CROMWELL, Conn. — The season of fairs is upon us, and at these locations, residents can buy a range of items that they won’t find in traditional stores.
Amid the excitement, customers must be savvy to ensure they make wise purchases. Fortunately, the Better Business Bureau Serving Connecticut has mapped out numerous ways to make your way through these events without being scammed.
The BBB says that it receives numerous complaints each year about temporary retail locations, reporting difficulties getting refunds and poorly made merchandise. While pop shops can be a good time, one must be careful throughout the experience.
It is worthwhile to review purchase policies and determine a company’s refund policies before spending money. Reconsider doing business with a pop-up shop that can’t commit to how they will handle potential problems with their goods or services, the BBB says.
Paying attention to quality can’t hurt either. Every now and then, pop-up shops sell counterfeit items, so the BBB says to be cautious when purchasing designer goods or the latest “must have” gifts. Prices that are significantly lower than regular retail stores could be a red flag that the items are stolen or fake.
The BBB says if someone purchases an item with a manufacturer’s warranty, they should ask how they can get the product serviced if needed.
One of the most crucial tips the BBB offers is to guard your personal information. Small purchases might only require cash, and in that case, you likely won’t have recourse if something is not right. When purchasing larger items with a credit or debit card, make sure to hang on to the receipt to match it with your statement later.
Be aware of scams, the BBB says. If a vendor is insistent on methods that seem unusual or pushes you to buy quickly, that could be a red flag. Scammers might look to circumvent safeguards that might otherwise protect consumers.
Phony social media posts are a real thing too. Fair organizers have informed the BBB that scammers are advertising fake fair merchandise in the comments of the fair’s official social media posts. Check in with fair organizers or visit the fair’s official website instead of responding to a comment in the feed.
BBB’s Scam Tracker, which receives complaints regarding scams and stores them to help protect other consumers, has received reports of scammers pretending to be craft fair planners who trick vendors out of money and personal information.
Before attending a fair, do your homework. Look up the organizers of the event, access their website, read reviews and process other details. Also, talk to other vendors in your area to find out if they’ve heard of the fair.
Even when a craft fair is legitimate, the BBB says to be careful when paying for your spot. According to the BBB, if an event organizer insists on payment through a digital wallet app, especially using the friends and families feature, think twice. Peer-to-peer payment systems are the same as paying cash; you can’t get the money back once it’s sent.
The BBB also encourages consumers not to give in to intimidation tactics. You might be dealing with a con artist if they pressure you into participating or are pushy about receiving payment but hesitant to give details about the craft fair.
Festival fortune tellers can’t always be trusted either. The BBB says what starts as a small fee for a quick reading can quickly escalate, as psychics may try to upsell more services, saying that you need further readings or special rituals to remove negative energy or solve problems. The additional services can be costly and lead to a cycle of continued payments, the BBB says.
Be wary of emotional manipulation as well, as some psychics use cold reading techniques, which involve making vague, general statements that could apply to anyone. They may also play with your emotions by predicting negative outcomes and then offering you a service to change them.
The BBB says there is a lack of accountability with many street psychics. Once you pay them, it can be difficult to get your money back, even if you realize you’ve been scammed.
Never give a psychic too much personal information, as they could use it against you. Manipulation is possible, as is identity theft.
Beyond the possible scams, fairs are a great time, and countless people will enjoy them this fall. Here’s to having fun without getting ripped off!
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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