When you shop for Halloween costumes and other merchandise, the Better Business Bureau warns you to be careful of seasonal stores and fly-by-night websites. Complaints about late delivery, poor quality and difficulty obtaining refunds regarding this type of merchandise are common at the BBB.
“It may seem like you’re getting a great deal by shopping online, but it’s important for consumers to research the company and its policies before placing an order,” said Claire Rosenzweig, President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau Serving Metropolitan New York. “Otherwise, you could find yourself without a costume or disputing a charge on your credit card.”
The BBB is offering consumers these tips when looking to buy Halloween merchandise:
- Research the company. Look for full contact information on the seller’s Web site, including a phone number, e-mail address, and a street address. Always check out the company on www.bbb.org before doing business.
- Read all terms and conditions carefully. Know the refund policy. Some stores may have time limits for returns and may not allow refunds for seasonal merchandise such as Halloween costumes. Others may only provide store credit for returns.
- Ask how long a store will operate. If you’re buying from a seasonal store, ask them whether they will be open after the holiday and whether they 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.
- Pay by credit card. If something goes wrong, you may be able to dispute the charges with your credit card company.
- Guard your personal information. Only provide your credit card information online in a secure environment. Look for the prefix “https://” in the URL box which lists the website’s address to be sure that the site you are using is secure.
- Keep documentation. Save copies of the order confirmation and receipts.
- Examine your costume as soon as it arrives. If it doesn’t fit, or isn’t what you ordered, contact the seller as soon as possible.
If you’re not satisfied with your purchase and have already contacted the company, you may file a complaint with the BBB at www.bbb.org.