Alertness and budgeting, watch words for holiday shoppers (AUDIO)

Black Friday is looming and many persons have already started their holiday shopping . South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs spokesperson Carri Grube-Lybarker cautions shoppers to not get sucked into some of the promotional offers that on the surface look like bargains, but when you peel back the layers it’s not a really good deal. Grube-Lybarker says read sales ads carefully and take the time to shop around.

Grube-Lybarker says shoppers should set a strict budget and stick to it in order to avoid the interest charges associated with “pulling out the plastic.”

 AUDIO: Grube-Lybarker says watch out for those too good to be true promotions and refrain from reaching for the credit card :43

Grube-Lybarker says if you’re shopping online, make sure the protections on your computer are stout and up to date. Also if you’re shopping at a site that requires a user name and a password, make sure that the information you use cannot be easily guessed, for example your maiden name or your birth date as a password should never be used.

Grube-Lybarker says before you purchase an item online, make sure it is from a reputable business establishment that can be contacted in case there is a problem associated with your purchase.

AUDIO: Grube-Lybarker says when shopping online, proceed with caution :44

 Grube-Lybarker says the Department of Consumer Affairs fields a large volume of complaints shortly after the holiday season, and a number of them have to do with refund policies.

AUDIO: Grube-Lybarker says it’s a good idea to find out about a store’s refund policy before you buy

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