State Offers Tips For
Online Shopping For Holiday Season
Nashville, TN (2011-11-11) Whether
your gift list is ready or you are wondering how long you can wait to start
your holiday shopping, the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs has tips to
help you get the best deals. What’s the bottom line? Extra research can really
pay off.
- Set a
budget. Create a gift list and check it twice to help you stay on track
and not over-spend.
- Decide
what matters. If you are buying gadgets, know what your “must-have”
features are versus those that are just nice to have.
- Use
search engines. Type a company or product name into your search engine
with such terms as “review,” “complaint” or “scam,” to find out more.
- Read
online reviews. Reviews from other consumers, experts and columnists can
give you an idea of how a product performs. Don’t put all of your trust in
one review.
- Consider
reputation. A brand’s reputation for quality and good customer service can
really pay off.
- Check
comparison shopping sites. These sites connect to
many retailers selling the same product, sometimes at significantly
different prices.
- Consider
coupons. Some companies offer discounts via email and some websites
collect and list codes for free shipping and other discounts. Search for
the store with such terms as “discount,” “coupon” or “free shipping.”
- Read
return policies. Not all stores have the same rules. Some charge fees for
return shipping or restocking things like electronics. And be sure to
check on the address – should a return be necessary, you want to make sure
you know where to send it.
- Decide
how to pay. When you shop online, credit cards can offer extra
precautions.
- Look
for a secure checkout. Does the website start with “https” (the “s” stands
for secure) when you are checking out?
Consumer Affairs (www.tn.gov/consumer/ ) is a division of
the Department of Commerce and Insurance (www.tn.gov/commerce/
), which works to protect consumers while ensuring fair competition for
industries and professionals who do business in Tennessee.