Fairgoers attending this week’s Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo in Kennewick may be headed to the fairgrounds for entertainment, contests and good deals at vendor booths, but the Better Business Bureau is reminding them to protect their personal information to avoid making risky, impulse purchases.

Some fair vendors may utilize high-pressure sales tactics to convince customers to buy on the spot. Others may lead consumers to believe they are receiving a major discount, but it’s important to take the time to research the deal, the BBB cautioned.

When attending a fair, the BBB advises:

• As with any purchase, do some comparison shopping before buying, but remember that the least expensive item may not always be the best value.
• Don’t feel pressured to buy on the spot. After the demonstration or sales pitch, give yourself time to think about the purchase. Ask the vendor if a sale will be honored for a certain timeframe after the event.
• Research a vendor’s marketplace reputation by checking their BBB Business Profile at bbb.org. You can pull up the business’ profile on a smartphone to confirm a company’s BBB rating, complaint history and accreditation status.
• Ask for a copy of the seller’s refund and exchange policies, terms and conditions of the sale and any warranties. Make sure to understand the fine print before signing a contract or putting down a deposit. Always pay by credit card when possible.
• Be selective about what information you share. There are often raffles and other offers at fairs that require contact and other personal information to qualify. Once you give out that information, you don’t know how the data will be protected, whether it will be shared with third parties or how it will be used.

Note that there are exceptions to the Federal Trade Commission’s “Cooling-Off Rule.” For example, the rule does not cover sales under $130 and made at temporary locations or arts/crafts sold at fairs or places like shopping malls, civic centers and schools.