More and more stores are opening their doors to shoppers on Thanksgiving Day, but the day after Thanksgiving – Black Friday – will remain one of the biggest shopping days of the year.  Better Business Bureau (BBB) is offering advice for people making plans to capitalize on Black Friday savings offers.

Chelsea McGuire with the BBB in Spokane says that shoppers should watch for several things to get the best deals,  and what to look for.

• Research the company. Visit bbb.org or call 509-455-4200 to obtain free Business Reviews. Remember, BBB Business Reviews have been optimized for smartphones.

 

• Getting the real deal. Do you know if a sale is really a sale? Many times companies boast “70 percent off,” but 70 percent off what? It always pays to comparison shop. If a company is advertising a “Going out of Business” sale, don’t automatically assume they are offering the best prices in town. Take the time to check prices on the same items at other stores.

 

• Search for Black Friday ads ahead of time. Some retailers have ‘gone for it,’ announcing their Black Friday specials well in advance of Friday, November 28. Newspapers often have coupons that outline store discounts for Black Friday, and some specials are posted on the Internet. By keeping your eyes open and nose to the ground, you can sniff out deals others might miss.

 

• Return policies, restocking fees and refunds. Ask for the store’s return policy before you make your purchase. Companies are not required to give you your money back, but they need to post their return policy prominently near the cashier.  Also, always ask about restocking fees, and save your receipts in one place so you don’t lose them. Many companies will require you to produce a receipt for a return.  Ask for a gift receipt.

 

• Watch out for deals too good to be true. While many retailers offer ‘doorbusters’ – specials that are eye-opening – some websites offer suspiciously low prices on sought-after goods in an effort to entice shoppers into turning over their credit card information. Stick to trustworthy websites and look for the BBB seal and other recognized “trust marks.” Be sure to click on the seals to confirm they are valid.

 

• Gift cards. Gift cards regularly top consumers’ wish lists. Federal rules govern gift card sales, and those rules state:

 

• An inactivity fee cannot be charged until the card has not been used for 12 months.

 

• Gift cards cannot expire for at least 5 years.

 

• No more than one fee (of any kind) can be charged to the cardholder in a single month.

 

• Information printed on the card must disclose fees and expiration date and provide a toll-free phone number or website where you can get more information.

 

• A one-time fee can be charged when you buy the card, though this generally only applies to gift cards purchased through your credit card company – not those purchased directly from stores and restaurants.

 

• If you receive a gift card, you should redeem it promptly if, possible.

 

McGuire says that if you have questions, you should visit the BBB website or call 509-455-4200.

 

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