Eagle Staff Report
The day after Thanksgiving isn't just one of the biggest shopping days of the year: Black Friday marks a special day for crooks interested in exactly what you are buying.
Though consumers are nervous about the future, prices have come down to allow Christmas shopping to be a little more affordable this year. That could translate into larger crowds of people who are spending about the same as last year, according to Tracy Mullin, president of the National Retail Federation.
The National Crime Prevention Council offered 10 tips to help shop safely while getting bargains throughout the holiday season:
* Do not buy more than you can carry. Plan ahead by taking a friend with you or ask a store employee to help you carry your packages to the car.
* Shop online with companies you know and trust. Check a company's background if you are not familiar with it. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
* Consider alternate options to pay for your merchandise, such as one-time or multi-use disposable credit cards or money orders, at online stores and auction sites.
* Wait until asked before taking out your credit card or checkbook. An enterprising thief would love to shoulder surf and take a picture of your account information.
* Deter pickpockets. Carry your purse close to your body or your wallet inside a coat or front trouser pocket.
* Be careful with cash. Count discreetly.
* Park close to your destination, if possible, or under a light at night.
* Have your keys in hand when approaching your vehicle. Check the back seat and around the car before getting in.
* Do not leave packages visible in your car windows. Lock them in the trunk or, if possible, take them directly home.
* Tell a security guard or store employee if you see an unattended bag or package. The same applies if you are using mass transit.
* If you are shopping with children, make a plan in case you get separated. Select a central meeting place and make sure they know they can ask for mall personnel or store security if they need help.
Officials with the Better Business Bureau also offer this piece of advice: Make sure to get gift receipts from reputable retailers and keep receipts -- both the original and gift receipts. They guarantee proof of purchase in case an item needs to be returned or exchanged.
Protect your personal information by reading a Web site's privacy policy to make sure you know what information is requested and how it's going to be used. If a policy doesn't exist, use caution, because the site may sell personal information to other groups, officials said.
Read the fine print. Retailers list important information such as privacy policies, warranty information, item descriptions, terms of agreement and company information on their Web sites. Much of this information is useful but is displayed in a smaller font.
For those buying on the Web, the bureau suggestions include the following:
* Pay attention to shipping deadlines. Many reliable sites will say if gifts can be shipped before the holiday arrives.
* Do your homework. Investigate the Web site's return and exchange policies. Some stores may not cover re-shipping costs. Others might be OK with returning an item to an actual store location nearby.
* Know your rights. Federal law requires that orders made by mail, phone or online be shipped by the date promised or, if no delivery time was stated, within 30 days. If the goods aren't shipped on time, the shopper can cancel and demand a refund. Consumers also have the right to reject merchandise if it's defective or was misrepresented.
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