The holiday shopping season is upon us. This year, many Black Friday and Small Business Saturday shoppers will not only be heading back online like last year, but will also make the trip to stores in person.

However, shoppers should beware that changes are having an affect on the shopping experience, whether in person for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, or online for Cyber Monday. The continued pandemic, hiring challenges for retailers, shipping delays and product shortages make this year’s shopping experience unique.

The Better Business Bureau wants everyone to have a successful shopping experience.

Tips for shopping in person on Black Friday & Small Business Saturday:

Do your research. Read product and seller reviews before making a purchase.

Report misleading ads to www.bbb.org/all/bbbi/adtruth/report-a-bad-ad

Know the return policy. Check beforehand if the store offers a return policy, and if so, how it works. For example, if a store has a 30 day return window, the deadline to return the item may expire before the gift is given, or the window to make a return may be short. Understand that many retailers change their policies for the holiday season.

Check www.BBB.org for Business Profiles of the stores you plan to shop at. You can also find locally-owned restaurants, bakeries, and coffee shops when you are out.