Mother’s Day Shopping Tips from the Better Business Bureau

 

(From The Better Business Bureau)

 

 

CHICAGO, IL – It’s almost Mother’s Day and whether ordering flowers, shopping for jewelry, or arranging a special spa day for your mother, be a smart consumer. The Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and northern Illinois (BBB) warns consumers to proceed with caution before falling victim to Mother’s Day vender rip-offs, especially when shopping online. 

 

“Consumers must take extra precautions when placing orders online,” said Steve J Bernas, president & CEO of the BBB serving Chicago and northern Illinois. “While some people are extremely happy with their online purchases, others find themselves disappointed when their orders don’t arrive on time, or don’t arrive at all.”

 

When finalizing gifts and shopping online, the BBB recommends adhering to the following:

• Do your homework.  Check out the company’s BBB Business Review at www.bbb.org before ordering flowers, jewelry or any other gifts for Mother’s Day. This is a great way to help prevent disappointment with the product or customer service. 
• Protect your personal information. Take time to read the site’s privacy policy and understand what personal information is being requested and how it will be used. When placing an order, there is certain information that you must provide to the web merchant such as your name and address. Often, a merchant will try to obtain more information about you for marketing purposes, which can lead to “spam” or other solicitations. Providing your Social Security number is also not a requirement for placing an order. Giving out your Social Security number could lead to having your identity stolen.
• Allow time for shipping and delivery.  Check with the retailer or website to be certain you have allowed enough time for delivery. Make sure this date is specified clearly and guaranteed when you order. If you order ahead of time, delivery and other charges will cost less than last-minute or overnight shipping
• Have a back-up plan.  Make sure you understand the store’s guarantee. Find out how customer complaints are handled and what recourse you will have if the arrangement is not satisfactory. It’s best to use a credit card when ordering online, because you can dispute charges if the vendor doesn’t come through. Charges made on a debit card are the same as cash and you have no recourse through your bank if there is a problem.
• Make sure the business has your information.  When it comes to delivery, there are times when delivery instructions need to be confirmed or a delivery driver needsadditional directions. Making sure the retailer has a call-back phone number to help them make sure your mom gets your gift.

 

For more shopping tips you can trust, visit www.bbb.org.