BBB Offers Shopping Tips on Black Friday

Today is Black Friday – the single busiest shopping day of the year.

But the deals have already started at most major retailers.

So whether you’re heading out for a full day of shopping for Christmas deals or going online Monday to catch some hot cyber deals, the Better Business Bureau offers a few tips to make your Black Friday shopping experience productive… and maybe even enjoyable:

First, make the most of Black Friday deals. Start with a list of items you are looking for and use sale flyers and promotions to determine which store has the best price.

Also, figure out how much you can afford to spend… and stick to it!

Read the fine print. Some retailers may offer an additional percentage off your purchase, but could exclude certain deals or items such as “door busters.”

Also, be cautious of companies that boast a high percentage off; the item may be “75% off,” but the original price could be inflated.

Plan your approach. In many cases, you no longer have to wait to see what deals will be offered on Black Friday. Retailers now release their Black Friday flyers weeks ahead of time, so consumers can plan out their shopping spree.

Make a map of the stores you plan to visit and what items are at which store. Some retailors only honor sale ads during a certain time frame, or on certain days, and could limit the amount of deeply discounted items you purchase.

Know the return policy and warranty information. Be sure to pass along any information about returns, exchanges, repairs, and warranties to the person who will use the item.

Gift receipts are an easy way for recipients to return or exchange a gift if it’s not just right, but make sure the item is able to be returned before purchasing.

And if you want to know whether a business is legit or what kind of reviews they have gotten, you can always visit BBB.org to look up a business, file a complaint, write a customer review, report a scam, read tips, and followBBB on social media.