How to Shop Smart and Give Wisely This Holiday Season

Thanksgiving weekend is the traditional kick-off to the holiday shopping season and BBB’s 2018 Holiday Guide is here to help consumers shop smart and give wisely.

 

The following tips will help you make the most of the upcoming holiday shopping season.

 

Do your research. Find businesses you can trust on BBB.org. We have BBB Business Profiles on more than 5.2 million businesses, from the most popular chains to local shops. Read past customers’ experiences and see how the business responds to complaints. Look for the seal to find BBB Accredited Businesses.

 

Read the ads carefully. Black Friday is known for “door busting” sales, but sometimes quantities are limited or there are other restrictions. Last year, 99 million people shopped on Black Friday! Before you wait in line for hours or brave the boisterous crowds, be sure you know what’s really being offered. For more tips: go.bbb.org/blackfriday

 

Shop around. Not all of the best sales or the best prices are in the big box stores. Thousands of small and independent businesses are participating in Small Business Saturday on November 24. Look for the “Shop Small” signs at local businesses for Small Business Saturday specials or visit shopsmall.com for a list of participating retailers. For more tips: go.bbb.org/shopsmall

 

Be safe online. Cyber Monday unlocks big savings online, but look for a small lock icon in the URL and an extra s for safety (https… the extra “s” is for secure). Watch out for look-alike websites that mimic famous brands but that may be a scam. Use a credit card for online shopping, as it has more fraud protections than a debit card. Make sure your anti-virus software is up-to-date and avoid clicking on links in unsolicited email and social media messages. For more tips: go.bbb.org/cybermonday

Give wisely. Charitable giving is heightened during the holidays when donors are feeling generous. Giving Tuesday on November 27 is all about being generous after the shopping frenzy. Make sure the charity you select will be a good steward of your money. Check out BBB’s Give.org for charity reviews. For more tips: go.bbb.org/givingtuesday

 

BBB Serving Connecticut is also adding a local component to this campaign! Each holiday starting with Black Friday and ending with Giving Tuesday, BBB will be posting a short video on social media to remind consumers what to keep an eye out for while doing their holiday shopping.

 

These videos will include interviews with Connecticut businesses and organizations consumers can visit or get involved with this holiday season.

 

You can connect with BBB CT on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.