The holiday shopping season is here. And whether you enjoy the hustle and bustle of the malls or the quiet solitude of armchair shopping, here are some tips to help you shop safely - and smart.
The Basics
- Shop early. It could help you avoid long lines and ensure that you get the products you want before they're sold out.
- Set a budget - and stick to it. It could help you avoid overspending and impulse buying.
- Check out refund and return policies before you buy.
- Pay with a credit card. It's safer than carrying cash and offers consumer protections you don't get with purchases by cash or check. If you find an error on your credit or charge card statement, you may dispute the charge and withhold payment on the disputed amount while the charge is in dispute. The error might be a charge for the wrong amount, for something you did not accept, or for an item that was not delivered as agreed. You also may dispute charges for unsatisfactory goods or services.
- Keep your receipts. You may need them to return an item or to reconcile your credit card statement. Ask for gift receipts to include with your gift.
Shopping by Phone or Mail
- Consider your experience with the company or its general reputation before you order. Ask about the company's refund and return policies, the product's availability, and the total cost of your order before you place your order.
- Know your rights. By law, a company should ship your order within the time it states in its ads. If no time is promised, the company should ship your order within 30 days after receiving it. If the company can't ship within the time they promise, they must give you a choice: agree to the delay or cancel your order and receive a prompt refund.
- Order early to allow plenty of time for shipment and delivery.
- Keep records of your order, such as the company's name, address, and phone number; the date of your order; a copy of the order form you sent to the company or, if you're ordering by phone, a list of the items and their stock codes and the order confirmation code; and the ad or catalog from which you ordered.
Shopping Online
- Know who you're dealing with. If you've never heard of the seller, check on its physical location and reputation with the Better Business Bureau or the state Attorney General's office.
- Protect your privacy. Provide personal information only if you know who's collecting it, why, and how it's going to be used.
- Guard your passwords. Use different passwords when you're making a purchase than when you log on to your computer or network.
- Pay the safest way. A credit card offers the most consumer protections.
- Order only on a secure server. Look for an unbroken key or padlock at the bottom of the browser window to ensure that your transmission is protected.
- Check shipping and handling fees. Don't forget to factor these costs into the total cost of the order. Choose the delivery option that best meets your needs and your budget.
- Track your purchases. Keep printouts of the web pages with the details about the transaction, including return policies if you're not satisfied.
Courtesy of the FTC
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