Don’t be tricked around Halloween holiday by pop-up stores
Halloween is an exciting time of the year for children and adults alike. It is also a huge shopping holiday. Candy, costumes and decorations start hitting the shelves as early as August. With a lack of preparation, it’s easy to go overboard.
During the fall, pop-up Halloween-themed stores appear. These specialized retailers are always popular with holiday shoppers, but their temporary nature can cause problems. These pop-up stores are only in business for a few months out of the year, which can be troublesome if you need to return an item. If you plan on buying from a pop-up store, find out about the return policy and how long it’ll be open.
Better Business Bureau offers Halloween shopping tips:
■ Look for the BBB Seal. BBB Accredited Businesses meet accreditation standards, which include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve customer complaints.
■ Shop for deals. Many stores have discounts or deals decorations, costumes and candy. Check your local newspaper for coupons and offers. Consider shopping closer to Halloween. Retailers may lower prices to move them out.
■ Consider shopping online but guard your personal information. Only provide your credit card number online in a secure environment. Look for the prefix “https://” in the URL box of the website’s address to be sure the site is secure.
■ Leave nothing to chance when shopping online. Know the price and any shipping and handling charges, as well as the terms of any product or service guarantees. Find out how long it will be before you receive your order.
Federal law requires that goods and services be delivered within 30 days, unless a different delivery period is specifically stated by the merchant.
■ Save your receipts and use a credit card. If there’s a problem with your purchase, your credit card company will help handle the dispute.
■ Make sure the store has a website with contact information in case you need to reach it later.
■ Ask how long a store will operate and whether it will accept returns when the season is over. If not, consider buying elsewhere or taking more time to be sure the item is exactly what you want before making the purchase.
BBB has heard countless complaints concerning pop-up Halloween shops and fraudulent online stores. Consider these tips to avoid dealing with shady businesses.
As always, use the resources your BBB offers (lists of BBB Accredited Businesses by industry, Business Profiles on companies, etc.) by visiting bbb.org or by calling (937) 2225825 or (800) 776-5301.