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How to Buy & Sell
Everything
Also in this series
How To Do (Just About) Everything
by Courtney Rosen
How To Fix (Just About) Everything
by Bill Marken
How
To Buy
& Sell
just about
Everything
More Than 550 Step-by-Step Instructions for Everything From Buying Life Insurance to Selling Your Screenplay to Choosing a Thoroughbred Racehorse
Jeff Wuorio
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Wuorio, Jeff
How to buy and sell (just about) everything : more than 550 step-by-step instructions for everything from buying life insurance to selling your screenplay to choosing a thoroughbred racehorse / Jeff Wuorio.
p. cm.
Includes index.
ISBN 0-7432-5043-5
eISBN: 978-1-451-60392-7
1. Negotiating in business. 2. Persuasion. (Psychology). 3. Selling. 4. Purchasing. I. Title
HD58.6.W86 2003
640′.42—dc21 2003051432
CEO: John Owen
President: Terry Newell
COO: Larry Partington
VP, International Sales: Stuart Laurence
VP, Publisher: Roger Shaw
Creative Director: Gaye Allen
Production Manager: Chris Hemesath
Series Editor: Brynn Breuner
Managing Editor: Jennifer Block Martin
Consulting Editor: Bill Marken
Production & Layout: Joan Olson, Phoebe Bixler
Illustrator: William Laird
Copy Editors: Jacqueline Aaron, Rick Clogher, Gail Nelson-Bonebrake
Contributing Editors: Donald Breuner, Elizabeth Dougherty, Kevin Ireland, Jane Mason, Sarah Stephens, Julie Thompson, Robert von Goeben, Laurie Wertz
Editorial Assistance: Sinclair Crockett, Dave Martin, Lindsay Powers, Juli Vendzules,Heidi Wilson
Proofreaders: Jacqueline Aaron, Andrew Alden, Cynthia Rubin
Indexer: Ken DellaPenta
FOREWORD
A NOTE TO READERS
SAVVY STRATEGIES
1 Be a Savvy Consumer
2 Get Something for Nothing
3 Buy Products and Services Online
4 Make Returns
5 Deal with an Unsatisfactory Purchase
6 Sell Products and Services Online
7 Save Money with Coupons
8 Negotiate
9 Buy Green
10 Use Online Auction Sites
11 Shop the Warehouse Stores
12 Buy Wholesale
13 Get Out of Debt
14 Buy Nothing
DAILY LIFE
15 Buy Happiness
16 Buy a Better Mousetrap
17 Buy Time
18 Buy a Bouquet of Roses
19 Buy Someone a Drink
20 Get Someone to Buy You a Drink
21 Buy Your Way into High Society
22 Buy Your Way into Someone’s Favor
23 Buy Postage Stamps Without Going to the Post Office
24 Tip Properly
25 Buy Healthy Fast Food
26 Buy Sunscreen
27 Order the Perfect Burrito
28 Order Takeout Asian Food
29 Order at a Sushi Bar
30 Buy Dinner at a Fancy French Restaurant
31 Hire a Dating Service
32 Sell Yourself on an Online Dating Service
33 Sell Yourself to Your Girlfriend/Boyfriend’s Family
34 Buy Doghouse Flowers for Your Sweetheart
35 Buy Music Online
36 Hire Musicians
37 Order a Great Bottle of Wine
38 Buy an Ergonomic Desk Chair
39 Choose Film for Your Camera
40 Buy Rechargeable Batteries
41 Donate to a Good Cause
42 Hold a Profitable Garage Sale
43 Hire a Housecleaner
44 Hire a Baby Sitter
45 Buy a Guitar
46 Buy Duct Tape
47 Get a Good Deal on a Magazine Subscription
48 Get Senior Citizen or Student Discounts
49 Buy Flowers Wholesale
50 Get a Picture Framed
51 Hire a Mover
52 Hire a Personal Organizer
53 Find a Veterinarian
54 Buy Pet Food
55 Buy a Pedigreed Dog or Cat
56 Breed Your Pet and Sell the Litter
SPECIAL OCCASIONS
57 Get a Costume
58 Buy a Piñata
59 Buy a Great Birthday Present for Under $10
60 Select Good Champagne
61 Buy a Diamond
62 Buy Jewelry Made of Precious Metals
63 Buy Colored Gemstones
64 Choose the Perfect Wedding Dress
65 Buy or Rent a Tuxedo
66 Register for Gifts
67 Buy Wedding Gifts
68 Select Bridesmaids’ Dresses
69 Hire an Event Coordinator
70 Hire a Bartender for a Party
71 Hire a Photographer
72 Hire a Caterer
73 Find the Ideal Wedding Officiant
74 Obtain a Marriage License
75 Order Custom Invitations and Announcements
76 Sell Your Wedding Gown
77 Buy an Anniversary Gift
78 Arrange Entertainment for a Party
79 Commission a Fireworks Show
80 Buy a Mother’s Day Gift
81 Buy a Father’s Day Gift
82 Select an Appropriate Coming-of-Age Gift
83 Get a Gift for the Person Who Has Everything
84 Buy a Graduation Gift
85 Select a Thanksgiving Turkey
86 Buy a Housewarming Gift
87 Purchase Holiday Cards
88 Buy Christmas Stocking Stuffers
