Tips for a thrifty holiday
BBB: Before purchasing a used item, inspect it closely and ask questions if necessary
(InvestigateTV) — The holiday shopping season is in full swing, and while many people are checking off items on their gift lists, they are also looking for ways to save money.
“A lot of people are doing the ‘thrifty Christmas’ this year,” said Melanie McGovern with the BBB. “They’re either selling items that they don’t use anymore to buy gifts for others, or they’re shopping secondhand to try to find items that no one else has.”
Thrifting is about more than saving money – it’s about smart shopping.
McGovern said whether people are buying or selling, it pays to do their research.
“Making sure you’re using the right platform, that you understand the terms and conditions, you understand how you get paid for the item, if you’re selling through a third party or a platform,” she noted.
For those shopping secondhand, watch for red flags that could signal a scam.
“It’s interesting, if it’s an item that you see for way less and that they have multiple of that item, that sometimes can be a red flag that it might be either a counterfeit product or not a real ad,” she cautioned.
She said to also be sure to vet the seller or source.
“You want to look at the different platforms and see, what are the reviews? What are the seller’s reviews?” McGovern stressed. “A lot of these platforms will rate a seller as well. So, you want to make sure that you’re dealing with a reputable seller when you’re shopping on the secondhand platforms and ask a ton of questions.”
And before buying, check the return policy – many thrift stores don’t offer returns.
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