Don't get tricked when buying Halloween treats | Business

From the BBB of Central East Texas:

Looking to buy or rent a Halloween costume this season? You’re not alone.

According to the National Retail Federation, a record 170 million Americans will spend close to $8 billion on candy, pumpkins, decorations and costumes – both for them and for their pets. Canadians will spend even more…about $75 per person (most of it on costumes). It’s a holiday we love, and retailers respond to that with specialty stores that set up shop in October and are gone the minute Halloween is over. Better Business Bureau is advising shoppers to know the red flags and read the fine print to avoid fly-by-night costume vendors.

“When shopping at seasonal, temporary Halloween stores, especially when you’re shopping last-minute, it’s important to exercise caution”, said Mechele Agbayani Mills, President and CEO of BBB Serving Central East Texas. “Even if the store has a returns policy, you should go in with the assumption that whatever you buy is yours to keep, no matter what.”

Here are some BBB protective measures to make sure your Halloween is “spooktacular”:

Do your research. Many seasonal stores are run by reputable retailers who take advantage of short-term leases on vacant space to set up temporary stores to augment their permanent space, but other shops may be in and out in a matter of weeks. Look for established companies with a good track record. While it is always good to check out a shop’s BBB Business Review at www.bbb.org, keep in mind that some seasonal businesses change their name from one year to the next as a way of disguising a poor track record. Ask around and know with whom you’re doing business before getting “tricked.”

Read the fine print. Just because it’s a seasonal store doesn't mean that the store or the business backing it up doesn’t have the same responsibilities as a year-round operation. Make sure to note the store’s refund and return policies to get a feel for all of the terms and conditions – they have to be made available.

Know what to expect before renting a costume. Rental costumes tend to be sturdier and more elaborate than the average Halloween costume, and you can often find something unique. Make sure you understand you responsibilities. What happens if, for example, the costume rips, you get a stain on it, or you lose it altogether? Do you have to pay for the whole costume? What about the cleaning? Make sure everything is spelled out in the rental agreement.

When purchasing costumes online, do it securely. Check a site’s security settings. If the site is secure, its URL (web address) should start with “https://.” You also may see a small picture of a closed lock in the lower right corner of the screen.

Do not click on any links. If you want to communicate with a business, use your favorite search engine to find their Web site and/or contact information. Do not trust the information provided in an unsolicited email.

For more consumer tips, check out www.bbb.org. To report a fraud or scam, call the BBB Hotline: (903) 581-8373.