89 Buy Hanukkah Gifts
90 Purchase a Perfect Christmas Tree
SPLURGES & RARE EVENTS
91 Buy a Private Island
92 Hire a Skywriter
93 Hire a Big-Name Band
94 Get into the High Rollers Room in Vegas, Baby
95 Buy Someone a Star
96 Pay a Ransom
97 Get Hot Tickets
98 Hire a Limousine
99 Buy a Cryonic Chamber
100 Rent Your own Billboard
101 Take Out a Full-Page Ad in the New York Times
102 Hire a Butler
103 Acquire a Professional Sports Team
104 Buy a Personal Jet
105 Acquire a Television Network
106 Acquire a Bodyguard
107 Book a Luxury Cruise Around the World
108 Sell Your Fur Coat
109 Book a Trip on the Orient-Express
110 Become a Wine Maker
111 Purchase a Private/Custom Bottling of Wine
112 Buy a Thoroughbred Racehorse
113 Buy a Villa in Tuscany
114 Hire a Personal Chef
115 Purchase Cuban Cigars
116 Hire a Ghostwriter to Pen Your Memoirs
117 Commission Original Artwork
118 Immortalize Your Spouse in a Sculpture
119 Give Away Your Fortune
120 Hire an Expert Witness
121 Make Bail
122 Donate Your Body to Science
123 Hire Yourself Out as a Medical Guinea Pig
124 Sell Plasma
125 Sell Your Soul to the Devil
PERSONAL FINANCE
126 Negotiate a Better Credit Card Deal
127 Choose a Financial Planner
128 Save with a Retirement Plan
129 Save for Your Child’s College Education
130 Buy and Sell Stocks
131 Choose a Stockbroker
132 Day-Trade (or Not)
133 Buy Annuities
134 Buy and Sell Mutual Funds
135 Buy Bonds
136 Sell Short
137 Invest in Precious Metals
138 Buy Disability Insurance
139 Buy Life Insurance
140 Get Health Insurance
141 Buy Personal Finance Software
142 Choose a Tax Preparer
CAREERS
143 Set Up a Lemonade Stand
144 Sell Your Product on TV
145 Hire a Career Counselor
146 Hire a Headhunter
147 Sell Yourself in a Job Interview
148 Take Out a Patent
149 Market Your Invention
150 Finance Your Business Idea
151 Buy a Small Business
152 Buy a Franchise
153 Lease Retail Space
154 Lease Industrial Space
155 Lease Office Space
156 Buy Liquidated Office Equipment
157 Hire Someone to Design and Build Your Web Site
158 Hire a Graphic Designer
159 Acquire Content for Your Web Site
160 Buy Advertising on the Web
161 Sell Your Art
162 Hire a Personal Coach
163 Sell on the Craft Circuit
164 Hire a Literary Agent
165 Pitch a Magazine Story
166 Sell a Screenplay
167 Sell Your Novel
168 Self-Publish Your Book
169 Start a Bed-and-Breakfast
170 Sell a Failing Business
171 Buy a Hot Dog Stand
REAL STATE
172 Shop for a Mortgage
173 Refinance Your Home
174 Save Big Bucks on Your Mortgage
175 Obtain Home Owner’s Insurance
176 Obtain Disaster Insurance
177 Buy a House
178 Buy a House at Auction
179 Buy a Foreclosed Home
180 Buy and Sell a Fixer-Upper
181 Sell the Farm
182 Sell Mineral Rights
183 Sell a House
184 Sell a House Without a Real Estate Agent
185 Obtain a Home Equity Loan
186 Buy a Lot
187 Buy House Plans
188 Hire an Architect
189 Hire a Builder
190 Pull Building Permits
191 Buy a Vacation Home
192 Book a Vacation Rental
193 Buy a Condominium
194 Rent an Apartment or House
195 Obtain Renter’s Insurance
196 Buy a Loft in Manhattan
197 Buy a Tenancy-in-Common Unit
198 Buy Rental Property
199 Rent Your Home for a Movie or Catalog Shoot
HOME & GARDEN
200 Furnish Your Home
201 Furnish Your Studio Apartment
202 Buy Used Furniture
203 Buy Door and Window Locks
204 Choose an Oriental Carpet
205 Buy Lamps and Light Fixtures
206 Buy a Programmable Lighting System
207 Buy Household Appliances
208 Buy Floor-Care Appliances
209 Buy Warranties on Appliances
210 Find Period Fixtures
211 Buy a Bed and Mattress
212 Hire an Interior Designer
213 Hire a Feng Shui Consultant
214 Incorporate Fluid Architecture into Your Home
215 Select Paint, Stain and Varnish
216 Choose Decorative Tiles
217 Choose a Ceiling Fan
218 Buy a Whirlpool Tub
219 Buy a Showerhead
220 Buy a Toilet
221 Choose a Faucet
222 Buy Glues and Adhesives
223 Choose Window Treatments
224 Get Self-Cleaning Windows
225 Choose Wallpaper
226 Buy a Wood Stove
227 Select Flooring
228 Select Carpeting
229 Choose Kitchen Cabinets
230 Choose a Kitchen Countertop
231 Buy Green Household Cleaners
232 Stock Your Home Tool Kit
233 Buy a Video Security System
234 Buy a Home Alarm System
235 Buy Smoke Alarms
