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Welcome to this week’s edition of Your Moment of Trust! When shopping for a team jersey or other sports memorabilia, Watch out for fakes. Scammers know that authentic game-used and/or autographed items can fetch big bucks – especially for items commemorating big games.

When shopping online, it can be hard to trust that a seller or product is genuine. Follow these tips when buying sports memorabilia:

“Game-used” items are highly sought after. Buyers prize items that saw action on

the court or field as valuable parts of sports history. Consumers should be aware that there is a significant difference between “game-used” and “game-issued.” For example, a game-issued jersey was designed for the player to wear, but it may not actually have been worn. There’s nothing wrong with selling that game-issued item—unless the seller scuffs it up and tries to pass it off as game-used for a higher price.

Autographs are even trickier. With the use of autopen, manufacturers can reproduce ink signatures hundreds of times. Again, there’s nothing wrong with selling autopen-signed items as long as they’re not misrepresented as personally signed by the player and priced accordingly. Buyers also need to watch out for online listings that describe items as “hand-signed” without specifying whose hand-signed it. That could be technically correct but still highly misleading.

Outright forgeries can be the hardest to spot, and this issue has plagued collectors for decades. If you don’t have time to become an autograph authentication expert but still want to make purchases, here are some steps you can take.

How the scam works - an example

Victims of this scam typically find fake sports merchandise through a social media ad or a quick web search. These online scam stores have great photos and cheap prices, making them look believable.

Victims report that, at first, the purchase seems normal. The site charges their credit card and sends a confirmation email. However, weeks pass, and the jersey never arrives. The anticipation of having a keepsake of a favorite team is suddenly dashed when the victim tries to contact customer service. They quickly find that neither the company nor the product exists.

One disappointed fan reported the following to BBB Scam Tracker: “This company

advertised selling collector's items of sports merchandise in special boxes. Each box was supposed to have a certain number of team-related items like a jersey, signed football or mini helmet, etc. I paid 69.99 for the top box of Chicago Bears items. What I actually got was a cheap no-brand jersey, an NFL keychain, and a face mask. I went to good to be true. If the price of an item, collectible or not, is significantly less than what it is on other well-known retailers’ sites, this is a red flag that it might be a scam.

● Research the company before you purchase. If the company is unfamiliar,check BBB.org to see if they have a BBB Business Profile or BBB Scam Tracker to see if anyone else has reported them as a scam. Look for contact information on the website, such as a phone number or brick-and-mortar address, as well as a robust social media presence to help determine if the company indeed doesexist.

● Never wire money or use a prepaid debit card as payment. Scammers often request both payment types, and once the money is gone, there is no way to get the money back. Instead, make online purchases with a credit card and only onsecure (https) websites.

● Double-check COAs: Certificates of authenticity (COAs) are the norm for memorabilia purchases, especially for costly items —so it’s likely that scammers will try to provide fake ones. A valid COA should state the qualifications and complete contact information of the issuer. Before you trust a COA, ensure itcontains full and correct details on who issued it, and then make sure they’re alegitimate and reputable authority. If investing in a less expensive purchase that

is not offered with a COA, the buyer should still request a written representation from the seller about the authenticity and origin of the item. It is also essential to establish and get a written statement about the item’s physical condition before you purchase it.

● Take extra care at charity auctions: Some scammers target charities by providing “donations” of fake memorabilia. When considering a bid for an item at a charity auction, be vigilant and watch out for suspicious price valuations and shady authentications. When in doubt about an item, consider donating to the charity rather than an auction purchase.

● Seek a money-back guarantee: If possible, work with a dealer who can guarantee a full refund of your purchase if you ever discover it’s a fraud. Check all terms and conditions of the sale, especially limitations, before buying the item.

Until next time!

This Podcast is brought to you by BBB of the Tri-Counties

A BIG thank you to Ayers Automotive Repairs in Santa Barbara for supporting this podcast. https://www.bbb.org/local-bbb/bbb-of-the-tri-counties

Welcome to this week’s edition of Your Moment of Trust! Between booking flights, hotels, a rental car, and things to do, planning a vacation can get stressful. It’s one reason many travelers turn to vacation packages, which bundle multiple aspects of your trip. Vacation packages are simpler to purchase and can save you money too. To get the best deal and to avoid unpleasant surprises, BBB recommends the following tips when booking a vacation package.

● Count the cost. The best way to know if you’re getting a good deal on a vacation package is to check the price for booking each part of the vacation separately. If a vacation package costs more than purchasing hotels, flights, rental cars, etc., separately, you might want to make your bookings instead.

