Holiday shopping season has hit again. And this season is shaping up to be the biggest yet for online and offline retailers. Here are a few tips to follow to keep your cash and sanity.
The Federal Trade Commission has released a list of free tips to help you shop safely and smart this holiday season.
The FTC advises shopping early to avoid the crowds and to have the best chance of getting the gifts you want before they're sold out. Set a budget and stick to it so you don't drain your wallet dry on impulse buys. And whenever you do make a purchase, check out the store's refund and return policies beforehand.
If you have credit cards, use them. The FTC says it's safer than carrying large amounts of cash into crowded stores. Plus, credit cards offer consumer protections you don't get with purchases by cash or check. If you find an error on your credit card statement, you can withhold payment on the disputed charge while challenging it. You may also dispute charges for unsatisfactory goods or services.
Always keep your receipts in case you need to return an item and to reconcile your credit card statement. And ask salespeople to include gift receipts when packaging a gift.
When something goes wrong with a purchase from a local merchant, they're right at hand to resolve the difficulty. Not so with phone, mail and Internet orders. So the FTC advises that you only do business with reputable companies online. Know the total cost of your order -- fees, wrapping, shipping and tax included -- before you place an order.