236 Buy Carbon Monoxide Detectors
237 Buy Fire Extinguishers
238 Choose an Entry Door
239 Buy a Garage-Door Opener
240 Buy Lumber for a DIY Project
241 Select Roofing
242 Hire a Contractor, Plumber, Painter or Electrician
243 Hire a Gardener
244 Buy Outdoor Furniture
245 Buy the Perfect Rosebush
246 Buy Flowering Bulbs
247 Buy Flowers for Your Garden
248 Select Pest Controls
249 Buy Soil Amendments
250 Buy Mulch
251 Buy a Composter
252 Buy Fertilizer
253 Start a Vegetable Garden
254 Hire a Garden Professional
255 Buy an Automatic Sprinkler System
256 Start a New Lawn
257 Buy a Lawn Mower
258 Buy Koi for Your Fish Pond
259 Buy a Storage Shed
260 Hire an Arborist
261 Buy Basic Garden Tools
262 Buy Shrubs and Trees
263 Buy a Hot Tub
264 Buy an Outdoor Lighting System
FOOD & DRINK
265 Buy Organic Produce
266 Choose a Perfect Peach
267 Buy and Sell at Farmers’ Markets
268 Select Kitchen Knives
269 Decipher Food Labels
270 Select Herbs and Spices
271 Stock Your Kitchen with Staples
272 Equip a Kitchen
273 Choose Fresh Produce
274 Select Meat
275 Stock Up for the Perfect Burger
276 Purchase a Holiday Ham
277 Buy Natural Beef
278 Buy Rocky Mountain Oysters
279 Purchase Local Honey
280 Choose Poultry
281 Select Fresh Fish and Shellfish
282 Select Rice
283 Purchase Premium Salt and Pepper
284 Get a Cheesesteak in Philadelphia
285 Order Fresh Salmon in Seattle
286 Find Crawdads in Louisiana
287 Buy Artisan Breads
288 Buy Artisan Cheeses
289 Purchase Kosher Food
290 Buy Food in Bulk
291 Choose Cooking Oils
292 Select Olive Oil
293 Select Olives
294 Buy Ethnic Ingredients
295 Purchase Vinegar
296 Choose Pasta
297 Buy Tea
298 Buy Coffee
299 Order a Great Cup of Coffee
300 Buy a Coffeemaker or Espresso Machine
301 Purchase a Keg of Beer
302 Buy Alcohol in a Dry County
303 Choose a Microbrew
304 Order a Cocktail
305 Choose a Restaurant for a Business Function
306 Stock a Wine Cellar
307 Stock Your Bar
FAMILY AFFAIRS
308 Buy and Sell Sperm
309 Choose an Ovulation Predictor Kit
310 Pick a Pregnancy Test Kit
311 Choose Birth Control
312 Find the Right OB-GYN
313 Hire a Midwife or Doula
314 Find a Good Pediatrician
315 Hire a Child Therapist
316 Gear Up for a New Baby
317 Buy a New Crib
318 Choose a Stroller
319 Buy Baby Clothes
320 Choose Diapers
321 Buy or Rent a Breast Pump
322 Choose a Car Seat
323 Buy Child-Proofing Supplies
324 Find Fabulous Childcare
325 Find a Great Nanny
326 Find the Right Private School
327 Find a Good After-School Program
328 Sign Your Child Up for Lessons
329 Buy a Backyard Play Structure
330 Find a Great Summer Camp
331 Sell Girl Scout Cookies
332 Buy Braces for Your Kid
333 Buy Toys
334 Buy Books, Videos and Music for Your Children
335 Buy a Video Game System
336 Hire a Tutor
337 Hire an Adoption Agency
338 Get Your Child Hired as a Model
339 Sell Used Baby Gear, Toys, Clothes and Books
340 Find a Couples Counselor
341 Hire a Family Lawyer
342 Buy Property in a Retirement Community
343 Choose an Assisted Care or Nursing Home
344 Write a Living Will
345 Buy a Cemetery Plot
346 Pay for Funeral Expenses
HEALTH & BEAUTY
347 Get Viagra Online
348 Purchase a Toothbrush
349 Buy Moisturizers and Antiwrinkle Creams
350 Select Pain Relief and Cold Medicines
351 Save Money on Prescription Drugs
352 Hire a Mental-Health Professional
353 Choose a Wheelchair
354 Buy Home-Use Medical Supplies
355 Select Hair-Care Products
356 Buy Ways to Counter Hair Loss
357 Buy a Wig or Hairpiece
358 Buy a New Body
359 Get a Tattoo or Body Piercing
360 Obtain Breast Implants
361 Get Wrinkle-Filler Injections
362 Find Alternative and Holistic Practitioners
363 Choose a Manicurist
364 Get Whiter Teeth
365 Select Eyeglasses and Sunglasses
366 Hire a Personal Trainer
367 Sign Up for a Yoga Class
368 Treat Yourself to a Day at the Spa
369 Book a Massage
COLLECTIBLES
370 Get on Antiques Roadshow
371 Buy and Sell Used Books
372 Shop at an Antique Fair or Flea Market
373 Rent Space at an Antique Mall
374 Buy at Auction
375 Know What Your Collectibles Are Worth
376 Dicker with Dealers
377 Get an Antique Appraised
378 Buy Silverware
379 Evaluate Depression-Era Glassware
380 Buy and Sell Stamps
381 Buy Antique Furniture
382 Recognize the Real McCoy
383 Buy Coins
