BBB urges consumers to be cautious while shopping for Halloween

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Trick or Treaters (Source: Better Business Bureau)
Trick or Treaters (Source: Better Business Bureau)

ST.LOUIS, Mo. (KBSI) – The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is encouraging consumers to be cautious when shopping for Halloween this season.

The National Retail Federation estimates 73% of Americans will celebrate Halloween this year and overall spending will reach $12.2 billion.

Last year, BBB received over 200 complaints regarding costume businesses with many of them involving online orders that never arrived or missing items.

The BBB provides the following tips for shopping safely this Halloween:

Shopping online 

  • If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers sometimes use holidays as a reason to lure people in with outrageously good prices. If you find a costume or decoration on an unfamiliar website for way less than other sites are charging, proceed with caution.

  • Look up the seller at BBB.org. This is good practice for any retail site you’re not familiar with. BBB.org can let you know a company’s track record, rating and any complaints from past customers.

  • Make sure you’re using a secure website. The store’s web address should start with “https://” and have a small image of a lock next to it – this means it is secure.

  • Pay with a credit card. Paying with credit makes it easier to dispute a purchase if something goes wrong.

Shopping at seasonal stores 

  • Know the return policy. Seasonal Halloween stores may have unusual return policies. Ask about the policy, and if they plan to close shop on November 1 or refuse returns after, keep that in mind when making your purchase. Double check whether your items are “final sale.”

  • Ask the owner how you can contact them later. Seasonal sellers may have a website or number you can use in the off-season in case of any issues.

  • Save every receipt. This will help you in case of returns or disputes.

Attending special events or haunted houses 

  • Read reviews online. Check the event or attraction’s website or BBB.org to read reviews from past customers. This can help you gauge the quality of the experience.

  • Check BBB Scam Tracker to see if others have filed a report about the event or attraction.

  • Be cautious when buying resale tickets. It’s typically safest to buy tickets directly from a venue. If you do buy resale tickets, check out BBB’s tips for avoiding resale scams.

Categories: News, Scams
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