Shopping Tips: Make a list (you don't have to check it twice)

One of the goals of this blog is to provide tips to help you shop smarter. Some are geared toward in-store purchases, others online. Here are a few basic points to consider:

Shopping early in the season has its benefits, but waiting could be more rewarding. It’s too early to tell how desperate retailers will be to slash prices to move merchandise. Early birds are less likely to be shut out on the season’s hot gifts as well as the widest selection of sizes, colors, and styles. But chances are you’ll pay more. Conversely, if holiday sales tank, and retailers are forced to drop prices to dump inventory, well, you could score real bargains by holding out until later, though there’s always the risk that the exact brand and model you want might be sold out.

Prepare a list and stick to it. Doing your homework beforehand can minimize impulse buys. Be sure to write down alternative gift suggestions for your recipients in case you can’t find some of the items on your list.

Avoid the mobs. Crowds at the malls can be brutal on weekends. Midweek is usually quietest. Arrive as soon as the mall opens, when the merchandise is neatly arranged and sale clerks are perky. Dinnertime is another good time to beat the hordes. Avoid shopping between noon and 3 p.m., and save time by consulting a mall map first.

Deal with familiar online companies. Particularly at this time of year, you’re bound to stumble across Web sites that are new or unfamiliar. It’s important to buy from reputable companies with an established track record. If you are considering doing business with an unknown merchant, do your homework first, and make sure you understand all policies. Be wary of companies that don’t list a physical address or telephone number on its Web site.

Guard your privacy and security. Though your eyes may glaze over, be sure to read a Web site’s privacy policy. It might tell you that the site sells customer data, which means your e-mail In box could get jammed with spam. One trick is to set up an e-mail account exclusively for shopping online. As for security, when entering personal data, make sure you’re on a Web page that triggers a security icon such as a closed padlock on your browser, which indicates a secure connection for transmitting sensitive information. Unfortunately, that doesn’t guarantee the site is legitimate or that someone can’t steal your information once it’s in a retailer’s database.  

 

Watch this space for more tips throughout the holiday season.