We all play the elaborate shopping game to varying degrees. Both consumers and merchants hone their skills, hoping to best the other on the sales floor. As the bottom line gets bigger, each side pushes back harder. While stores have corporate think-tanks and strategists to squeeze out every last penny, average shoppers are left to fend for themselves. In a world of sales schemes and price plans, how do you know which deals are legit? This list of nine purchase pitfalls should help you steer clear of merchants? tricky tactics.
Pitfall #1: Buying Brand New
There?s something about the allure of a brand-new product that?s hard to resist. Unfortunately, this is when they?re most expensive. Instead of buying right out of the box, shop for used or refurbished products. They cost much less and refurbished items like computers and power tools usually come with a guarantee from the manufacturer.?This article in U.S. News and World Report details 21 products to avoid buying new.
Pitfall #2: The Disappearing Receipt
It?s best to think of receipts just like cash. Always store them in the same location so you know where to find them. At most stores, you won?t be able to make returns and get your money back without a receipt. Sometimes store credit is an option, but this just leads to more shopping.
Receipts are also important for price-matching. If you find a lower price, but can?t track down the receipt from your purchase, you?re out of luck.
Pitfall #3: Leaving Coupons Behind
A mind is a terrible thing to waste and so are coupons. All too often, we clip our money-saving friends, only to show up at the store and realize they?re sitting in a neat stack on the kitchen counter. One way you can counteract this problem is to store your coupons in a little binder in your car. If that system still doesn?t work out, your smartphone can be a lifesaver.
Using apps like the free?mobile coupon app from Coupon Sherpa allows you to find coupons in-store and scan them directly from your phone.
Pitfall #4: Lack of Policy Knowledge
Most of us have been shopping since we were able to walk, so it tends to come naturally. However, doing a little homework is worth the extra effort. Many stores bank on the fact that shoppers don?t pay attention to their policies. Avoid this pitfall by being aware of different policies for different stores. This includes how long you have for returns, limitations on exchanges and how coupons can be used.
Pitfall #5: Opening Store Credit Cards
Do you have a store credit card with us? Did you know that you can save a whole bunch of money by signing up right now? These are questions we?re all constantly deflecting, but sometimes the offers are awfully tempting. While the introductory deals are good, store cards tend to have very high interest rates if you carry a balance.
Additionally, opening or just applying for several store cards can have a damaging effect on your credit score. If you?re still tempted to open an account,?these five store credit cards are some of the best.
Pitfall #6: Not Reading Reviews
With the internet, there?s an overabundance of product reviews. Lots of times they?re from people who love to complain from behind a computer screen. Even so, there are many helpful customer reviews out there. It?s worth doing a little research and seeing what fellow shoppers have to say.
CNET.com has quality reviews for tech products, while?ConsumerReports.org reviews everything from toasters to treadmills. When a pattern of common problems emerges, it?s best to stay away.
Pitfall #7: Missing Discounts
Many times we consider our age or occupation to be a burden. In reality, you can use those factors to save a little extra cash. There are a surprising number of merchants who offer military, teacher, student and senior discounts on a regular basis.
Remember, there?s no harm in asking about an extra discount. The worst they can do is say no.
Pitfall #8: Special Sale Offers
It?s astounding how many people are drawn in by the tactics of special sales at grocery stores. Just because the deal is 10 for $10, you don?t have to buy all 10 items. Purchase just one and you?ll get the same pricing. In some cases, sales really aren?t even sales. Buy two, get one free is never a good deal unless you were planning to buy two of that product anyway.
Pitfall #9: High-Pressure Sales
The sly salesperson can be found in just about any type of store. They talk fast, make products seem really important and pressure you to buy. Remember, no matter how long a salesperson spends with you, you?re never obligated to make a purchase. Sometimes your best negotiation tactic is the willingness to walk away.
Andrea Woroch is a consumer and money-saving expert for Kinoli Inc. She is available for in-studio, satelite or skype interviews and to write guest posts or articles. As a nationally recognized media source, Andrea has been featured on NBC Today Show, FOX & Friends, MSNBC, ShopSmart Magazine, Kiplinger Personal Finance, CNNMoney and many more. For more savings tips, visit Andrea?s Facebook page or follow her on Twitter.
GIRL TALK TIME: Have you fallen into any purchase pitfalls recently? What were they? How do you avoid purchase pitfalls?
Source: http://www.sheckys.com/2011/09/18/9-purchase-pitfalls-to-avoid/
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