Boxing Day sales used to be where savvy shoppers looked for the best deals, but Black Friday — which takes place to coincide with Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. — is now one of the busiest shopping days of the year, with consumers on the hunt for bargains in the run-up to Christmas.
This year, Black Friday takes place on Nov. 29, and will be followed by Cyber Monday on Dec. 2. According to the latest report from the Retail Council of Canada, B.C. residents are ready to spend an average of $893 each during their holiday shopping this year, in bricks and mortar shops and online.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving Mainland BC & Yukon Territory hopes to help consumers shop safely and smartly this holiday season. By exercising a bit of caution, Black Friday and Cyber Monday lovers can stick to their budgets, protect their wallets, and get the best deals.
“Black Friday and Cyber Monday are big days of the year for consumers, and businesses too, but shoppers should be cautious diving into the first ‘too-good-to-be-true’ deals they see,” says Simone Lis, BB Mainland BC President and CEO. “Knowing how to spot phony websites, impersonators, and shady businesses will help ensure shoppers get what they are looking for.”
Here are BBB’s top five shopping tips to use, whether you decide to shop in-person or online on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or any other day during the holiday season.
1. Work with trustworthy businesses: The best way to avoid losing money during hard economic times is by making sure you're doing your research before you make your purchase. The BBB’s website (www.bbb.org) is a vital resource to ensure you find the Sign of a Better Business and avoid falling for scams, frauds, and unprofessional business owners.
2. Know the return policies: Whether you're shopping online or at physical stores, be aware that return policies can change during Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, so always read the fine print before making a purchase. Some items labelled as "final sale" or "closeout" may not be returnable, and other stores might have a time limit on when items can be returned, so familiarize yourself with the return or exchange policy for the specific item you plan to buy. If it's a gift, ensure you can get a gift receipt, but be certain it's returnable, and scrutinize price tags, terms, and conditions.
3. Price check and price match: Do your due diligence by comparing prices from various online retailers. The best deal isn't always the real deal. Some stores offer price matches to secure your business, so make sure you know the average market price for an item.
4. Watch out for misleading or false advertising: If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be vigilant for false advertising and double-check the website's legitimacy. Scammers often create lookalike sites to deceive shoppers, so ensure that the website has the correct business name spelling and legitimate contact information and customer service numbers.
5. Use secure and traceable transaction methods: When shopping online, it's safer to use a credit card, as most financial institutions will allow you to dispute charges with your credit card company if issues arise. Debit cards don't provide the same level of protection. Avoid making purchases with prepaid debit cards, e-transfers, or by wiring money to online sellers. If you are dealing with a private seller, be wary of anyone who asks for payments in gift cards or cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin.
Also be aware of fake delivery invoices purporting to come from Canada Post, UPS, or Amazon. They will allude to your order being “stuck in transit”, and urge you to click on a link and/or input information, such as a credit card or Social Insurance Number.
Is the introduction general (“Dear Customer”), and does the message contain bad grammar and spelling? If so, delete the email, and do not click on any links or provide any information. If in doubt, go to the site where you placed your order and check there for any updates.
