Think Before You Shop
Think about your goals before you shop.
Do you want the top-of-the-line product? A particular brand?
Are there “must-have” features? What’s your budget? If you decide what’s
important to you up-front, you’re less likely to make an impulse purchase that
could lead to buyer’s remorse.
Get to know the products in the category.
Often, the key features of a basic product and the
top-of-the-line version from the same manufacturer are the same, and “add-ons”
account for the difference in price. For example, you might have to pay extra
for a toaster with a clock and fancy chime even if it turns bread into toast
just like a less expensive model. Manufacturer sites often have the most
information about product features.
Use Search Engines
If you think you’ve found a good deal, but you aren’t
familiar with the product or the company selling it, dig a little deeper. Type
the company or product name into your favorite search engine with terms like
“review,” “complaint” or “scam.” If you find bad reviews, you’ll have to decide
if the offer is worth the risk. After all, it’s only a good deal if you
actually get a product that works.
Check Comparison Shopping Sites
The comparison shopping sites such as Apebay.com connect you
to many retailers selling the same product, sometimes at significantly
different prices. Compare your total purchase price, including shipping and
handling, and taxes, rather than just the selling price. Different sites also
have different return policies. Check the policy and find out whether you’ll be
charged extra shipping or restocking fees for returns.
Apebay.com lets you sign up to get alerts when prices
change.
Consider Coupons
Some companies offer discounts to online shoppers via email;
other sites collect and list codes for free shipping and other discounts. Keep
in mind that a coupon price isn’t always the best deal.
To look for discounts, enter the web site or company name
and “discount,” “coupon” or “free shipping” into a search engine. Stay away
from sites that make you download software or enter financial information to
access the codes.
Read Reviews and Be Skeptical
When considering a review, think about the source of the
information: is it from an impartial expert organization, one consumer, many
individual consumers, a columnist?
You can get a good idea about a product’s performance from
reading user reviews on retail or shopping comparison sites. But they may not
represent the experience of all purchasers: The FTC has sued companies that posted
“fake” positive reviews. Some negative reviews may come from competitors.
You also can look for websites that specialize in reviewing
products. These sites don’t sell products but offer expert reviews and
comparisons.
Evaluate what you see on retail sites.
Some scammers set up “specialty” sites selling a particular
type of product. Those can be full of glowing reviews from “shills” who are
compensated for their posts, and may not include any mediocre or negative
reviews because they’ve been deleted.
What do you know about the photo?
A product photo is meant to cast the item in the best
possible light. Could it have been doctored? Will it look as appealing in your
home or office?
What If There's a Problem?
Ask yourself a few questions: Does the brand have a
reputation for good products and excellent customer service? What’s the
promised delivery time? How will you contact the seller if there’s a
problem? Will the company accept
returns? If so, will you be charged restocking fees?
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