Gone SHOPPING

While we all know shopping locally is the best thing you could possibly do, we also know the lure of big box sales this holiday shopping season on big-ticket items. Before you head cut to the mall or scope out those online retailers, there’s some secrets you need to know to help you save money, time, your sanity and most importantly. to stay safe.

Kendrick Shope, international sales expert. CEO & creator of the Authentic Selling@ process offers her top 8 tips for consumers this holiday shopping season:

BE CASTIOUS OF THOSE DOORBUSTER ITEMS

There’s always that one door-buster item that seems like the price is too good to be true The truth is. there’s a reason for that. It’s usually an item that either isn’t selling well, is plagued with problems or doesn’t live up to its hype. The allure of snatching up an unbelievable deal might be more of a headache than it s worth in the long run.

READ THE FINE PRINT:

When that flat screen TV is advertised far 4600 off. read the flue print. Is it limited to the first 20 customers through the door? Is it only a special Oder from 4am to 5am? There are big savings an Black Friday and throughout the holiday season, hut the really deep discounts usually are mare limited than people realize.

GET A BAKIOC SCANNER ON YOUR SMART PHONE AND USE PRICE-COM PARISON WEBSITE:

Let’s say you’re in Walmart and see a blender you want to gift someone. How do you know if you’re getting the best price of all the major retail-era? Install an app that scans the barcode and tells you the price at all other retailers. There are many apps you can download such as RedLaser. Shop Savvy and Flipp Also, don’t forget about price-comparison Internet-hopping sites like pi icegrsbber.com

KNOW THE RETURM POLICY

Many holiday season special priced items don’t come with the same return policy as items bought the rest of the year. In fact, some of the trigger sale items might be an “all sales final or have a very limited window for returns. Make sure you know what you’re getting into. Nonetheless, always give a gift receipt when the purchase is for someone else.

GET SOCIAL AND CONNECTEI OH EMAIL:

Make sure you are following your favorite retailers on social media and that you’ve signed up far email alerts. These stares are always looking to grow their following and increase their fan base. In exchange, scone of them will let you in on secret sales taking place or they might extend special coupon codes that nobody else will know except their social media followers and those who opt into receive emails. This year, Facebook and Twitter are still popular, and don’t forget about Instagram.

IT’S MUCH MORE JUST BLACK FRIDAY:

It used to be if you wanted the beat deal yon had to fight it out with other shoppers the day after Thanksgiving. But it’s a different game now. While Black Friday is still big for: deals, don’t forget about Cyber Monday. A lso many retailers run big weeklong sales after Thanksgiving, while others start them a week or two before. Consumers have to do their research to find the best deals.

SHOP SAFE:

Tis the season for giving, but cyber criminals are lurking and just waiting to grab hold of your credit card information. When shopping online, make sure you are connected to a secured wi-fi connection. Also, make sure the website address begins with https;//instead of the standard http://Finally, cybercriminals have created clone websites of the originals that look identical but are off by a single letter in the address. Double check the website address to make sure you are where you want to be. The bottom line: use caution when shopping online.

DON’T BITE OFF MORE THAM YOU CAN CHEW:

When it cones to holiday shopping. the best advice is to use a little Evaluation se and don’t spend more than you have. Retailers are going to do everything they can to lure you in. 30 budget a certain amount for each person you have to buy for and stick to it Remember, the credit bill is going to come next month arid you want to be able to comfortably pay it off sand net go into debt.

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