Shopping? Then it pays to be a savvy consumer. These tips from the FTC will help you shop wisely.

Shop Wisely
  • Know who you're dealing with.
  • Protect your privacy.
  • While online order only on a secure server.
  • Guard your online password.
  • Pay the safest way.
Know Your Rights
  • Check the refund and return policy
  • Read the fine print.
  • Check delivery dates.
  • Review warranties.
Get the Best Deal
  • Compare prices.
  • Check shipping and handling fees.
  • Order early to allow plenty of time for shipment and delivery.
Keep Good Records
  • Track your purchases.
  • Keep receipts & website printouts.
Holiday Shopping Online? Wrap Up a Good Buy! [PDF]
Holiday Shopping: Is a Sale Price Your Best Deal? [PDF]
Holiday Shopping Online Crossword Puzzle
Problems with Holiday Purchases? [PDF]
Shopping? Then It Pays to Be a Savvy Consumer (bookmark) [PDF]

 

Consumer Publications

Auctions

Auction Guides: Not so Hot Properties [TEXT]

[PDF]

Internet Auctions: Secrets of Success [TEXT] [PDF]

Cell Phones

Radiation Shields: Do they "Cell" the Consumer Short? [TEXT] [PDF]

Clothing

Buying Cashmere? Avoid Pulled Wool [TEXT]

[PDF]

Credit

Credit and Your Consumer Rights [TEXT] [PDF]
Take Charge of Your Credit [TEXT] [PDF]

Flowers

Petal Pushers: Is Your 'Local' Florist Really Long-Distance? [TEXT] [PDF]

Jewelry

All That Glitters...How to Buy Jewelry [TEXT]

[PDF]

Beloved...Bejeweled...Be Careful: What to Know Before You Buy Jewelry [TEXT] [PDF]
Buying Gold and Gemstone Jewelry: The Heart of the Matter [TEXT]

[PDF]

Problems with a Purchase

Problems with a Holiday Purchase? [TEXT]

[PDF]

Solving Consumer Problems [TEXT] [PDF]

Scanned Prices

Making Sure the Scanned Price is Right [TEXT] [PDF]

Rebates

Computers for Next to Nothing: What's the Deal? [TEXT] [PDF]
Taking the "Bait" out of Rebates [TEXT] [PDF]

Shopping From Home

Shop Online Safely [TEXT] [PDF]
TooLate.Com: The Lowdown on Late Internet Shipments [TEXT]

[PDF]

En Español

Amado...Adornado...¡Con cuidado!
Beloved...Bejeweled...Be Careful
[TEXT] [PDF]
Comprando Oro y Piedras Preciosas: Llegando al Grano
Buying Gold and Gemstone Jewelry: The Heart of the Matter
[TEXT]

[PDF]

Escudos de Radiación: ¿Afectan las células de los consumidores?
Radiation Shields: Do They 'Cell' Consumers Short?
[TEXT]

[PDF]

Quien ha Dormido en su Colchon: Reglamentos Sobre Etiquetas Para Colchones Usados
More Than Once Upon a Mattress: Used Bedding Labeling Rules
[TEXT]

[PDF]

Recomendaciones para unas Felices Compras de Fin de Año
Jingle Bells, Jingle Sells: Tips for Holiday Shopping
[TEXT]  
Todo lo que brilla... Cómo comprar joyas
All That Glitters ... How to Buy Jewelry
[TEXT] [PDF]

Business Publications

Advertising and Marketing on the Internet: Rules of the Road [TEXT] [PDF]
Business Guide to the Mail and Telephone Merchandise Rule [TEXT]

[PDF]

The Cachet of Cashmere: Complying with the Wool Products Labeling Act [TEXT]

[PDF]

Calling it Cotton: Labeling & Advertising Cotton Products [TEXT]

[PDF]

Complying with the Telemarketing Sales Rule [TEXT]
Good Pricing Practices? SCAN DO [TEXT] [PDF]
In-FUR-mation - How to Comply with the Fur Products Labeling Act [TEXT] [PDF]
In the Loupe: Advertising Diamonds, Gemstones and Pearls [TEXT] [PDF]
Selling American-Made Products? What Businesses Need to Know About Making Made in USA Claims [TEXT] [PDF]
Selling on the Internet: Prompt Delivery Rules [TEXT] [PDF]
Guides for the Household Furniture Industry [TEXT] [PDF]
Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries [TEXT] [PDF]
Jewelry Guides and Information [TEXT]  

'Tis the Season: Donating to Charities

Additional Resources

 

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit www.ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.