● Be flexible to get the best deal. Getting a better value for your vacation package is easier if you can be flexible with your dates. This is also true if you’re flexible with your destination. Is your heart set on Cancun, but it’s outside your budget? Why not consider a travel package that takes you to a lesser-known beach in Mexico? The same goes for airport choices. Being open to departing from any nearby airport might save you hundreds of dollars.

● Know that you can extend travel dates (usually). If you’re offered a package with pre-established dates, know that most packages allow you to extend your trip or modify the dates as you see fit. You’ll pay more for different dates, but it can be done. However, if you can’t extend your trip for the package you’re interested in, you can always find your way home. Taking advantage of the travel package and adding your travel plans to the end of your trip is still an option.

● Book early or last minute. You can also get a good deal by booking your trip early or scoring a last-minute deal. If last-minute travel plans sound stressful, consider blocking off the time earlier in the year and hunting up your travel package the week before.

● Read the fine print. Always read and re-read the fine print when booking a vacation package to ensure you know exactly what is included and what isn’t. Airfare and your hotel might be included in the price, but what about land transfers, tips, activities, amenities, and food? The last thing you want is to assume your package is all-inclusive, only to discover you’ll need to pay for more than you expected after arriving at your destination.

● Check the refund and cancelation policies. Get to know how cancelations and refunds are handled if your trip is interrupted by illness, bad weather, or other unforeseen events. You’ll find this information in the fine print as well.

● Think about loyalty points and travel rewards. If you travel regularly, you might want to earn points through a loyalty program you use or redeem travel rewards for your next trip. This isn’t always possible when booking vacation packages. However, it might be if you book a vacation package through the company you get rewards from. For example, if you have plenty of sky miles saved up through your favorite airline’s loyalty program, try booking a vacation package through them.

● Watch out for scams. As always, you’ll need to watch for bad actors when searching for a good vacation package. Book through reputable vendors and be wary of travel companies you haven’t heard of before. Research to ensure they have a good business reputation before booking a trip. Read plenty of reviews, keeping a close eye out for complaints and reports of scams.

Until Next time!

A Podcast by BBB of the Tri-Counties 

A BIG thank you to Ayers Automotive Repair in Santa Barbara for supporting this podcast.

Welcome to this week’s edition of Your Moment of Trust! 

Premiumization is when companies offer higher-end products and services for a premium price. Airlines selling both business class vs. economy seats are a classic example. Another is car manufacturers offering a standard model and one featuring heated seats and leather trim.

While these two examples have been around for decades, premiumization has expanded since the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, businesses selling everything from beauty products to booze are adding new premium options and services. As a consumer, evaluating premium options can be tricky. Here are BBB’s tips for weighing new premium options and ensuring you get the promised value.

Tips for navigating premiumization as a shopper

● Do your homework. Brands that offer premium products or services may look like luxury, but as with any purchase, doing some research is vital. Before paying a premium price, ensure the vendor is a trustworthy business with a reputation for good customer service. Look up businesses on BBB.org to review business ratings and comments from customers.

● Understand what makes a product premium. Many business owners are working to maintain profit margins by offering their clients added value in a premium package. However, if a product or service claims to be premium, find out why. Specifically, what makes it better than the basic option? If a vendor can’t give you a good answer, skip the premium price and shop elsewhere.

● Comparison shop. To get the best deal on anything, comparison shopping is a must. This is also true when considering a company’s premium offerings. Find out what similar companies offer and their price point to see if you are really getting added value for the higher price.

● Watch for “greenwashing.” Many companies promote premium options as more sustainable, lower waste, or all-natural. But be wary of misleading green marketing claims. The Federal Trade Commission advises consumers to look for specific information on packages and products that explain why the product is green.

● Keep track of subscriptions. Many companies offer premium services in the form of a subscription. This might mean paying a monthly fee for quicker delivery, exclusive content, or access to superior products. If you purchase a subscription,

and especially if you purchase multiple subscriptions, keep track of them. Review paid subscriptions regularly and cancel any you no longer need to avoid unnecessary spending.

● Don’t want premium? Explore new brands. While some companies are leaning into new premium offerings, others are filling the lower-price space with cheaper options. For example, make-up brands are creating new products similar to high-end options but sell for a fraction of the price.

● Stick to your budget. A good budget can do wonders for your financial health, but only if you respect your spending limits. If your budget only allows you to purchase the basic version of a product or service, skip the premium offerings to keep your finances in the green.

Until next time!