The Thanksgiving holiday is fast approaching, and for many holiday shoppers it means that Black Friday shopping is not far behind. While retailers anxiously wait to see what this holiday season will bring to their bottom line, consumers nationwide will be lining up to take advantage of this season’s holiday sales. Whether consumers plan to brave crowds of early-bird shoppers Friday morning or shop online from the comfort of their home, there are plenty of options available this holiday season for even the thriftiest of shoppers.
“Consumers are looking to stretch their dollar a little further and shopping for the holidays will be no exception,” Matthew Fehling, BBB President/CEO said. “Whether you buy your gifts in a stand-alone store or in an online store or auction, consumers need to be sure they are aware of all the terms and conditions of their purchase.”
BBB offers tips to help consumers shop smart and stay safe this holiday season regardless of where their purchases take place.
LAYAWAY
This season many consumers are taking advantage of layaway programs offered by retailers. Layaway is a great alternative for consumers who want the option to pay over time, but who don’t want to stretch the limit on their credit cards. When buying items via in-store or online layaway, BBB advises consumers to get everything in writing and offers the following checklist of questions to ask:
· How much time do I have to pay off the item?
· When are the payments due?
· How much do I have to put down?
· Are the items I want to purchase eligible for the layaway program?
· What happens if the item(s) are lost or damaged while in layaway?
· Are there any storage or service plan fees?
· What happens if I miss a payment? Are there penalties? Does the item return to inventory?
· Can I get a refund or store credit if I no longer want the item after making a few payments?
· What happens if the item goes on sale after I’ve put it on layaway?
· Does the retailer or third-party layaway service have a good BBB rating?
If the store goes out of business while you are still paying for your items you could be out the items and the cash, so make sure you are dealing with a reputable company.
ONLINE AUCTIONS
Online auctions can be a great place for finding deals at any time of year, but over the holidays such sites become hot spots for tracking down popular and hard-to-get gifts.
Find out how the auction site protects buyers and sellers from fraud. Find out what actions the auction site will take in your defense if you become a victim of an unscrupulous seller.
Compare the cost of the item elsewhere. Scammers will often price their items lower than the competition in order to lure in buyers. A lowball minimum bid for an item should be considered a red flag.
Research the seller. Online auction sites often provide the opportunity for buyers to rate sellers and provide feedback on the transaction. These reviews are a great way to determine the seller’s track record, but keep in mind that reviews are typically not authenticated and some sellers will pay for flattering reviews in order to mislead buyers.
Ask questions. When in doubt, don’t be afraid to ask the seller questions about the item, including how they came to own it, its condition and if you can return it if you’re not satisfied.
Don’t be lured away from the auction site. In some cases, scammers will try to convince bidders to complete a transaction outside of the auction site. Leaving the Web site means you are no longer covered by the protections and guarantees provided by the auction business.
Use a secure form of payment. Use a credit card or a secure payment service, such as PayPal, when purchasing items through an online auction. If the seller insists on using an escrow service, always research that business fully with BBB. Never wire cash payments — such as through MoneyGram or Western Union —to someone you don’t know.
OTHER HOLIDAY SHOPPING TIPS
Be realistic. When planning your holiday purchases make a budget and be honest with yourself about what you can comfortably afford to spend. Also take into account the cost of cash gifts, gift cards, shipping, postage, travel and other expenses.
Protect your computer. If you’re shopping online, make sure your computer is up-to-date with the most recent updates installed for spam filters, anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and a secure firewall.
Ask about refund and return policies. Know upfront the store’s policy on returns and exchanges before you buy. Some stores may have a “no refund/no exchange” policy while others may only offer a store credit.
Confirm your online purchase is secure. When shopping online look in the address box for the “s” in https:// and in the lower-right corner for the “lock” symbol before paying to make sure the site is secure. If there are any doubts about a site, BBB recommends right-clicking anywhere on the page and select “Properties.” This will let you see the real URL (Web site address) and the dialog box will reveal if the site is not encrypted.
Keep good records. Whether you’re ordering by mail, phone, or online, it’s important to keep detailed information about the transaction, including your order number, shipping costs and dates, warranties, and refund and return policies.
For more advice on staying safe online this holiday season, and to see reports on thousands of retailers, go to www.bbb.org.
About BBB Serving Central, Northern & Western Arizona
BBB is an unbiased organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Businesses that earn BBB accreditation contractually agree and adhere to the organization’s high standards of ethical business behavior. Incorporated locally in 1938, today your BBB serves communities in Central, Northern and Western Arizona, supported by over 10,000 BBB Accredited Businesses. BBB provides objective advice, free business BBB Reliability ReportsTM and charity BBB Wise Giving ReportsTM, and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust.