Shopping Season has Begun

Everyone loves a good bargain, and with "Black Friday" around the corner, shoppers are gearing up for another exciting shopping season. Sale ads are leaking on the internet and shoppers are beginning to map out their route in the quest for the best deals.

Holiday sales this season are expected to rise to more than $630.5 billion, and competition for those dollars includes deals offered before Thanksgiving or on the holiday itself. "Black Friday" is one of the busiest shopping days of the year, and plenty of deals are sure to be offered on the day after Thanksgiving.

Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises consumers to arm themselves with information, a budget and the ability to resist pressure to buy items they don't want or need. One-day deals and specials have become the norm rather than the exception, whether shopping online or in a store. If you've researched an item ahead of time, you'll be better able to evaluate deals.

When buying gifts, it's important to obtain and keep receipts for all purchases in case the recipient needs to return an item. Many stores will provide gift receipts upon request, which allow returns but don't show the recipient how much you paid for an item.

Be sure to check return and refund policies before you buy. Although some stores relax their return policies during the holiday season, others may require that returns be made within a few days of purchase. Some only allow returns if a product is defective while others may give store credit instead of cash refunds.

If a gift needs to be shipped, ask about cost and when the item will arrive. In some cases, you may save time and money by buying from a store's website.

While online shopping can be a way to avoid crowded stores, shoppers need to be careful of the sites they patronize. When shopping online, be sure to:

1. Protect your personal information. Check to see how your information may be used online. When shopping at stores, keep your card out of sight and make sure you get it back and safely in your wallet before you leave the store.

2. Check the site's security settings and privacy policy. If the site is secure, its address should start with https://.

3. Know the company's refund and return policies. Are there restocking fees? Do you have to pay shipping costs on returns?

4. Do not rely on pictures of a product. Read the description and check model numbers, if applicable.

5. Be cautious of free or very-low-price offers. Often, free offers are followed by an open-ended enrollment in a program that automatically bills your credit card account. Before ordering anything online, make sure you click on and read all terms and conditions.

6. Pay with a credit card. If you suspect fraud or don't receive your order, you can challenge the charge. It's also possible to dispute charges to your card.

7. Obtain a tracking number for shipments. If you need the product before the holidays, find out when the seller intends to ship it and if possible, how it will be shipped.

8. Print out the order or save it on your computer. Make sure you have the documentation page for online orders and save it until the order arrives.

9. Be aware of phishing. Don't respond to emails that ask for your credit card, bank account number or other personal information. Legitimate businesses do not send emails claiming there is a problem with an order or account to lure you into revealing financial information. Call the company or find the customer service form on the company website to confirm any problem.

Toy safety is a concern for many parents. Make sure any toys you buy are appropriate for the age of the child. If possible, inspect toys carefully to look for sharp edges that may cut, moving parts that can pinch or small, removable pieces that can be a choking hazard. Toy chests should have air holes, and fabric products should be flame-resistant. Check for a UL (Underwriters Laboratories) seal on electric toys.

Before patronizing a store or website, check its BBB Business Review at www.bbb.org or by calling 573-803-3190.