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BBB Trends: Spooked by Halloween sales? Don’t be haunted by a poor decision


By Sandra Guile
Better Business Bureau

Shopping for Halloween should be fun — not terrifying. With so many costume and decoration ideas, it’s hard to choose what to buy, and where to buy it. According to the National Retail Federation, Halloween spending for 2018 is expected to reach $9 billion, with consumers planning to spend an average of $86.79 each.

According to the survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, among Halloween celebrants, 70 percent plan to pass out candy, 50 percent will decorate their home or yard, 48 percent will wear costumes, 30 percent will take their children trick-or-treating and 18 percent will dress their pets in costumes. When it comes to purchasing costumes and other Halloween supplies, 45 percent of shoppers will visit discount stores, 35 percent will visit a Halloween store and 24 percent will shop online.

Avoid being spooked this Halloween with these tips:

Look around your home

Check what items you have in your home. You may find an old costume you can re-purpose or Halloween decorations you can put out. Doing this will not only help you save money, but you won’t end up with more than you need.

Rent a costume

Some people don’t like the idea of spending a lot of money on a costume that will only be worn once. While renting a costume leaves more room in your budget, know that the costume you may be getting may not be in great shape. If you opt for renting a costume this year, check out the condition of the costume first. Make sure you try it on and note any defects with the owner. Read over the rental agreement carefully and make sure you make note of the rental period.

Look for sales

Compare prices on Halloween costumes and decorations from various retail or online stores. Along with comparing prices, look for coupons and sign up for email alerts. This will help you get the best deals, saving you a nice chunk of change.

Always check the return policy  

Whether you are shopping in a store or online, always make sure you are clear on the store’s return policy before you buy. Find out how long you must keep your receipt, or what happens if you should lose your receipt. This will help you avoid any mishaps like unwanted items being non-refundable. Remember: Buying a bunch of stuff with the intent of simply returning it after October 31 is considered fraud.

Seasonal stores

If you decide to shop from a seasonal store, ask whether or not they will be open after the holiday, how long they plan to stay open, and if they will accept returns after Halloween is over. If they plan to close up shop November 1, or refuse returns after, either consider shopping elsewhere or take more time to be sure that item is exactly what you want before making the purchase.

Seasonal “pop-up” stores

Before going to the store itself, see if they have a website just in case you have to contact them later and as you’re shopping, carefully read the signage to make sure that you understand what items are final sale or clearance. When you do make a purchase, use a credit card and save all of your receipts.

Attending a special event or visiting a haunted house?

Before you purchase tickets, research the business and make sure that there are no complaints about the company hosting the event. Check out the company at bbb.org. Read what previous customers have to say, and see how the business responds to complaints. Check BBB Scam Tracker and see if other consumers have filed a report about the event host.

Sandra Guile is the Community Outreach Specialist for BBB. She promotes BBB’s message of marketplace ethics through public speaking engagements, presentations, media relations, press releases, web content, and other written materials.

Your BBB is located at 1 East 4th Street Suite 600 Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 – to reach the office, call (513) 421-3015.


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