GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – With Halloween approaching, shopping online can save you money, but only if you do it right.
When it comes to purchasing costumes and other Halloween supplies, 42 percent of shoppers will visit discount stores, 36 percent will visit a Halloween store, and 25 percent will shop online.
The Better Business Bureau says shopping smart online is a must.
Susan Bach of the Better Business Bureau of Northeast Wisconsin says that means it is important to buy from the right sites.
One way that can be done is by making sure the website is secure and that it has a lock symbol.
“Make sure that the URL address starts with https. The “S” stands for secure.”
Bach says virtual shopping can lead to mistakes with the purchases if the buyer is not paying close attention.
“You don’t get a chance to try it on or check the color or size before you buy it, so make sure that you go over the sizing charts.”
While the turnaround time for shipping online purchases is rather quick, Bach warns that waiting until the last minute could leave you disappointed for Halloween.
“It is going to take some time to receive that costume and it will likely not be returnable.”
Because of that, it is advised to use a credit card when shopping because they can help you get refunded for any costume that arrives with a malfunction, even if the online company does not take the item back in most cases.
The Better Business Bureau offers the following tips for Halloween.
- When shopping from an online website, the first step is to make sure the URL starts with “https” and includes a lock symbol. The S in “https” stands for secure.
- Look up the website’s privacy policy and contact information. If it is not clearly listed, or they only have an email as the point of contact, take that as a big red flag and shop elsewhere.
- Also, be sure to use your credit card instead of your debit card, as credit cards not only provide additional protection, but it’s also easier to dispute a fraudulent charge.
- Click here for more tips on shopping online.
