Buyers Tips for the Holidays

Consumers may feel more pressure to buy early and often this year, said the Better Business Bureau of the St. Louis area in a news release. But smart buyers who research set purchasing limits and compare prices will make smarter and more effective use of their time.

"Some Black Friday deals may look good on the surface, but quantities may be extremely limited or the size of the discount greatly exaggerated," said Michelle L. Corey, BBB President and CEO. "By checking prices at several retailers and reading advertisements carefully, consumers can make an educated decision on whether it's worthwhile to stand in line or miss a good night's sleep."

Buyers should obtain and keep receipts for all purchases in case the items must be returned. Many stores will provide gift receipts, upon request, that allow returns but which show the recipient the item’s cost.

Corey said buyers should check retailers’ return and refund policies. Stores may relax their return policies during the holiday season; others may require returns be made within a few days of purchase; a third type of store may only allow returns if a product is defective; and another group of stores may only give store credit instead of cash refunds.