Consumers and Stores Return Policies

2024 Return Policy Survey: SOME RETAILERS TIGHTEN RETURNS. Some mainstream retail chains tweaked their return policies this year by shortening the return window for regular or holiday purchases or by adding other restrictions according to Consumer Worlds 21st annual return policy survey. Target, Kohls, Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy and Macys were among the stores making some changes. Though some are shorter this year, most stores continue to offer extended holiday return periods whereby gifts purchased as early as October first, such as in Walmarts case, can be returned until mid- to late-January, considerably beyond the normal deadline. What hasnt changed is the complexity of stores return policies that are designed in part to reduce return fraud which amounts to over $100 billion a year according to the National Retail Federation. The combined policies of the 11 chains surveyed amount to over 35,000 words and 78 pages of fine print. Amazons return policy alone is 6,300 words and scattered over multiple webpages. Read more Info at: https://www.consumerworld.org/pages/returns.htm

Worthless Gift Cards

"Watch Out for Worthless Gift Cards."
Americans love giving and receiving gift cards: Sales are projected to reach $308 billion in 2024, according to Javelin Strategy & Research, a company that tracks the industry, up from $124 billion 10 years ago.

Unfortunately, soaring sales are accompanied by gift card theft, an easy heist that carries little risk of getting caught. Stealing money from gift cards has become so lucrative that foreign fraudsters are now involved. U.S. law enforcement is focusing on criminal gangs in China that are targeting the U.S. gift card market (more on that later).

The most common way thieves drain money from gift cards is by shoplifting them from supermarkets and other retailers and then manipulating the package to steal the card information. The compromised cards are then placed back in stores, and the stolen information is added to a computer program that tracks the cards to see when they are activated.

“The minute you load money onto one of those cards, the crooks are notified, and they instantly drain it, sometimes even before you leave the store,” said Amy Nofziger, director of fraud victim support at the AARP Fraud Watch Network. “Unfortunately, the theft may not be discovered for weeks or even months after the purchase, when the recipient uses the card and it’s worthless.”

Formerly an occasional nuisance, gift card draining is now a common crime. A 2022 AARP Fraud Watch Network survey found that a quarter (23 percent) of American consumers have given or received gift cards that had no funds on them. The average loss was $140.

But no one really knows how much money is drained from gift cards each year. The National Association of Retailers doesn’t track these losses, and FBI data does not have a separate category for this crime.

READ more at: https://www.checkbook.org/delaware-valley-area/consumers-notebook/articles/Watch-Out-for-Worthless-Gift-Cards-7884

The Buy Now Pay Later Problem

"Buy Now, Pay Later Often a Debt Trap."
by Herb Weisbaum, The ConsumerMan

Despite stretched household budgets and concerns about the economy, American shoppers are expected to spend more—and take on more debt—this holiday season. Consumer spending on gifts, food, decorations, and other seasonal items is expected to hit a record of $902 per person, $25 more than last year, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey.

The number of shoppers using buy now, pay later (BNPL) financing continues to grow. Adobe predicts BNPL will hit a record $9.5 billion during the month of November and it forecasts that Cyber Monday 2024 will be BNPL’s largest day ever, at $993 million.

The financial technology companies offering these point-of-sale loans (and they are loans) have a marketing message that appeals to cash-strapped families who don’t have credit or have maxed out their cards. They promote BNPL as “a smarter way” to pay than with credit cards, one that offers “flexibility” and “no surprises.” Approval is instant, and there’s no hard credit check.

When used wisely, these loans can help consumers deal with cash flow problems without turning to more expensive credit, such as payday loans or high-interest credit cards. When they aren’t used wisely, they can turn into high-cost loans with serious consequences.

READ more at: https://www.checkbook.org/boston-area/buy-now-pay-later/

Digital Wallet or Debit Card

"Digital Wallet vs. Debit Card: Which Is Safer?"

KEY POINTS
    Rising debit card crime rates adds to the appeal of digital wallets.
    Digital wallet transactions are encrypted, which makes it harder to steal your information.
    Debit cards may offer more in the way of consumer protection.

Digital wallet usage is skyrocketing, according to a recent J.D. Power study. It showed that almost half of Americans had used a digital wallet in the previous 90 days. They're such a convenient way to store debit and credit cards, loyalty cards, gift cards, and more, that I often leave my actual wallet at home.

