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WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. The Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection says shoppers who stay organized and plan ahead will have a less stressful shopping season. Some rules remain useful whether shoppers are using the internet, or hitting the mall, says the department.
No matter what the price of a gift purchase, its important that people make informed purchases, said John Gaccione, acting director of Consumer Protection. Consumers can make life easier on themselves by remembering these holiday shopping tips, whether shopping in a store or using the Internet.
Consumer Protections Top 10 Tips
1. Do your research. Comparison shop for the best price, and find out all you can about an item before you purchase it.
2. Know the refund policy of the merchant you are buying from. In a retail store, the refund policy must be posted at the point of sale.
3. If an advertised sale item is not available, ask for a rain check. Youre entitled to it.
4. When making purchases, keep your receipts together and organized. Quickly retrieve your credit cards after using them. If you pay by credit card, the credit card company can help you if you have a dispute with a merchant.
5. Find out the warranty information about a product before you purchase it. They vary from product to product. Sometimes, warranties are offered by the merchant as well as the manufacturer and your credit card company.
6. Buying a gift card? Most store gift cards dont have fees or expiration dates. Bank gift cards carry the logo of a major credit, debit or charge card, and are accepted at a wider variety of locations. Find out if a gift card carries any fees and whether a lost or stolen gift card can be replaced and at what cost.
7. Shopping on the internet may be convenient, but be wary of merchants who dont have a phone number and address listed. Only use merchants you know, or who have provided good service to someone you know. Check for a written description of the companys return or exchange policy before buying.
8. When shopping online, make sure the Web site is secure before entering your personal or financial information. Secure Web sites begin with https:// rather than just http://.
9. Guard against identity theft by only giving out person information in contacts you have initiated. Dont write your phone number, social security number or drivers license number on credit card receipts.
10. Contact the Department of Consumer Protection if you are experiencing a problem with a purchase at (914) 995-2155 or via the Web at www.westchestergov.com.
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