Pop-up shops are another part of the holiday season and can be good ways to get seasonal and homemade unique crafts as gifts. But there are some common consumer complaints that come in after the holidays are over.
There are many pop-up shops not just this time of year but during many holidays and festivals. And they are legit businesses with good people who are sharing their crafts and trying to make extra money.
But there are some tips out there to make sure you have the best experience with them.
“Pop-up shops are great if you are trying to find a unique item, but you also have to be careful with what happens after the fact. What happens if your recipient says, ‘I don’t like this,’ then can you take it back, can you exchange it or are you just out of luck?” said Amie Mitchell, the President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau in Tulsa.
Mitchell says consumer complaints about pop-up shops don’t happen during the holiday season but afterwards and for two big reasons.
Either someone buys something but then something goes wrong with the item after the holiday is over or someone buys a gift for someone who then goes to make a return or exchange but can’t find the seller because the place it was bought from popped up over the holidays and went away once the holiday was over.
“Most of these businesses are going to pop up and then they’re going to go away. So things you need to know are like where’s the headquarters of this business? Are they going to honor any refunds or exchanges after the holidays are over? What is the redemption policy should something happen with the product?” Mitchell said.
The BBB advises you do the following things when dealing with pop-up shops not just during the winter holidays but all holidays:
- Shop around. Is the pop-up shop offering you true handmade items or is it just selling mass-produced theme items you can get cheaper elsewhere?
- Pay attention to quality. A shockingly lower price on an item you know is popular could signal it’s fake or counterfeit.
- Guard your personal information. Keep in mind, you may never see these people again so consider paying cash or protect yourself with your credit card’s built-in fraud protections.
- Ask how to contact the seller after the holiday and see if there even are return policies to something you will buy.
- And because returns may be difficult to do, perhaps this may not be the place to shop for someone who is picky.
If you believe for whatever reason your purchase will need service or care after the holidays have passed, don’t be afraid to ask for how to get in touch with the seller after the holidays are done.
For more tips on dealing with holiday pop-up shops, click here.
