Buying the perfect gift starts with having a trustworthy buying experience.
5 Tips for finding that perfect gift online
Purchasing a gift online is a good way to send a present to a loved one or find an item that’s a little outside of the box of what’s available in stores. Buying the perfect gift starts with having a trustworthy buying experience.
Online shopping has become increasingly popular, to the point where 93% of people will buy at least some of their gifts online, according to a Shopify-Gallup survey; nearly half (47%) will use the internet to do all or most of their holiday shopping.
Use the tips below to help you have a successful and safe online gift-shopping experience, because the perfect gift is one that is purchased, sent, received (and maybe returned) without any extra ‘baggage’ and hassle.
1. Read the reviews
The value of BBB customer reviews
An ad on social media pitches you a product you would never buy for yourself, but it’s perfect for your grandmother. Before you buy, though, what's one of the most dependable ways to make sure your purchase is dependable? The reviews, of course. How many stars does the item have? Can the company be trusted?
Customer reviews help people choose trustworthy businesses based on experiences with the product or service they are considering.
Businesses appreciate reviews to help them monitor customer satisfaction and improve their processes. Businesses also like to highlight positive reviews to demonstrate their success and get more customers.
How to use reviews to help you make an informed decision
Sort by date and relevance. To get a sense of how the company operates right now, look for the most recent reviews.
Look at positive and negative feedback. Don’t just focus on the bad or the good; read several reviews to get an idea of the overall trends. Maybe all the negative feedback is focused on delivery- if you need the gift there by a certain date, that might be reason enough not to buy. But if the quality of products or services gets rave reviews and you don’t have a delivery deadline, it can be a sign to go ahead with your purchase.
Identify patterns. By reading multiple reviews, you can see common themes and recurring issues.
2. Review the return policies
The importance of return policies
Return policies offer a gift-giver peace of mind that if the gift has to be returned or exchanged, it can be done easily and quickly. If the boots don’t fit, or Aunt Donna doesn’t care for the popcorn you ordered, can it be sent back?
It’s important to review the return policy BEFORE adding the item to your online cart and checking out. Once you’ve clicked on “pay now,” it’s too late, and your aunt will have to keep that tin of kettle corn or give it to someone else.
Tips for reviewing return policies
Find the return policy section of the website (it’s sometimes helpful to open a new browser tab to do this). If you can’t find a return policy, that’s a red flag.
Check the return window. How long does the company accept returns? The more generous the window, the better, but 30 days is a reasonable expectation.
Understand return shipping costs, procedures and restocking fees. If the buyer or recipient has to travel to a shipping office, pay the shipping fee, and then a restocking fee is deducted from the refund, is it worth it?
3. Checking shipping and delivery information
Here are some tips for a smooth delivery.
- Verify estimated shipping times and fees. Some large shopping sites, like Amazon and Etsy, have sellers that have a wide range of shipping times and fees. You probably don’t want to send a gift that has to travel three weeks on a ship and then cross the country to get to your recipient if the occasion is next week.
- You may have to pay extra to get the gift rushed to the receiver. Some retailers may even offer gift-wrapping services, usually for a fee. Decide if the extra charges are worth it before buying.
- Track that package. Most reputable brands will provide tracking details, so hang on to those estimated delivery dates and tracking numbers.
4. Shopping locally
Benefits of supporting local businesses
Shopping locally can be a meaningful way to give a gift that comes from your community. But local businesses are online, too! Think of your neighbor who has an Etsy shop selling her custom screen-printed items, local coffee shops, restaurants and gyms selling gift cards and memberships online. Your local theaters, zoos and museums might sell yearly passes that you can purchase via their websites.
Shopping locally, whether in person or online, benefits your local economy and has a positive impact on your community at large. You can often find unique and personalized gifts that have the personal touch of a local business. BBB encourages consumers to support small businesses.
How to find local businesses online without leaving your sofa
Use local search filters and directories
On BBB.org, you can search your local area by filling in the “near” box on our search form.
In a search engine, like Google or Bing, you can enter “[business type] near me” and get results near you.
On apps like Facebook Marketplace and Etsy (a BBB Accredited Business), you can use a filter for results in a radius of miles of your home.
Your chamber of commerce may have a directory of local businesses and their websites.
5. Look for The Sign of a Better Business
You can be confident that when you do business with an Accredited Business, whether online or in person, you are dealing with an ethical and vetted business. Click on the BBB Seal on a business’s website, or visit BBB.org to look up a business.
And remember: If you do ever have an issue with a BBB Accredited Business, BBB will work with you and the business to resolve that issue.
