LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — With the holiday shopping in full swing, the Better Business Bureau and Attorney General Dana Nessel are partnering up to warn citizens of holiday scams.
Specifically, both parties are warning of a tactic called “Drop shipping.”
Officials say that “drop shipping” is a tactic used by self-proclaimed entrepreneurs to skim off the top of holiday must-haves and other goods throughout the year. Sellers set up websites to peddle products they do not keep in stock and send orders placed through their sites to various third parties to fulfill and ship the product directly to the consumer – all while charging markup-ups of up to $50 or more.
“As we approach the holiday season, it is imperative we arm Michigan consumers with the information they need to shop wisely and avoid being victims of holiday scams,” Nessel said. “While not always illegal, drop-shipping is a tactic that can increase the out-the-door price for consumers who could have purchased products cheaper elsewhere.”
In response to the scam, Nessel’s office is providing the following tips for online shoppers:
- Research the product and the seller of the product you want to purchase before you buy it;
- Complete an online image search of the product and other images the seller has posted to their site to see where the product is coming from, how much it really costs, and who else is selling it; and
- Compare prices for the same or similar products from other sellers.
Shoppers are advised to stay alert as Black Friday and Christmas are looming ever closer.
Nessel’s office also notes that this is only one out of a series of shopping alerts that will be released this season.
