Tips for smart holiday shopping
by Report Submitted · December 23rd, 2019


Holiday shopping is in full swing and the Better Business Bureau has tips before embarking on your next buying adventure. Smart shoppers plan ahead and familiarize themselves with retailer policies in order to avoid a stressful shopping experience.

When shopping for the holidays, follow this BBB advice.

Stick to your budget. Avoid overspending by creating a budget for each person on your list. Making a list and checking it twice can help you avoid impulse gifts, overbuying and exceeding your budget.

Seek out sales. Check your newspapers for coupons and look for ads on legitimate retailer websites. Comparison shop and check prices. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Shop smart online and be aware of shipping deadlines. Always use secure, encrypted, "https," websites when buying online and paying with a credit card. Don't use the same password for shopping or for creation of a "user accounts" that is used for your bank account. Place online orders early if you want them to arrive before your holiday deadline.

Know your rights. Understand return and refund policies. Also, federal law requires that orders made by phone, mail or online be shipped by the date promised or within 30 days if no delivery time was stated.

Research websites and companies. Some unfamiliar shopping sites offer electronics or luxury goods at unrealistically low prices. Check our website at bbb.org to find out a company's BBB rating, compliant history and much more. Remember that BBB Accredited Businesses meet BBB Standards and agree to respond to and resolve issues, so search for the BBB seal.

Whether you head out to the stores or make a purchase with a click of a mouse, always take the time to shop smart. The holidays can be expensive or chaotic, so shop with trust by checking with your BBB.

For further information, please contact us at 1-800-222-1600 for your pre-purchase inquiries.