According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), 122 million Americans participated in Cyber Monday sales and 154 million participated in Black Friday shopping last year. Both of these numbers were up from previous years, and it’s predicted they will only go up from there. Although the deals may be great, there are still some dangers lurking during these sales.
BBB offers these tips to help you find the best and safest deals on these two major shopping days.
• Establish a budget. Shoppers tend to overspend during the holidays, especially as new deals are unveiled. Stay ahead and plan how much you want to spend on each person.
• Know the stores return and exchange policies. Ask for gift receipts. Understand if products on sale are final sales or if there is the possibility of a return.
• Start early and compare prices. Read about all the major deals being offered in the weeks leading up to Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Be sure to compare ads and prices to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
• Confirm your online purchases are secure. Shoppers should always look in the address box for the “s” in https:// and in the lower-right corner for the lock symbol before paying.
• Protect your personal information. Take time to read the website’s privacy policy and understand how your personal information will be used. Never give out your credit card number or banking information to an unfamiliar business.
• Beware of too-good-to-be-true deals. Do not be afraid to pass them up. They may cost you.
• Keep in mind the cheapest product is not always the best deal. Doorbuster sales are great, but they might not always offer the best product for your needs.
• Pay with a credit card and keep documentation of your order. By using a credit card you have a better chance of disputing charges if something goes wrong with your purchase. Keep any e-mails or receipts in case a return needs to be made.
• Pay attention to your surroundings. Stores get busy and it’s a great time for a thief to blend into the crowd. Thieves may see you struggling with an armful of shopping bags and consider it an opportunity to steal your wallet or purse.
Whether shopping online or off, you can go online to www.bbb.org or call (937) 222-5825 or (800) 776-5301 for a list of BBB Accredited Businesses in specific industries and Business Profiles on ones you're considering for your holiday needs.
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John North is president of the Dayton Better Business Bureau.
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