Shoppers often believe that a store running a GOB is slashing prices to clear out merchandise and purchases have to be made as quickly as possible. Before merchants can deck their halls with signs advertising a going out of business sale, they need a DCA license. During this enforcement, DCA inspectors cited 15 stores overall for holding GOB's without the necessary license. DCA's subsequent investigation revealed that five of the merchants cited were staging fraudulent GOB's, meaning they never had any intention of closing their doors. Know the store's refund policy before you buy.
Merchants can establish their own policies, as long as it is prominently displayed.
If a merchant has a restrictive return policy, your purchase may not be such a great deal after all. Get a receipt. It must include the total amount paid, date, business name and address, and the make and model of the item you bought. Beware of used electronics goods being sold as new. Retailers can sell used or refurbished items, but must inform the consumer.