Melody
Dec 11th 2006, 11:58 PM
Ten Tips to Avoid the Boxing Day Blues
To help consumers avoid the Boxing Day blues this holiday season, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Business Practices & Consumer Protection Authority (BPCPA) remind consumers that it pays to know your shopping rights and responsibilities. Consider these ten holiday shopping tips:
1. Plan Ahead – Before you begin your holiday shopping, take the time to make a list of people you want to buy for and gift ideas that fit within your budget.
2. Comparison Shop – Do your research before making a purchase. Compare prices with at least three businesses and ask about price matching policies. Remember that the “sale” price is not always the “best” price. Some merchants mayoffer the sale price for a limited time while others may offer discounted pricing daily. While in Santa’s Workshop…
3. Slow Down – Focus and stick with your gift buying plan and budget. Walk away from high pressure sales tactics.
4. Read the Fine Print – Before you sign a contract or sales agreement, carefully read all the terms and conditions and make sure the written contract matches the verbal promises. If the product comes with a warranty, be sure you understand the coverage and limitations of the warranty, including the store’s service policy. To learn more about consumer rights and responsibilities visit www.bpcpa.ca (http://www.bpcpa.ca).
5. Stay Informed – If you purchase a gift card or certificate, inquire about the expiry date, hidden fees and terms of use. Can the user get cash back for the card? Will the person you are purchasing the gift card for, find something they like at the store without paying too much more? Will the store refund the balance after a purchase is made?
6. Keep the Receipt – Do not end the transaction without getting a sales receipt. Keep your receipts, cancelled cheques, warranties, estimates, contracts and product instructions in a safe place in case they are needed again later.
7. Know Your Rights – Make sure you understand the store’s return or exchange policy before you buy. There is no law in B.C. requiring a merchant to give you a refund or exchange if you change your mind about a purchase. Ask for a gift receipt to enclose with the gift, and find out what the terms of the receipt are.
8. Protect Yourself Online – If you shop online, only enter personal information via a secured site (look for the “s” in the https:// of the URL), pay by credit card and make certain the company has a phone number and physical address. Be aware of the company’s security and privacy protection policy and factor in shipping costs and delivery dates, before you buy. Watch for companies with the BBBOnline Reliability Seal or visit www.bbb.org (http://www.bbb.org) to check a company out. Keeping Your Days Merry & Bright
9. Monitor Your Statements – Cross reference your monthly bank and credit card statements with your receipts and cancelled cheques. If you see an error in your statement, contact the business immediately. Consumers that carefullymonitor their bank statements, credit card bills and credit reports are more likely to detect fraudulent activity in their name, than those who don’t monitor their accounts.
10. Be Reasonable – Remember that the holiday season is a busy and stressful time for businesses as well. Boxing Day is usually not a good day to return or exchange an item
To help consumers avoid the Boxing Day blues this holiday season, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Business Practices & Consumer Protection Authority (BPCPA) remind consumers that it pays to know your shopping rights and responsibilities. Consider these ten holiday shopping tips:
1. Plan Ahead – Before you begin your holiday shopping, take the time to make a list of people you want to buy for and gift ideas that fit within your budget.
2. Comparison Shop – Do your research before making a purchase. Compare prices with at least three businesses and ask about price matching policies. Remember that the “sale” price is not always the “best” price. Some merchants mayoffer the sale price for a limited time while others may offer discounted pricing daily. While in Santa’s Workshop…
3. Slow Down – Focus and stick with your gift buying plan and budget. Walk away from high pressure sales tactics.
4. Read the Fine Print – Before you sign a contract or sales agreement, carefully read all the terms and conditions and make sure the written contract matches the verbal promises. If the product comes with a warranty, be sure you understand the coverage and limitations of the warranty, including the store’s service policy. To learn more about consumer rights and responsibilities visit www.bpcpa.ca (http://www.bpcpa.ca).
5. Stay Informed – If you purchase a gift card or certificate, inquire about the expiry date, hidden fees and terms of use. Can the user get cash back for the card? Will the person you are purchasing the gift card for, find something they like at the store without paying too much more? Will the store refund the balance after a purchase is made?
6. Keep the Receipt – Do not end the transaction without getting a sales receipt. Keep your receipts, cancelled cheques, warranties, estimates, contracts and product instructions in a safe place in case they are needed again later.
7. Know Your Rights – Make sure you understand the store’s return or exchange policy before you buy. There is no law in B.C. requiring a merchant to give you a refund or exchange if you change your mind about a purchase. Ask for a gift receipt to enclose with the gift, and find out what the terms of the receipt are.
8. Protect Yourself Online – If you shop online, only enter personal information via a secured site (look for the “s” in the https:// of the URL), pay by credit card and make certain the company has a phone number and physical address. Be aware of the company’s security and privacy protection policy and factor in shipping costs and delivery dates, before you buy. Watch for companies with the BBBOnline Reliability Seal or visit www.bbb.org (http://www.bbb.org) to check a company out. Keeping Your Days Merry & Bright
9. Monitor Your Statements – Cross reference your monthly bank and credit card statements with your receipts and cancelled cheques. If you see an error in your statement, contact the business immediately. Consumers that carefullymonitor their bank statements, credit card bills and credit reports are more likely to detect fraudulent activity in their name, than those who don’t monitor their accounts.
10. Be Reasonable – Remember that the holiday season is a busy and stressful time for businesses as well. Boxing Day is usually not a good day to return or exchange an item