Convenience isn't the only benefit. Fans also argue high-level encryption makes digital wallets more secure than cards. But how safe are they really? Read on to find out how debit cards and digital wallets stack up, safety-wise.

Are digital wallets safer than debit cards?

I don't want to sound alarmist, you're at risk every time you use your debit card. Your card information and three-digit security code are printed there for anyone to see. If you physically swipe, the card reader could be rigged to let criminals skim your information. Someone may see you enter your PIN at the ATM. Last year, FICO said debit card crime nearly doubled from the year before.

READ more online at: https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/banks/articles/digital-wallet-vs-debit-card-which-is-safer/

If you like Traffic Exchange

Welcome to U.S.WebSurf

Auto/Manual Surf and PTC web traffic system. It is free to join and you can begin to enjoy the benefits today.

Auto Surf with 10 sec. timer, Manual Surf with 5 sec. timer. Signup bonus 2,000 Auto Credits and 100 Manual Credits (just surf 50 auto sites and 20 manual sites to activate). Random Surfbar bonuses (just click them to earn the bonuses). 1:1 Surf Ratio For Free Members. PTC Ads - Either view for bonuses or create Pay To Click ads. Downline Bonuses - Earn when your referrals signup and earn more when they surf Random Prize Pages (click to win credits).

Daily Sign in bonuses. Free Unlimited Banner for each member. Prize Pages to win Banner Ad, Featured Ad, Text Ad or Surfbar Ad. Splash Pages and banners to help you promote and build your downline. First Page shown to all surfers can be purchased like other ads. We monitor for spammers and cheaters. Anti-cheat protection is built in. Safe surfing, all sites are checked by admin before approved and users can report any abusive site. Easy access to Admin support. Guaranteed replies within a maximum of 24 hours.

Join for free at: https://www.uswebsurf.com/signup.php

Quiz and Learning Site

Polas.us (Private Online Learning Access Site) is a Private Website own by the Taylor Family in Philadelphia PA, U.S.A. It is for Registered Members to access and participate in short Quiz and Special Learning Discussions via Text Chat. However, we also offer Banner and Text Links Advertising to Members and Visitors to our Website to advertise or promote their Websites Business or Information online.

Our aim is to inform, advise, help, share with and inspire (on various topics/issues) those who live in Philadelphia, the United States and elsewhere in the World via Online Internet Connections to our Website.

Our Site was created by Mike Taylor from the Taylor Family. It is inspired by real life knowledge, work and communication with those who we encountered from our daily life in Philadelphia PA, Queens NY, Camden NJ, other places in the United States, Overseas and Online.

We aim to also create an ethical environment online where everyone who agrees with our Website Service, Terms and Rules can access our Site Information, be informed, share, and like the Inspirations or Services we provide.

We Promote your Website

Our Website Text Link Ads and Banner Ads Service is available to all our Registered Verified Members. Upon joining our Site, you will gain access to our user-friendly Interface that allows you to submit your Text and Banner Ads within minutes. You can also purchase additional Text Link Ads and Banner Ads as a Member.

Not only do we provide free Text and Banner Ads to our Registered Members, but we also offer Referral Bonuses. For every New Member you refer to our Site, you will receive additional Advertising Credits that you can use to promote your business. This means that you can continue to earn free Advertising Credits as you grow your Business or Network, and expand your reach.

We understand that Online Businesses have different needs when it comes to Advertising and Promotion, which is why we offer Flexible Membership Options. Our Free Membership Offer provides you with access to limited free Banner Ads and free Text Ads. Our Upgraded Pro Membership Offer has additional Advertising benefits. All Members can purchase additional Text Link Ads and Banner Ads from our Membership Area.

Nice Items Store

Welcome to our Nice Items Digital Download Store courtesy of the Taylor Family in Philadelphia PA, U.S.A.

Access our Nice Items. ** Register and Activate. ** Browse and Select. ** Decide and Pay. ** Download and Receive.

This is our Online Store for nice and easy Digital Download Products. Our Products come in digital format (i.e. e-books, videos, graphics, etc). We offer Products that require Adobe Reader, MS Word Document, Power Point, and so on. That means, they can be easily downloaded to your own computer or tech device.

We offer family friendly and ethical business Products or Items to everyone. Once you pay for an Item/Product, you’ll be able to access and download it (after payment verification). That can be done from the download link/information via the the email address you used in your registration as a customer/client in your purchase and/or payment for the Item/Product.

Thank you for visiting our Online Store, Registering and Shopping.