OCR Text |
Show ' ' ' 1, ' rfSiJjf (CdDimsiininmiimg Iimitirestt Avoid that holiday shopping hangover specifically tells you how long you have the option to buy and promises you'll get your money back in full. Get a receipt for your deposit and review it carefully. It must describe the goods, list the cash selling price, and include reference to any trade-in allowance involved. It must also state the period the option to purchase will last; tell you whether the deposit is refundable and what conditions apply; and inform you of any additional costs. liquidation Sales liquidation sales, even the most legitimate ones, have some inherent risks. When people open up a store for a brief periof of time, they may be selling top quality merchandise or they may be pawning off seconds f and counterfeits. Sometimes it's hard to tell what you are buying until you've taken the item home. Liquidation sales are short-lived by their very nature. When the truck leaves or the warehouse doors close, you have no recourse if the merchandise collapses a week later. Many liquidation sales offer goods which have no warranty. Since warranties are an increasingly important part of your buying decisions, you may want to think again if you are about to buy a high-priced, high tech item from someone who won't be there tomorrow to stand behind a manufacturer andor store guarantee. guar-antee. A few dollars' saving up front is no savings in the long run if the goods break down and repairs cost you a small fortune. Despite all the advertising claims, liquidation sale items are not always your best bargain. Make some phone calls around to check on similar merchandise at other stores. You may find the liquidation price is comparable to other stores, so you're not getting such a great deal after all. Liquidation sales proliferate at holiday time. Consider all your shopping options before, not after, you buy anything, especially the expensive electronic equipment these sales specialize in. Holiday shopping can be a breeze or a bane, depending in part on your advance preparation. Shop wisely and your after-holiday headaches will be minimal. by Carol L. Clark Dr. Clark is the consumer education specialist in the Utah Attorney General's office. Christmas tends to be both the best of times and the worst of times for shoppers. A bit of planning and information in the following areas can save you a shopper's holiday hangover: Refunds and Returns ' The majority of Christmas season consumer complaints result from refund and return problems. Many of these can be avoided if you ask about store policies before buying. Retailers are not obligated to give you a cash refund if you return defective or unwanted goods. A merchant has the right to repair or replace items, and he doesn't have to do that immediately. If he chooses to replace or repair, he might have to order in new parts, etc. That takes time, so you might not have your new Christmas present returned to you for several weeks. Find out a store's policies regarding refunds and returns when you're considering purchasing. It's frustrating for both you and the retailer if you are disgruntled the day . after Christmas because the store's policies and your needs collide. Good merchants want your business, and they do everything they can to make you happy. Store policies also vary enough that the procedures of one retailer aren't necessarily those of another dealer in the same merchandise. Don't assume ask first. I-avawavs the layaway option is a benefit to many consumers. Without it you couldn't buy certain expensive seasonal or sale goods. Know what the terms of the layaway contract are before you sign it. Merchants don't have to give a cash refund if you change your mind midway through your contract unless the document |