384 Buy an Antique American Quilt
385 Buy an Antique Flag
386 Liquidate Your Beanie Baby Collection
387 Score Autographs
388 Trade Yu-Gi-Oh Cards
389 Snag Star Wars Action Figures
390 Sell Your Vinyl Record Collection
391 Sell at a Pawnshop
392 Buy and Sell Comic Books
393 Buy and Sell Sports Memorabilia
394 Sell Your Baseball-Card Collections
COMPUTER & HOME ELECTRONICS
395 Choose a Desktop Computer
396 Shop for a Used Computer or Peripherals
397 Choose a Laptop or Notebook Computer
398 Sell or Donate a Computer
399 Buy Printer Paper
400 Buy a Printer
401 Buy Computer Peripherals
402 Choose an Internet Service Provider
403 Get an Internet Domain Name
404 Buy a Home Network
405 Upgrade the Memory in Your Computer
406 Buy Computer Software
407 Choose a CD Player
408 Buy Blank CDs
409 Buy an MP3 Player
410 Choose a DVD Player
411 Buy a VCR
412 Choose a Personal Digital Assistant
413 Choose Mobile Phone Service
414 Negotiate Your Long-Distance Phone Service
415 Buy Video and Computer Games
416 Choose a Film Camera
417 Choose a Digital Camcorder
418 Decide on a Digital Camera
419 Buy a Home Automation System
420 Buy a State-of-the-Art Sound System
421 Buy an Audio-Video Distribution System
422 Buy a Serious TV
423 Choose Between Cable and Satellite TV
424 Get a Digital Video Recorder
425 Get a Universal Remote
426 Buy a Home Theater System
427 Buy Virtual-Reality Furniture
428 Buy Two-Way Radios
429 Buy a Mobile Entertainment System
TRAVEL
430 Get a Passport, Quick!
431 Purchase Cheap Airline Tickets
432 Find Great Hotel Deals
433 Rent the Best Car for the Least Money
434 Get Travel Insurance
435 Pick the Ideal Luggage
436 Fly for Free
437 Bid for a Sled Ride on the Alaskan Iditarod Trail Race
438 Buy Duty-free
439 Ship Foreign Purchases to the United States
440 Tip in a Foreign Country
441 Tip Properly in North America
442 Bribe a Foreign Official
443 Get a Eurail Pass
444 Take an Italian Bicycle Vacation
445 Choose a Cheap Cruise
446 Book a Hotel Package for the Greek Islands
447 Raft the Grand Canyon
448 Book a Cheap but Awesome Safari
449 Rent a Camel in Cairo
450 Get Single-Malt Scotch in Scotland
451 Buy a Sapphire in Bangkok
452 Hire a Ricksha in Yangon
453 Take Salsa Lessons in Cuba
454 Buy a Camera in Hong Kong
455 Buy Your Way onto a Mount Everest Expedition
456 Hire a Trekking Company in Nepal
457 Rent or Buy a Satellite Phone
SPORTS & OUTDOOR RECREATION
458 Buy Your Child’s First Baseball Glove
459 Order Uniforms for a Softball Team
460 Buy Ankle and Knee Braces
461 Boy Golf Clubs
462 Join an Elite Golf Club
463 Sell Found Golf Balls
464 Buy Athletic Shoes
465 Buy a Racket
466 Buy a Gym Membership
467 Buy an Aerobic Fitness Machine
468 Buy a Snowmobile
469 Buy a Personal Watercraft
470 Hire a Scuba Instructor
471 Buy a Skateboard and Protective Gear
472 Buy Skates
473 Go Sport Fishing
474 Go Skydiving
475 Buy Weight-lifting Equipment
476 Choose a Car Rack or Carrier
477 Buy Skis
478 Buy Clothes for Cold-Weather Activities
479 Sell Used Skis
480 Buy a Snowboard, Boots and Bindings
481 Buy Ski Boots
482 Buy a Bicycle
483 Sell Your Bicycle at a Garage Sale
484 Commission a Custom-Built Bicycle
485 Buy a Properly Fitted Helmet
486 Buy the Optimal Sleeping Bag
487 Buy a Tent
488 Buy a Backpack
489 Buy a Backpacking Stove
490 Buy a Kayak
491 Buy a Personal Flotation Device
492 Buy a Wet Suit
493 Buy a Surfboard
494 Buy Fly-Fishing Gear
495 Buy Rock-Climbing Equipment
CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES
496 Buy a Cashmere Sweater
497 Purchase Vintage Clothing
498 Sell Used Clothing
499 Order Custom-made Cowboy Boots
500 Buy Clothes Online
501 Find Specialty Sizes
502 Buy the Perfect Cocktail Dress
503 Buy Designer Clothes at a Discount
504 Choose a Basic Wardrobe for a Man
505 Buy a Man’s Dress Shirt
506 Pick Out a Necktie
507 Buy a Woman’s Suit
508 Buy a Man’s Suit
509 Hire a Tailor
510 Buy Custom-Tailored Clothes in Asia
511 Buy a Briefcase
512 Shop for a Leather Jacket
513 Buy Maternity Clothes
514 Get a Great-Fitting Bra
515 Choose a High-Performance Swim Suit
516 High Performance Workout Clothing
517 Buy a Heart Rate Monitor
518 Select a Watch
519 Buy Kids’ Clothes
520 Choose Children’s Shoes
