Q. The holiday shopping season has arrived. What consumer advice does BBB offer for making wise buying decisions and shopping safely?
A. Black Friday is the single busiest shopping day of the year. Some retailers even offer “door busters” that begin shortly after Thanksgiving dinner. Undeterred by the lines and crowds, millions of consumers get excited to nab unbeatable deals on the hottest new toys and popular electronics. Some retailers are getting a jump start and selling bargains early.
According to the National Retail Federation, consumers spent an average of $313.29 on gifts and other holiday items over the five-day period between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday last year. The most popular items are apparel, toys, books, and video games.
Better Business Bureau offers these tips to make your Black Friday shopping experience productive and maybe even enjoyable:
Make the most of Black Friday deals. Start with a list of items you are looking for and use sale flyers and promotions to determine which store has the best price. Also, figure out how much you can afford to spend and stick to it!