Mother’s Day is Sunday, Mary 8th. The National Retail Federation reports families will spend about $245 dollars on mom this year and 84% of Americans plan to celebrate. The biggest sellers will be flowers, jewelry and for a special outing.
Nebraska Better Business Bureau reminds everyone to use caution while shopping and take precautions against getting scammed, especially online. They recommend avoiding suspicious websites and pop up ads. Make sure the website has the “https://” and the “lock” icon in the URL. Don’t click on hyperlinks in unsolicited emails.. Pay with credit cards or PayPal and understand all refund policies.
One of the biggest sellers on Mother’s Day are flowers. Josh Planos is Vice President of Communications and Public Relations with the BBB and tells KLIN News, ” Scams are unfortunately popping up, not just around Lincoln but around the country around Mother’s Day with regards to online shopping, which is increasingly difficult and scammable. Look for florists in your area that have reviews so less of the chains and more of the local “mom & pop” shops because you know what you are getting.”
Complaints filed with BBB about florists included flowers being late, wrong, or not delivered. Also, it is not uncommon for local flower shops to be affiliated with third-party entities. BBB advises consumers to confirm that the business they are placing their order with is in fact affiliated with that online source. If you are sending flowers to your mother in another city, it is best to check online for a florist in her area. Make sure you have enough time for delivery, ask about all fees associated with your order and make sure the date is specified clearly and guaranteed when you order.
If you are buying mom a new phone, tablet or other electronic device, make sure you leave it in the original packaging. Many retailers require the original packaging in order to process returns or exchanges. If jewelry is on your list, consider visiting a store near your versus buying online. Keep receipts and read the fine print and ask about their return policy.
Gift cards and certificates are big sellers so check the terms and conditions before buying. Make sure it is good for online purchase and not just for in-store use.
For more tips for safe shopping, click here.