Spot the red flags before you click buy and avoid a return later

• Shoppers are on track to return $850 billion in 2025and nearly 1 in 5 of those returns started online.
• Before you buy, do a quick auditzoom customer photos, read specs (fabric/fit/materials), check the size chart, scan newestreviews, confirm seller/return policy, and Google the exact model number.
• The payoff: Fewer duds, fewer UPS drop-offs, and more keepers that fit, match, and actually work at home.

According to the National Retail Federation, shoppers are expected to return a whopping $850 billion in merchandise in 2025. Almost 20% of those returns are from online sales.

When shopping online, there are some glaring clues that many shoppers miss which often leads to a return. Spot the right signs and your odds of keeping it go way up.

Temu and Shein quality check: a real-world guide

Lets start with Temu and Shein. If youve ever ordered from either highly popular Chinese website, you know that quality can be an issue.

Many shoppers end upreturning stuff because the pictures never match what theyactually get. Always assume that their product photos lie.

What looks like linen, cotton, or jersey is often a polyester blend. Zoom in on all of the photos to try and see what youre actually getting.

Shoe sizes on Temu and Shein are all over the map as well, so treat every pair like a new brand. Open the size chart every single time, never assume its mens or womens just because of the listing title. The safest anchor is your European size (its more consistent across factories). For example, a womens U.S. 9 usually maps to EU 40.

Also, be sure to read the product description carefully and see if the customer reviews match their official description. If theres any discrepancy, move on.

But most importantly, always check if customers have left photos in their reviews. Many shoppers will post photos to show the quality or lack thereof. These photos are your best clue to what youll actually get.

Fool proof your Amazon purchase

Always try to buy items that are shipped and sold directly by Amazon, not a third-party seller. Its usually safer as some sellers have wonky return policies and their products can be hit or miss in terms of quality.

Also, before you add to cart, click on the reviews and check out the Reviews with images to get a visual on what youre getting. Then I like to filter reviews by Newest and 3-star (or lower) to surface any real problems fast.

Amazon reviews are notoriously fake so I tend to ignore most 5-star reviews and focus on the 3-star or lower. And by sorting by Newest you get reviews from what the product looks like now, not some version from 2 years ago.

Lastly, copy the exact model number and Google it to make sure youre not grabbing last years version at an inflated price.

Dont trust the glam shots on Target.com

Do not trust the pretty pictures on Targets site. Get in the habit of always clickingDetails and Specifications to see the actual fabric, fit, and care. Veteran Target shoppers swear that their photos oversell their products.

Also, before you buy clothes or shoes, tap How does it fit? and scan the reviews filtered to Runs small/large. A couple minutes investigating beats a return trip later.

Buying an Only-at-Target item? Google the national model on the brands site so you know whats different. Sometimes items made specifically for Target have different specs, so a little research can avoid a surprise and subsequent return.

Measure twice, ship once: your Wayfair survival kit

Returning large items like couches or bed frames to Wayfair.com can be a real pain. To avoid a return, youll want to check the following three measurements every time you buy furniture online.

• The overall dimension of where youre putting the item in your home.
• The seat/leg clearance, which is the usable space your body (or stuff) needs around a seat.
• The narrowest doorway or stair youll have to navigate.

I recommend actually tapingout the dimensions on your floor, then use Wayfairs View in Room feature in their app to make sure you like the item in your space before you buy.

Also, many of Wayfairs products offer a free fabric swatch that theyll mail out so you can test the color, texture, and feel before buying.

Final thought

While I talked about some specific online stores, its safe to assume these tips apply to whatever website youre shopping at. Same playbook, different logorun these checks and youll keep more of what shows up.

Automatic braking in new cars credited with improvement in some areas but not others

• AAA testing shows big gains in nighttime pedestrian automatic emergency braking (PAEB) performance from 0% in 2019 to 60% in 2025.

• High-visibility clothing helped in some cases, but in others, caused PAEB systems to stop detecting pedestrians entirely.

• AAA urges automakers, regulators and drivers to address ongoing risks, as most pedestrian deaths occur after dark.

Nighttime braking systems show progress but not perfection

AAAs latest research into Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB) systems reveals marked improvement since its 2019 study but also underscores continuing shortcomings, especially in low-light conditions.

Working with the Automobile Club of Southern Californias Automotive Research Center, AAA tested four 20242025 sedans on a closed course, using a robotic adult pedestrian crossing at 25 mph. The vehicles were evaluated in both daylight and darkness, and with pedestrians dressed in regular or ANSI Class 3 high-visibility gear the reflective apparel typically worn by roadside assistance workers.

Results showed that nighttime PAEB impact avoidance improved from 0% in 2019 to 60% in 2025, signaling major technological gains. Yet, when the pedestrian wore high-visibility clothing, performance varied dramatically: in some cases, systems improved detection, while in others, they completely failed to recognize the pedestrian.

These improvements are promising, but theres more work to do, said Greg Brannon, AAAs director of automotive engineering research. Most pedestrian fatalities happen at night, and inconsistent detection even with high-visibility clothing shows that systems need further refinement to truly save lives.

Fatalities rising despite safety advances

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 7,314 pedestrians were killed and more than 68,000 injured in 2023. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reports that pedestrian deaths in the U.S. have surged by over 80% in the past 15 years, mostly on urban arterial roads after dark.

The danger extends to roadside assistance workers, who wear high-visibility clothing yet face significant risks from passing traffic. From 2020 through 2024, an average of 23 roadside assistance providers were struck and killed annually while working along U.S. highways.

