Effective
Shopping
Practices
6.01- Shopping Options
•PLAN BEFORE YOU SHOP
•COMPARISON SHOP
•SHOP WISELY
6.01- Shopping Options
•PLAN BEFORE YOU SHOP
•Decide whether to shop at home or in a store
•When there is a choice, decide whether to purchase
goods or services
•Check reliability and services of stores and distancesellers
•Decide when to buy
6.01- Shopping Options
Shop in stores or at home?
• Let’s review the pros
and cons of shopping
in a store
• Let’s review the pros
and cons of shopping
at home
6.01- Shopping Options
Buy goods or services?
• Sometimes you have
an option of whether to
purchase goods or
services
– Example 1: Buy a
ready-made prom gown,
or pay someone to
make you a gown?
– Example 2: Buy a new
motorcycle or pay
someone to fix up the
used cycle you have?
6.01- Shopping Options
Buy goods or services?
• Goods have clearly identified
prices, while prices of services
may be harder to determine.
• Quality of goods can be
reviewed and rated; quality of
services is best reflected in
performance.
6.01- Shopping Options
Check reliability and services
• Only respectable businesses
back up their claims
• Services
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Methods of payment accepted
Return/refund policies
Knowledgeable sales staff
Special services
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Gift wrap
Special orders
Delivery
Repairs/maintenance
6.01- Shopping Options
Decide when to buy . . .
• Buy now with cash or
credit
• Save for purchase at
a later time
• When possible, wait
for a sale
• Avoid impulse buying
6.01- Shopping Options
•COMPARISON SHOP
Products
•Research the product
•Compare products
•Understand warranties
•Talk to people who have
made the same purchase
•Check the Internet
6.01- Shopping Options
Research the product
• Do your homework --become familiar with
the product
• Talk to people who
have made the same
purchase
• Check Internet for
consumer
information,
magazines, other
publications
6.01- Shopping Options
Compare products
• Brand names, store
brands, and generics
• Size of package
• Other product
features
6.01- Shopping Options
Understand warranties
• Implied warranty – product is in proper condition
and does what it is intended to do
– Example: Hair dryer blows and dries hair
6.01- Shopping Options
Understand warranties
• Written warranty –
goes beyond implied
warranty by providing
a written guarantee
– Full warranty – according
to law, must provide all 5
standards stated by
Magnuson-Moss Act
– Limited warranty –
provides 1-4, but not all, of
standards in MagnusonMoss Act
Standards of Magnuson-Moss Act
•
Warranty extends to any owner of
product, not just original owner
•
No cost for warranty
•
Nothing to do to receive warranty
•
Guarantees refund or replacement
•
Does not limit time period of implied
warranty
6.01- Shopping Options
•COMPARISON SHOP
Services
•Identify a person(s) or business(es)
that provide the desired service
•Check qualifications
•Interview; ask for demos/samples
•Check references
•Check licensing, bonding, insurance
•Pay close attention to agreements
6.01- Shopping Options
Pay close attention to
terms of agreements
• Estimate --- a total expected
cost, in writing, for performing a
service
• Work order --- gives authority
to the provider to perform
services
• Contract --- a legally binding
agreement between a service
provider and a consumer
• Service warranty --- a
guarantee of quality standards
for performance
6.01- Shopping Options
•SHOP WISELY
In Stores
• Consider the value of time and energy, as well
as money
• Handle money, cash, and credit cards with care
• Get receipts and sales slips; file carefully
• Deal fairly and honestly with others in the
marketplace
• Report unfair/dishonest practices to the
proper authorities
6.01- Shopping Options
•SHOP WISELY
At Home
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Know name, location of seller
Understand what you are buying
Compare prices with other retailers
Only buy from secure sites
Check seller’s privacy policy
Pay by credit card
Find out delivery date, return and refund policy
Check product promptly when delivered
6.01- Shopping Options