521 Purchase Clothes at Outlet Shops
AUTOS & OTHER VEHICLES
522 Buy a New Car
523 Buy the Basics for Your Car
524 Buy a Used Car
525 Buy or Sell a Car Online
526 Buy a Hybrid Car
527 Sell a Car
528 Buy a Motorcycle
529 Lease a Car with the Option to Buy
530 Transfer Your Leased Car
531 Donate Your Car
532 Obtain Auto Insurance
533 Spring for a New Paint Job
534 Buy a Radar Detector
535 Purchase the Right Gasoline
536 Buy Fuel Treatments
537 Hire a Reliable Mechanic
538 Avoid Buying a Lemon
539 Sell Your Clunker
540 Buy, Restore and Sell a Vintage Car
541 Locate Hard-to-Find Parts
542 Buy Basic Automotive Tools
543 Choose the Right Tires
544 Select Wheel Rims
545 Outfit Your Car for Emergencies
546 Buy a Theft-Prevention Device
547 Bring a Car in From Europe
548 Buy Then Sell a Car Impounded by the Police
549 Get a High-Performance Car Audio System
550 Buy an RV
551 Buy a Trailer
552 Buy a Water-ski Boat
553 Find a Classic Wooden Powerboat
554 Rent an Aircraft
555 Sell Your Sailboat
556 Purchase a Satellite Navigation System
INDEX
CONTRIBUTOR CREDITS
When attempting to follow any of the advice in this book, please note the following:
Risky activities: Certain activities described in this book are inherently dangerous or risky. Before attempting any new activity, know your own limitations and consider all applicable risks (whether listed or not).
Professional advice: While we strive to provide complete and accurate information, this is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. You should always consult a professional whenever appropriate or if you have any questions or concerns regarding medical, legal or financial advice.
Physical or health-related activities: Be sure to consult a physician before attempting any health- or diet-related activity or any activity involving physical exertion, particularly if you have any condition that could impair or limit your ability to engage in such an activity.
Adult supervision: The activities described in this book are intended for adults only, and they should not be performed by children without responsible adult supervision.
Violations of law: The information provided in this book should not be used to violate any applicable law or regulation.
Sources and prices: Prices and sources for products and services listed in this edition were accurate at press time. Since the nature of any market is changeable, however, we cannot guarantee that any source listed in these pages will continue to carry items mentioned or even remain in business. Similarly, all prices mentioned in this book are approximate only and are subject to change.
All of the information in this book is obtained from sources that the author and publisher believe to be accurate and reliable. However, we make no warranty, expressed or implied, that the information is sufficient or appropriate for every individual, situation or purpose. Further, the information may become outdated over time. You assume the risk and full responsibility for all of your actions, and neither the author nor the publisher will be liable for any loss or damage of any sort, whether consequential, incidental, special or otherwise, that may result from the information presented. Some states do not allow the exclusion of implied warranties or the exclusion of incidental or consequential damages, so the above exclusions may not apply. The descriptions of third-party products, Web sites and services are for informational purposes only and are not intended as an endorsement of any particular product or service.
When we set out to write the weighty buying and selling guide you hold in your hands, we hardly knew what we were in for. Sure, we’ve all bought a toothbrush before, or many pairs of athletic shoes, and certainly we’ve chosen a ripe juicy peach, but have we ever really thought about what goes into making smart choices? To make astute decisions, you need not only the collective knowledge of past purchasing experiences, but also expert advice, rules of thumb, shrewd insider tips, and brand comparisons. We labored to bring this level of guidance to each one of the 556 topics covered in How to Buy and Sell (Just About) Everything.