AAAs advice for drivers and pedestrians

AAA emphasizes that pedestrian detection systems are only driver aids not substitutes for alertness. Drivers should:

• Stay focused and avoid distractions, especially at night.

• Obey speed limits and never drive impaired or drowsy.

• Understand their vehicles safety systems by reading the owners manual.

• Slow down and move over for emergency or disabled vehicles.

Pedestrians should also remain vigilant using sidewalks and crosswalks, avoiding distractions, and taking extra care at night, even when wearing reflective gear.

Call for manufacturers and regulators to act

AAA is urging automakers to enhance the reliability of PAEB systems under nighttime conditions and test them against a wider range of clothing types. Regulators and standards organizations, the group says, should include more nighttime scenarios in testing protocols to improve real-world pedestrian protection.

Test details

The evaluation included the 2024 Honda Accord, 2025 Toyota Camry, 2025 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2025 Tesla Model 3. Tests were conducted at Californias Minter Field Airport under controlled, dry, and well-lit conditions designed to simulate standardized advanced driver-assistance testing.

Apple unveils M5 MacBook and iPad; Logitech announces digital pencil

New Apple MacBook Pro

New Apple iPad Pro

Apple alsointroduced the new iPad Pro featuring theM5 chip. Featuring a next-generation GPU with a Neural Accelerator in each core, M5 delivers a big boost in performance for iPad Pro users, whether theyre working on cutting-edge projects or tapping into AI for productivity. The new iPad Pro delivers up to 3.5x the AI performance than iPad Pro with M41 and up to 5.6x faster than iPad Pro with M1.2 N1, the new Apple-designed wireless networking chip, enables the latest generation of wireless technologies with support for Wi-Fi 7 on iPad Pro.

Logitech Muse

Logitech today announced the availability of Muse, a digital pencil for Apple Vision Pro that enhances the way users work, create, and collaborate. Muse combines cutting-edge technology with effortless functionality to offer users precision and natural interaction for spatial computing.

Featuring precise tracking in six degrees of freedom (6DoF), low-latency, and real-time haptic feedback for tactile immersion and intuitive controls for natural interaction, Muse enables new professional workflows that take full advantage of spatial computing with Apple Vision Pro. From navigating spatial apps with pinpoint accuracy and annotating intricate designs to advancing technical projects in fields like engineering, architecture, design, or science, Muse equips users to turn ideas into reality with precision and ease.

With prices on the rise and uncertainty in the air, many consumers are spending less and starting later this holiday season.

• Shoppers are tightening their budgets and delaying purchases as tariffs and inflation drive uncertainty, with 40% capping holiday spending at $500 and 70% planning to buy fewer gifts if prices rise.

• Tariffs could add unexpected costs to imported gifts, especially now that the de minimis exemption on packages under $800 has ended meaning more shoppers may face extra duties and fees at delivery.

• Smart shopping strategies can help stretch budgets, including using price-tracking tools, watching early and holiday sales, and staying flexible on brands or product types to find the best value.

Holiday shopping usually kicks off with excitement and maybe a little panic. However, this year, many consumers are taking a more cautious approach.

According to new data from project44s 2025 Annual State of Consumer Holiday Shopping Report, shoppers are feeling the squeeze.

Eight in ten say theyre worried tariffs will make gifts more expensive, and most plan to respond by tightening their budgets or buying fewer presents altogether. In fact, 40% of shoppers have set a $500 spending cap for the season, while others are waiting to see how prices shake out before filling their carts.

ConsumerAffairs spoke with project44s Senior Data Analyst Jenna Slagle, to learn more about how the combination of inflation and tariff uncertainty will likely shift shopping behavior this holiday season.

Are tariffs expected to impact holiday shopping?

According to Slagle, the short answer is yes.

We can expect consumers to approach this holiday season with caution and conservative budgets, she said. This years consumers are going to be more cost-conscious than in years past, with 70% of surveyed consumers reporting they plan to purchase fewer gifts if tariffs impact pricing.

What should shoppers know about tariffs and holiday shopping?

Though tariffs remain in the headlines, it can be difficult to know exactly how they will impact shoppers this holiday season. Slagle broke it all down:

Shoppers should be aware that when ordering items shipped directly from another country, they are responsible for all applicable tariffs, duties, and processing fees unless the website specifically includes these costs, she said.

The de minimis exemption, which previously waived duties on packages under $800, has ended, meaning more imported items may carry additional charges. These fees are typically collected by the shipping carrier (UPS, FedEx, USPS) at delivery. To avoid surprises, check the country of origin and review any tariffs or processing fees before completing your purchase.

Does waiting to shop pay off?

While many retailers have already held early holiday sales, and Black Friday is right around the corner, does it pay off financially to take advantage of these sales? Or should consumers wait it out for the best prices?

It depends on your priorities, Slagle explained. Early sales can lock in deals and help avoid last-minute shipping delays, while waiting allows consumers to take advantage of holiday-specific promotions like Black Friday or Cyber Monday.

Given the uncertainty around tariffs and shipping costs, it can be smart to monitor prices early and plan purchases strategically, balancing savings with delivery timing.

Is saving an option this holiday season?

With budgets tight and the impact of tariffs looming, are there ways for consumers to still be frugal this holiday season? Slagle recommends that consumers take advantage of the options that are available to them to make their purchases have the most value.

Consumers looking to save can take advantage of sales and use price-tracking tools to ensure they are getting the best deal, she said. Flexibility with item type or brand can also help stretch budgets. For example, shopping within a general category, like headphones, offers more options and price ranges than focusing on a single brand or model.