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Home > Consumer Focus Archive > Preventing Holiday Shopping Headaches
Preventing Holiday Shopping Headaches
Many of us will spend
more money than we intended during the coming holidays. We have all felt panic
standing in the middle of a crowded mall with only a few days (or hours) to
find just the right gift for everyone on our list. In some cases, a distracted
moment will result in the theft of a credit card. By using the tips we've
assembled here and with a little care, planning, and budgeting, we hope we'll
be able to help you have a less stressful holiday season.
Learn more
about:
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Managing Your Money
Save in advance. It
may be too late this year, but commit now to saving in advance for next year.
Discipline yourself to save a few dollars from each week's paycheck during the
year. It's simple. Look into joining a "Christmas Club" at your savings
institution.
Moonlight.
Taking on a part-time job for a few months, or working overtime, is one great
way to earn extra spending money in time for the holidays. Even better, work a
little extra here and there throughout the year, saving most, if not all, for
holiday expenses.
Make a list.
It also helps to stick to it! This may seem to be a fairly basic thing to do,
but think of the times you've gone grocery shopping and found yourself buying
things that weren't on your grocery list. Holiday displays are even more
enticing. Avoid impulse buying.
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Hitting the Stores
Read sale ads
carefully. During the holidays, some merchants may offer items at a
sale price for a limited time, for as little as four hours or early in the
morning. Others may say "quantities limited," "no rain checks," or "not in
combination with other offers." You may want to call ahead to see if the item
is on the shelves.
Allow time for
planning and comparison-shopping. Keep your budget in mind and shop
carefully to get the best selection and price. Some merchants may offer a sale
price for a limited time on an item you want.
Watch the
scanner. During the holidays, it seems like retailers are announcing new
sales and markdowns every day. With the extra workload, sometimes the staff
can't keep up with all the price changes and update the cash register scanners
with the new prices. If you think the price isn't right, speak up. If you're
going to go buy something you saw advertised, take a copy of the ad with
you.
Be aware of
distractions. It sounds like basic advice but get your receipt when you
make a purchase and put it away carefully. Don't let yourself get into
"Murphy's Law situation" needing that one receipt you tossed in the trash. Make
sure you're OK with the refund and return policies for sale items, especially
those on clearance. A misplaced receipt could contain enough information for a
crook to misuse your credit card number to make a purchase! Also, be sure to
retrieve your credit card after completing a transaction. It's easy to forget
it after spending a frustrating half hour in line.
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Shopping
from Home
Consider shopping
by catalog or online. Many folks find that catalog or online shopping helps
them stick to a budget because they're not seduced by the myriad choices
available in stores. Shopping from home often saves time, gas, and your energy.
However, shipping charges will need to be included in your budget.
Verify the
delivery date. When you place an order, the vendor usually tells you
when to expect delivery. Sellers are required to ship items as promised or
within 30 days after the order date, when no specific date is promised. If the
seller can't ship the goods within the promised or 30-day deadline, the seller
must notify you, give you a chance to cancel your order and provide a full
refund if you've chosen to cancel. The seller also has the option of canceling
your order and refunding your money. It's also a good idea to plan for a couple
extra days in delivery time during the holidays - even the best retailers can
fall behind. Nothing's worse than giving someone an IOU because your gift is
backordered.
Stay tuned for
information on the steps you can take if you need information on problems with
returns or your credit.
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Other Resources
This is just a brief
overview. For more information check out these resources. Read these publications online or
order them from FCIC:
Websites*:
* Names of
resources and organizations included in this online article are provided as
examples only, and their inclusion does not mean that they are endorsed by the
Federal Citizen Information Center or any other Government agency. Also, if a
particular resource or organization is not mentioned, this does not mean or
imply that it is unsatisfactory.
*If you click on these links, you are leaving FCIC's website. Please
bookmark us before you leave so you can return easily. FCIC is not responsible
for the content of these websites.
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