The book is simple to use. For a snapshot of each topic, check out its What to Look For list and note the number of calculators, which indicate the difficulty level of the buying or selling decision. To continue, read the concise steps, useful tips and warnings, and charts. You’ll get the information you need to make better informed, more confident buying and selling decisions.
Your first tip: Start with the Savvy Strategies chapter, then sail on to the other sections. You’ll become a smarter consumer and pick up tricks of the trade that you’ll be able to apply to a wealth of other buying and selling ventures. You’ll also get an insider’s edge to stretching every dollar farther.
We included such topics as Shop the Warehouse Stores (11) and Save Big Bucks on Your Mortgage (174) to help you fatten your wallet. You’ll find advice on ways to get rid of things you’re done with (and make some money in the process), like unloading your wedding dress (76), parting company with a baseball-card collection (394), or losing that clunker in the driveway (539). For those exalted few for whom money is no object, you’ll be to brush up on how to Hire a Butler (102), Acquire a Television Network (105), or Buy a Thoroughbred Racehorse (112). And who could pass up the Buy Happiness (15) or Sell Yourself to the Devil (125) entries? Just for good measure, we have Buy a Better Mousetrap (16) in here, too. And though you may not know when you’ll be in the market for a private island, if that day comes, rest assured you’ll find out how to buy one in this book.
Thanks to all our authors for spending hours researching mountains of information and distilling it into concise, readable topics (and for going the extra mile to find out what those numbers on the sides of auto tires really stand for and which adhesive works with what material). A special thank you to Derek Wilson, Marcia Layton Turner and Robert von Goeben for their expert contributions to many chapters. (You’ll find the names of all the talented and skilled authors on the Contributors in the back of the book.) A bow to managing editor Jennifer Block Martin for her expertise, vigilance and talent, and for going above and beyond time and time again.
Jeff Wuorio
You work hard for your money. Retailers work equally hard to separate you from it. Being a savvy consumer means looking beyond the sales pitch and assessing the true value of a product.
Steps
Utilize the full potential of the Internet to research price, options and product reviews before you buy. Read Consumer Reports (consumerreports.org)for product reviews and the Better Business Bureau (bbb.org) or your county Citizen and Consumer Affairs Office for complaints against a business.
Get feedback and recommendations from friends or family who have made similar purchases. Their first-hand experience and tips will be invaluable.
Know what you need as far as features and what you can spend before you enter a store.
Ask plenty of questions. Be wary of salespeople who are overly aggressive or evasive in answering them. If you’re not getting the service and information you need, find the manager.
5 Research and read labels to determine if products are made with potentially toxic materials or pose any danger to people, pets or the environment by their use. Investigate nontoxic alternatives.
Always find out what the return and exchange policy is before you buy. See 4 Make Returns. If you’re buying online, call the toll-free customer-service phone number with return questions.
Read the fine print on a warranty or contract and ask for a clarification if it’s unclear. Important information is often obfuscated by legal mumbo jumbo.
Get a signed and dated contract that spells out particulars whenever you hire service people. Before you hire a mechanic, contractor or any service professional, get an estimate and the scope of work in writing. See 537 Hire a Reliable Mechanic.
Charge it, especially if you’re making an online, phone or mail-order purchase. Credit card companies will not hold you liable for fraudulent charges and will charge back the merchant if you receive falsely advertised, defective or damaged merchandise.
Avoid layaways and rent-to-own plans in most cases. You may be better off putting the money in a savings account so that you—not the store—collect the interest, until you save enough to buy it outright.
Stash all receipts, warranties, owner’s manuals, contracts and written estimates in a well-organized filing system. A complaint is much harder to prove without documentation. Save packaging for the first week in case you discover defects or unsatisfactory performance; returns may need to be in their original packaging.
What to Look For
Price comparisons
Product reviews
Return and exchange policy
Customer service number
Contract and warranty
Tips
Consult your doctor before buying health-related supplies, equipment or services. That will help you avoid products with dubious health benefits.
Use a credit card that rewards you with are travel miles and other incentives to reap even more benefits from your purchases.
Don’t be duped by sale signs. Ask yourself, Am I really getting a good deal for my money?
Check the packaging and condition of a product. If a box has been retaped, ask if the item was a return, a floor model, or a reconditioned item. If so, ask for a discount and make sure the warranty is still in full effect.
Warning
Never pay money up front for goods or services offered over the phone, and don’t give your credit card number or Social Security number to anyone or any company you don’t know.
There’s truth behind the saying There’s no such thing as a free lunch. Some freebies require that you register your address, which may bury you in junk mail. Others require your time or energy. However, for the intrepid bargain hunter, true deals make exciting prey.
FREEBIE STRATEGY
Search the Web for free stuff. You’ll find Web sites that index online freebies from manufacturers and retailers.
Arrive at rummage sales, garage sales, flea markets, farmers markets and library book sales an hour before closing to find drastically reduced prices or freebies.
Shop the nurseries at jumbo retailers in the autumn. Some stores give away dormant perennials (if they don’t know better) that will rebloom in the spring.
Become a mystery shopper or participate in survey groups to get free meals, products or services and, possibly, even a paycheck. Search online to find opportunities in your area.
