The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that America has 70.1 million fathers, and many of them will receive Father’s Day gifts from appreciative family members this weekend. Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona wants to help families avoid scams when they’re shopping for gifts.

“Father’s Day should be a time of celebration, not disappointment,” said Kim States, BBB President. “Before you buy a gift, you should check refund and exchange policies, whether you’re buying from a store or going online. Ask about any warranties on durable items and gadgets.”

Popular gifts and things to consider when buying them include:

Gift cards and gift certificates: Check terms and conditions of any gift card or certificate before you buy it. Does the certificate expire if it’s not used by a specific date. Are there fees associated with buying or redeeming a gift card? Can the card be used online or only in a store?

Electronics: If you decide to buy a camera, GPS system, cell phone, music player or another electronic device, be sure you keep it in its original packaging. Encourage your Dad to look it over carefully before opening it. Some stores may not accept returns if the packaging has been opened or removed. If it needs batteries, find out what kind and whether they are included.

Recreational rentals: If you want to rent campers, boats or other recreational equipment for your dad, be sure you get a written contract that details the cost, insurance and time restrictions. Inspect the rental and get written proof of existing damage before renting the equipment.

Guides, tours and classes: Fishing, sightseeing, skydiving and golf lessons can be a fun way to spend time with Dad. But you will need to get the details in writing in advance of the trip or class. Make sure you clarify the following:

• Are reservations required and if so, by when?
• What are the total costs and features.
• What services and equipment are included?
• Are taxes, tips or other charges added.
• Are there any restrictions or special time requirements.
• Are there cancellation fees or refund penalties or policies

Clothing or personal items: Despite our best intentions, sometimes there may be a problem with the item or it may not fit. If you don’t know what size or color your father prefers, make returns easy by getting a gift receipt.

Before you do business with any company, check its BBB Business Review by calling (520)888-5353 or going to www.tucson.bbb.org.

When you are packing for those summer trips Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona urges you to think about what you don’t want to take along and what not to do on the trip — to avoid con artists.

On more than one occasion I have turned to Sid Kirchheimer, writer for the AARP Bulletin for tips. In the May, 2012 issue Sid has the following tips:

1. Contact your credit card providers. They will appreciate you letting them know where you are going so they can more effectively track bogus charges and not freeze your card for unusual activity.
2. Stop your mail. I choose to have a neighbor collect our mail. That same neighbor is good enough to pick up our newspaper every day. Be careful not to broadcast on Facebook that you are out of town. Wait and post pictures of your trip after you have returned home.
3. Remove those extra credit cards from your wallet. You only need your driver’s license and two credit cards. Sid says to carry one card and lock the other in a hotel room safe in case your wallet is stolen. If something happens to one, you have a back up.
4. Leave your checkbook at home. You won’t need it; use your credit cards.
5. Be cautious when using the hotel computers or other public computers. Wait to access your financial data until you get home.
6. Outsmart “front desk” fraudsters. They call in the middle of the night pretending to be a hotel clerk asking for your credit card number again because their computers crashed.

Best wishes for safe travels and good times.

Whether you are ordering flowers, shopping for custom jewelry, or arranging for a special spa day appointments for the wonderful women in their life, be a smart consumer. BBB sees lots of scams that focus on holiday shopping, and is warning consumers to proceed with caution before falling victim to a Mother’s Day vender scam, especially when shopping online.

BBB urges consumers to take extra precaution with placing floral orders, especially online. “Not all online florists are the same,” says Kim States, BBB President. “While some people are extremely happy with their online floral purchases, others find themselves disappointed when the flowers don’t arrive on time, or don’t arrive at all.” In 2011, more than 96,000 consumers searched for trustworthy florists on www.bbb.org. Most major floral delivery services are BBB Accredited Businesses, as are more than 500 local florists across the U.S. and Canada.

When finalizing gifts and shopping online, Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona recommends adhering to the following:

Do your homework. Before ordering flowers, jewelry or any other gifts for Mother’s Day, check out the company’s BBB Business Review at www.tucson.bbb.org. This is a great way to help prevent disappointment with the product or customer service.

Allow time for shipping and delivery. Check with the retailer or website to be certain that you have allowed enough time for delivery. Make sure that this date is specified clearly and guaranteed when you order. If you order ahead of time, delivery and other charges will be less than last-minute or overnight shipping. Some florists offer discounts for deliveries a couple of days before a major holiday, since that helps them deal with the rush.

Have a back-up plan. Make sure you understand the store’s guarantee. Find out how customer complaints are handled and what recourse you will have if the arrangement is not satisfactory. It’s best to use a credit card when ordering online, because you can dispute charges if the vendor doesn’t come through. Charges made on a debit card are the same as cash and you have no recourse through your bank if there is a problem.

Make sure the business has your information.  When it comes to flower delivery, there are times when delivery instructions need to be confirmed or a delivery driver needs additional directions. Making sure the florist has a call-back phone number or your cell phone to help them make sure your mom gets what you expect.

For more tips you can trust, visit www.tucson.bbb.org.