really paying for.

3. Don't let the timer choose for you

Flash sales are built to rush you. MoneySense points to the "Only 4 units left" style of notice and suggests comparing prices across retailers, and better still, watching prices over a period of time. Its tip is simple: "leaving the store or website and waiting for three days before making a purchase will give you clear answers."

For window coverings, those three days are best spent measuring, checking the light in each room at the times you use it, and getting one proper quote to compare against the deal.

4. Match the fabric to the room, not the photo

Product photos are shot in studio light. Your flat isn't. A few things to settle first:

• Bedrooms: decide whether you need full blackout or just dimming. Light leaks at the sides and top matter as much as the fabric.
• Living rooms: most families want privacy by day and full cover at night. Day-night curtains pair a sheer with a heavier layer on one track, so you aren't choosing between the two.
• Study or home office: blinds that tilt or slide let you cut screen glare without shutting out the day.

Colour is the other trap. A grey that looks cool on screen can turn warm under your lights. Seeing the actual fabric against your own wall and floor tells you more than any listing photo.

5. Check the lead time against the date you need them

Many people shop the year-end sales with a deadline in mind: guests in December, a move-in date, or a flat to finish before the new year. Lead time depends on fabric and schedule, and we confirm it at the measure. Count back from your date before you commit.

If you've just collected keys, you can stage it. Put up sheers first for privacy, then add the night layers once paint and flooring are done. New flat owners can start with our BTO curtains page.

6. Read the returns and warranty terms before you check out

The CCCS and the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE), in a joint advisory on online shopping, advise consumers: "Check and understand the terms and conditions, and return/refund policy listed on the retailer's website or advertisement." That matters more than usual here, because made-to-measure fabric generally can't be returned like a boxed item.

Ask who comes back if a track sags or a blind mechanism sticks, and get it in writing. Our indoor curtains and blinds carry a 3-year warranty, with terms confirmed on your quote.

7. If it's motorised, plan the power before the motor

Motorised curtains and blinds show up in a lot of sale banners. Before you buy one, plan a power point near the track: check where the nearest one is, whether the motor needs a plug or is wired, and how the remote or app pairs with it. A cheap motor that needs a trailing cable across the window isn't a saving. Motorised options are available on selected styles.

A short list before you tap "Pay"

• I have measured width and drop in two places, and noted bulkheads, ledges and handles.
• I know what the price includes: lining, track, installation, delivery and removal.
• I have compared the final total, not the headline price.
• I know when it will be installed, and that date works for me.
• I have read the return and warranty terms, and I know who to call if something fails.

If the deal still makes sense after that, go for it. If it doesn't, a made-to-measure quote for the same rooms gives you something solid to compare against. You can see the full range on our curtains and blinds page.

FAQ

Are 11.11 curtain deals worth it?

Sometimes, if the size fits your window and the price includes what you need. Compare the final total, including lining, track and installation, against a quote for the same windows. MoneySense also suggests tracking prices over time, since big sale events can give "negligible savings".

Can I buy ready-made curtains for an HDB flat?

You can, but HDB and BTO windows often fall between stock sizes, and bulkheads or AC ledges change where the track goes. Measure carefully first. If the numbers don't match a stock size, made-to-measure usually fits better.

What hidden costs should I look out for?

Lining, tracks or rods, brackets, installation, delivery, removing old curtains and motor add-ons are the usual ones. CCCS guidance says mandatory charges should be included in the headline price, so ask for an all-in total.

How long do made-to-measure curtains take?

Lead time depends on fabric and schedule, and we confirm it at the measure.

Do you measure before quoting?

Yes. The measure is free. Message us to book a measure.

Sources

• MoneySense, "3 traps to avoid when you go shopping": https://www.moneysense.gov.sg/3-traps-to-avoid-when-you-go-shopping/
• Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore, Guidelines on Price Transparency: https://www.ccs.gov.sg/consumer-protection/legislation-and-guidelines/guidelines-on-price-transparency/
• CASE and CCCS Advisory on Online Consumer Transactions: https://www.ccs.gov.sg/media-and-events/newsroom/announcements-and-media-releases/case-and-cccs-advisory-on-online-consumer-transactions/