Attend the grand opening of new stores for free samples and giveaways. Many stores take a loss in freebies on their first day to attract customers.
Go on factory tours. You’ll often get free samples of whatever the factory makes, be it ice cream, tortillas or peanut butter.
Call customer service if you have a legitimate complaint on an item. You may get a replacement product, plus freebies to keep you happy.
When making a large purchase, such as a computer, sofa or big-screen TV, ask the salesperson, What else will I get if I buy this here? You may discover rebates, offers and giveaways.
Volunteer for concerts, athletic events and other fund-raisers for charities and nonprofits. You’ll find plenty of free food, T-shirts and products donated by corporate sponsors.
Get free diapers, formula mix and baby food by disclosing your address to third parties when you register for baby gifts or sign up for new parent services.
Listen to radio stations that give away tickets and other prizes to listeners. Use speed-dial and multiple lines to better your chances when you call in.
WARNING If you join grocery store savings clubs and give your address, be aware that you’ve volunteered your personal information, which will be used for marketing and sales purposes.
No longer just for the techno-savvy, online shopping has been embraced wholeheartedly by the mainstream community. In fact, more than 60 percent of people worldwide have bought something online.
Steps
Shop retailers with a reputation for quality products and excellent customer service. Bookmark them for easy access. Pay attention to the experiences of friends and colleagues, and avoid shady or unscrupulous merchants.
Find out what fellow surfers think of a site. Epinions.com has customer ratings of online stores, which are helpful when deciding whether to do business with a particular site. Shop at Web sites that are quick to load and easy to navigate through so you can find what you want quickly. Look for secure and simple ordering procedures.
Use price comparison tools, such as DealTime.com and Bizrate.com, to compare brands, prices and product features across several sites. Consider buying an online subscription to ConsumerReports.org to get critical information on large and small purchases.
Read customer and media reviews to find out more about a product or service. Amazon.com lists editorial and customer reviews. Cnet.com and TechTV.com are good sources for technology reviews. Look for comments from consumers in a demographic to your own.
Read the About Us section if you’re buying from an unfamiliar Web site to find out how long the company has been in business and whether it has third-party recommendations. Check for a toll-free customer-service number.
Look for enhanced shopping guides and options. For example, apparel merchant Lands’ End allows you to shop by size, color, product and preference, and even has virtual mannequins that you can use to try on outfits (see 500 Buy Clothes Online). Other merchants allow you to listen to partial tracks from CDs or read book excerpts before you buy.
If you’re shopping for a service, such as a plumber, look for clearly posted cancellation policies and free, instant quotes. Sites like Respond.com and Improvenet.com recommend prescreened service providers or contractors by region.
If you’re buying a product, review the shipping and handling costs, the return policy and whether the company pays shipping on returned items (see 4 Make Returns).
Charge your purchases on a credit or debit card. See 1 Be a Savvy Consumer.
What to Look For
Reputable retailer
Easy browsing or searching
Customer ratings
Price and features comparisons
Buying guides
Shipping costs and return policy
Secure transactions
Receipt or confirmation
Tips
The Better Business Bureau Online (bbbonline.org) lets you search for or file complaints against a specific online retailer. Look for the BBB stamp of approval on sites that meet its standards and pay a membership fee.
Make sure any online retailer posts its privacy policy prominently and allows you to opt out of having your information used for marketing purposes or shared with other parties.
Warnings
Make sure that any purchase transactions you conduct are secure. A URL that begins with https:// (instead of http://) signals that you are sending and receiving encrypted information, for security purposes.
10 Save a copy of the receipt and confirmation number on your hard drive, or print it out and keep a record of the transaction.
11 Open an electronic wallet. Available at Yahoo! Shopping and elsewhere, this application allows you to store your credit card information in one place to avoid retyping it every time you make a purchase. American Express ID Keeper (www.americanexpress.com/idkeeper) is a Windows-based application that lets users securely store personal data, credit card information, and Web site log-ins and passwords. Additionally, this data is stored directly on the embedded chip on the American Express Blue card.
Keep your passwords private. Never share your Social Security number or checking account number when making a purchase. and never send your credit card number via e-mail.
With a surge in retail fraud, many stores are tightening up on their return policies. Stores are not legally bound to accept returns unless a product was defective or falsely advertised. The lesson? Know the store’s policy before you buy, be courteous, don’t expect something you’re not entitled to, and hold on to those receipts.
Steps
Present the item in its original packaging, with the receipt and the credit card number, if any, used in the purchase. Most stores require that returns be made within 30 days, though some allow 90 days.
Go to the customer service counter or to a cashier. Early mornings are a good time to make returns. Tell the person behind the counter that you’d like to make a return. Provide a short explanation if necessary.
Expect to receive cash or have a credit applied to your credit card account. To reduce fraud, some retailers will send a check instead of providing cash. And some will only give a store credit.
Suggest an exchange for a product of equal value if the salesperson refuses an outright return. Be patient with the employees. Being aggressive is unlikely to help. Most salespeople know that a happy customer is good for them and, therefore, will find a way to make you happy, if they possibly can.
