Holiday Shopping Saftey
Mary Thompson, Capstone Brokerage President, November 18, 2015
The weather outside is frightful… ok not quite here in Las Vegas, but it is chilly. The holidays are around the corner and, with many Americans already holiday shopping, the busiest retail season has begun. Yes I hate to admit it, I am one of them. While consumers are more driven to buy early, save money, and get the deal before it is too late, one should consider safety when it comes to holiday shopping. If you venture out on black Friday to score some major deals like me, be sure to take precautions when “stuffing” the car.
Every year without fail I say, “I am going to buy less this year,” especially when it comes to my grandkids. However, being the doting grandmother that I love to be I NEVER listen to my inner voice telling me my kids will kill me if I buy one more thing. Last year when I got home on black Friday, my small SUV was literally stuffed to the brim and the trunk would barely close. Myself along with Capstone Brokerage sponsors several families, young children and teens every year on top of a large family of my own. In other words, I purchase a lot for the holidays. I think of how reckless I was in years past, filling my car and going from one store to the next. Not only was it not safe to drive my car when I couldn’t see out of any of the windows, but I was like a moving target for a thief.
I am going to be smarter this year and have created a list of safe shopping tips:
1.) Shopping alone is never really something I like to do on busy days. A woman or man alone in a parking garage trying to load a car is a green light for petty theft. I always wake up super early, while it is still dark, and drag someone with me. Remember the old saying, safety in numbers? Well, it holds true during shopping season, too.
2.) Perhaps most important is to secure your purse or wallet. Thieves look for a victim who isn’t paying attention at the register. Identity theft is the last thing you want to deal with during the holiday season.
3.) KEEP YOUR RECIEPTS. I can not stress this enough. Not only for the obvious reasons: an item not fitting, or being purchased by more then one grandparent (yes my daughters in-laws have had some of the same amazing gifts for my grandkids under their tree as me), but from an insurance standpoint you need to keep receipts incase you do incur a loss of some kind. It will make filling a claim much easier if you are organized and have all your receipts in one place. I like to designate an envelope to receipts every year; it makes it much easier to keep track of everything, too.
4.) Be sure to store your merchandise out of sight. I always bring a blanket to cover my purchases once placed in my car. This reduces the likelihood of attracting a car thief.
5.) Lastly, don’t think it is awkward to ask for help to your car. Stores are prepared for such requests and will be happy to escort you (carry some of your load) to your car.
When it comes to protecting your purchases, add any big ticket items to your homeowners’ policy such as those new diamond earrings you just bought for your wife. If you plan to store your gifts out of site, like in the garage, be sure to not leave the door open as an invitation for thieves. Lastly, if you plan to shop online this holiday season, remember that packages outside your door are not secure. Try and get them off the porch as soon as possible. Other alternatives? Have the items shipped to your office or a neighbor’s home to avoid loss.
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