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.

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.

From tutoring to management, these flexible roles let moms earn well without leaving home

• RemoteJobs.io ranked 15 flexible, high-paying careers ideal for stay-at-home moms in 2025.

• The list spans entry-level jobs like online tutoring to six-figure roles in marketing and finance.

• Experts say remote work lets moms build fulfilling careers while staying present for their families.

The days of choosing between career and family are quickly fading.

According to a new report from RemoteJobs.io, remote work is opening up a world of opportunities for stay-at-home moms who want both flexibility and financial security. Released as part of the platforms 2025 Best Stay-At-Home Mom Jobs Report, the list highlights 15 remote-friendly careers that pay well, require little to moderate education, and allow mothers to work on their own terms.

The traditional in-office 9-to-5 doesnt fit everyone, especially parents," Lauren Mastroni, Career Expert at RemoteJobs.io, said in a news release.

"Remote work offers a realistic way for stay-at-home moms to re-enter the workforce or start new careers that align with their family routines. These roles give moms the ability to use their skills as well as expand their income and maintain their identity beyond parenting, all while staying close to the people who matter most.

How the rankings were made

To build the list, RemoteJobs.io analyzed data from the Current Population Survey (CPS) and O*NET Online, focusing on roles where women make up the majority of workers between ages 20 and 44. The report excluded jobs that typically require advanced degrees, instead zeroing in on roles accessible with a bachelors degree or less.

Each occupation was evaluated for income potential, growth outlook, and remote feasibility using RemoteJobs.ios proprietary database of verified remote positions. Only jobs with median annual salaries above $40,000 and steady projected growth through 2034 made the cut.

The 15 Best Remote Jobs for Stay-at-Home Moms

The report divided the top 15 list into three categories: Most Flexible Work-From-Home Jobs, Work-From-Home Jobs for Moms with No Experience, and Highest-Paying Remote Jobs for Moms.

Heres a look at the full list:

Most Flexible Work-from-Home Jobs

• Market Research Analyst $76,950

• Human Resources Specialist $72,910

• Public Relations Specialist $69,780

• Training and Development Specialist $65,850

• Career Counselor or Advisor $65,140

• Paralegal or Legal Assistant $61,010
  

Work-from-Home Jobs for Moms with No Experience

• Fundraiser $66,490
• Graphic Designer $61,300
• Fitness Instructor $46,180
• Online Tutor $40,090

Highest-Paying Remote Jobs for Moms

• Financial Manager $161,700
• Marketing Manager $159,660
• Human Resources Manager $140,030
• Public Relations Manager $132,870
• Accountant $81,680