By Nikki Phipps
When it comes to shopping, many of us have had our share of disasters. Whether it’s from spending too much on hidden costs or impulse buying, there are ways to avoid these common shopping disasters.
Nowadays, shopping online is becoming more and more popular. It’s easy and it’s convenient. However, it can also be disastrous if you don’t know what to look for. Some of the most common pitfalls to avoid while shopping online include Web sites that are not secure and untrustworthy or unknown companies. This carries the potential for identity theft. Shop only at secure web sites. Research the site before you do any business with them. Always read the site’s privacy policy. It is preferable that you shop from companies that are familiar to you, like those with which you have shopped before without any problems. You should also be wary of being asked for more information than is needed. Asking about your lifestyle or annual income is only a ploy for future marketing and possibly Spam. Don’t give out your Social Security number or other information that could lead to identity theft, and when shopping online, always keep your password private. Be careful about how you pay for those purchases too. Paying by check, which can lead to bank fraud, or paying by cashier’s check or money order, which does not provide protection if you have problems later, is another pitfall to watch out for. The safest way to pay for your online purchases is with a credit card. This way, in the event that something does go wrong, you have protection under the Federal Fair Credit Billing Act.
Have you ever received offers of free or inexpensive merchandise? While these may seem too good to be true, they are really used in an effort to bait you. Nothing comes without a price of some kind. There are generally hidden costs, such as monthly fees, associated with these types of offers. Make sure that you check the expiration dates on gift certificates. Some retailers charge monthly fees if their gift cards are not used within a specific period of time. Make sure you read the fine print as well when buying gift cards to ensure that you are getting exactly what you are paying for. Many shopping disasters occur due to extended warranties. There may be limitations and costs that exceed the life or value of the warranty. Most of the time, these are rarely needed anyway as the big-ticket items are usually dependable. Take time to assess the benefits of the warranty, including how much a likely repair might cost compared to the cost of the warranty before buying anything. Also, find out whether the retailer or the manufacturer is offering the warranty.
Beware of tactics that encourage impulse buying. Stores will oftentimes display merchandise or offer specials that result in purchases that exceed what you intend to buy or really need. An example of this is ‘piecemeal buying.’ This is when stores feature special prices for items, such as computers, and then as you are paying for them, you halfheartedly discover that these items are actually sold separately, the result being that you pay more for the ‘special’ offer than if you had found a whole package deal somewhere else. Do your homework before you shop and this can be avoided. Another shopping disaster occurs when shopping through mail-order catalogs. Some mail-order catalogs may entice you to buy what they refer to as ‘over the telephone’ specials. These are basically items that you don’t need or in some cases, a ploy to get you to accept free limited-time subscriptions to magazines. Unfortunately, the magazines keep coming and you are charged. When shopping from catalogs, make sure the company has a secure method of handling your personal information and pay attention to the deadlines for returns. Make sure to check delivery dates and shipping charges as well. Under federal law, a company must ship your order within the time stated in its advertisement, or, if no timeframe is stated, it must ship your order within 30 days.
The best way to get the most from your shopping experience, whether online or not, is to do your homework, researching and comparing companies and prices. The time spent in comparison-shopping can actually result in savings of hundreds of dollars. It is important to compare prices and check shipping and handling fees for online or mail-order purchases. You can use the Internet to get an idea about prices or even the Yellow Pages to identify retailers and call for prices. Always plan what you need to buy in advance and carry a list when you shop. When you place an online order, you should receive a confirmation page that includes the cost of the order, customer information, product information, and a confirmation number. Always make copies of these for safekeeping in your records. These are essential to resolving problems and returning products.
Don’t let yourself be taken in by shopping pitfalls. Protecting yourself from these common shopping disasters will make your future shopping experiences good ones.