Smart holiday spending tips from the Better Business Bureau
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Spend smart this holiday season with advice from the Steve Bernas, head of the Chicago and Northern Illinois chapter of the Better Business Bureau.
Tips for Black Friday shoppers:
-Research before you shop - If you find a great coupon, be sure to print it out and bring it to the store with you. Check out Business Reviews and Customer Reviews at www.bbb.org to make sure you are dealing with a reputable business that will guarantee the sale prices they claim to have.
-Know Store Policies - Knowing the store policies on returns can help you determine where to buy. Many retailers may include restocking fees and shorter return deadlines.
-Ask for Gift Receipts - Gift receipts generally include a description of the item purchased but do not disclose the price paid. Without proof-of-purchase, the recipient may be turned down for returning or exchanging the item, or risk receiving an exchange at a lower price.
Online shopping tips for Cyber Monday:
-Shop on trustworthy websites - Shoppers should start with the BBB to check on the seller's Business Review for customer satisfaction at www.bbb.org Always look for the BBB seal and other widely-recognized "trustmarks" on retailer websites and click on the seals to confirm that they are valid.
-Protect your personal information - Take time to read the site's privacy policy and understand what personal information is being requested and how it will be used. If there isn't one posted, it should be taken as a red flag that personal information may be sold to others without permission.
-Beware of deals that sound too good to be true - Offers on websites and in unsolicited e-mails often sound too good to be true, especially extreme low prices on hard-to-get items. Consumers should always go with their instincts and not be afraid to pass up a "deal" that might cost them dearly in the end. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
-Confirm that your online purchase is 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. If there are any doubts about a site, the BBB recommends right-clicking anywhere on the page and select "Properties." This will let you see the real URL (website address) and the dialog box will reveal whether the site is encrypted or not.
-Pay with a credit card - It's best to use a credit card, because under Federal law, the shopper can dispute the charges if he or she doesn't receive an item. Shoppers also have dispute rights if there are unauthorized charges on their credit card and many card issuers have "zero liability" policies under which the card holder pays nothing if someone steals the credit card number and uses it.
-Keep documentation of your order - After completing the online order process, there may be a final confirmation page or the shopper might receive confirmation by e-mail. The BBB recommends saving a copy of the Web page and any e-mails for future reference and as a record of the purchase.
For more tips on scams, visit www.bbb.org.
