MARLBOROUGH, MA — With Labor Day fast approaching, consumers will be taking advantage of deals on big ticket items or last-minute trips and the Better Business Bureau Serving E. Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island & Vermont (BBB) is advising consumers to be aware of potential scams.
“Labor Day is right around the corner and many consumers may be looking for last-minute deals on trips or big ticket items like new cars,” says Paula Fleming, vice president of the local BBB. “BBB wants to remind consumers to proceed with caution and do your research before making a large purchase.”
BBB offers the following tips for planning a last-minute trip:
Book through a reliable source. Check out travel agencies at bbb.org/boston or search the BBB Accredited Business Directory for one. Accredited Businesses must adhere to BBB’s 8 Standards for Trust, including to advertise honestly, be transparent, and honor promises.
Search for reputable online deals. There are many reputable websites that offer discount packages and travel deals, as well as travel sites that offer vacation packages at discounted rates. These are great options for finding legitimate trips at an affordable price. Be sure to read the deals carefully, as blackout dates and specific details may apply.
Get details about your trip in writing. Be sure to confirm all details in writing, such as total cost, flights, hotel reservations, car rental, or any restrictions that apply.
Use a credit card as payment. Paying by credit card offers the most protection should something go wrong or you need to dispute a charge.
Consider purchasing travel insurance. Travel insurance provides coverage for particular perils that occur on your trip under which it will pay out claims. Be sure to do your research on different travel insurance policies and thoroughly read the terms and conditions before purchasing.
Be wary of claims that you “won” a trip. Generally if you’ve truly won something, it will be given to you as a gift. Be especially leery if the offer is unsolicited. Check on any offers that sound too good to be true with your local Better Business Bureau.
BBB offers tips when searching for last-minute deals:
Search for sales ahead of time. Labor Day sales usually begin before the holiday and last several days. Check out store websites and online advertisements, as there are specific discounts being offered this Labor Day. Don’t be afraid to comparison shop and check prices on the same items at different locations.
Do your homework. If you’re shopping around for a new car, Labor Day is a great holiday for it. But before you sign on the dotted line, be sure to do your homework to find out exactly what you’re looking for, how much you can afford, and the type of customer incentives being offered. BBB offers consumers the Accredited Business Directory to find reputable dealerships in your area.
Share your experience. If you’ve had a great experience with a business, we want to hear about it! Submit a customer review with us at bbb.org/boston/customer-reviews to help your fellow customers make their purchasing decisions.
For more information you can trust, visit bbb.org/boston or like us on Facebook. To check out current scams or report a scam, visit bbb.org/scamtracker/boston.
ABOUT BBB
For more than 100 years, Better Business Bureau has been helping people find businesses and brands they can trust. In 2015, people turned to BBB more than 172 million times for BBB Business Reviews on more than 5.3 million businesses, all available for free at bbb.org.
The Council of Better Business Bureaus is the umbrella organization for the local, independent BBBs in the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as home to its national and international programs on dispute resolution, advertising review, and industry self-regulation. BBB Serving Eastern Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island and Vermont was founded in 1920.
(NOTE: The above press release is from the BBB.)
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