Asking to speak to a manager or supervisor may be necessary but may anger the salesperson. As a first attempt, try something like I understand your hands are tied. Is there someone else that I can talk to?
Be prepared to give up on an attempt if you meet unreasonable resistance. Try to come back when more knowledgeable staff are on hand. Do not make insults or threats as this will prejudice future negotiations against you.
What to Look For
Store policy
Original packaging and receipt
Refund or merchandise credit
Item-for-item exchange
Tip
If a product is defective or was falsely advertised and the store refuses to take it back, file a complaint with the local branch of the Better Business Bureau or your state’s consumer rights department.
Warnings
If you are returning to a store that has many seasons and you don’t have a receipt, you may only get a merchandise credit for the sale price of the item, which may be much less than you paid. This is a frequent issue with stores that have five to six seasons per year and do heavy markdowns to move merchandise.
As a consumer, you have the right to assume that a product will work as advertised. This is the product’s implied warranty. It doesn’t matter whether you bought something through mail order, over the phone, online or at a brick-and-mortar store. But if something does go wrong, there are a number of ways you can get satisfaction.
Steps
See 4 Make Returns.
Arm yourself with information before you buy. Make sure you know where to direct a complaint in case there’s a problem. If you’re getting an item delivered, be sure you know the retailer’s policy on shipping and on merchandise that’s lost or damage in transit. Review the warranty on an item (see 209 Buy Extended Warranties on Appliances).
Visit the store with the item and receipt. For an online purchase, e-mail customer service and include your order number. In a friendly but firm tone, explain the problem and your desired solution. If this fails to remedy the situation, call customer service. Most Web sites list customer-service phone numbers (in their About Us or Contact Us section). Or, call (800) 555-1212 for the toll-free directory.
If a store salesperson doesn’t give you adequate help, or isn’t able to remedy the situation, ask to speak to a supervisor. If the supervisor won’t help, ask for the name of the store manager or owner. Continue up the chain to a regional manager or the manager at the national headquarters.
Be persistent but polite on the phone, and get the name, title and direct number of each person you speak to. To avoid aggravating disconnections during transfers, and getting stuck in the voice mail quagmire, always ask for the number you are being transferred to. Address the salesperson by name in a friendly manner and make it clear that you are confident that, although he or she is not personally responsible for the problem, he or she will want to rectify the problem and reward your loyalty to the company.
Be prepared to ask for a resolution. If the company admits fault, ask how they intend to make it right. For example, if a bank screws up your account, ask for free checking for a year. If Sears fails to deliver a washing machine in a timely manner, ask for 50 percent off the unit. If you’re stumped for a specific request, ask the sales representative, What can you do to make this right and restore my faith in your company again?
What to Look For
Merchandise policy
Customer-service contact information
Consumer protection agencies
Better Business Bureau
Legal options
Public attention
Tips
If a retailer is unresponsive, contact the product’s manufacturer directly either on its Web site or in resources like the Standard & Poor’s Register of Corporations.
Document everything. Write down names, titles and phone numbers of people you speak to, plus the date and time. Record what they tell you. Keep a file of receipts, warranties, correspondence and photographs.
6 Contact your credit or debit card company, if you used it to make the purchase, and request in writing that the merchant be charged back. Credit card companies protect consumers from unauthorized charges, incomplete orders, defective products or false advertising.
7 Write a letter if your efforts fail to get results. Get the name of the person who will handle your complaint (preferably someone in management). Go online to the Consumer Action Web site (consumeraction.gov) to see a sample letter and get tips on crafting an effective complaint. Send the letter by registered mail or by overnight delivery to confirm the company receives it.
8 If the company still fails to fix the problem, report your complaint to a local or state consumer protection agency, with a copy to the company. For interstate sales, contact the Federal Trade Commission. The Consumer Action Web site will help you find the proper government agency.
9 At the same time that you complain to a government agency, file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (bbb.org or bbbonline.org for online purchases) and with any trade organization that regulates the industry or retailer.
10 Consider mediation or arbitration, small claims court, or legal action as final remedies. The Better Business Bureau will help mediate disputes. Small claims court is a do-it-yourself legal recourse. Hiring a lawyer should be considered only in extreme cases where damage or injury exceed $20,000 since your legal fees will mount quickly.
11 Let a manager or supervisor at the company in question know that you intend to go public. Almost every local television station has a consumer reporter or a consumer rip-off feature. Contact them with a letter detailing your grievance and asking for help in finding a resolution. Companies hate bad press—even the threat of it can whip them into behaving.
A courteous and pleasant approach will aid your efforts. Avoid becoming confrontational or emotional.
Try to get retailers and service representatives to see your point of view. A good question to ask is What would you do if you were in my situation?
A Montana saddlery ships boots to an urban cowboy in New York City. A Florida nursery ships exotic orchids to Alaska. The Internet has revolutionized selling for small businesses and individuals with home businesses. You no longer need a physical store to sell your wares and reach many more interested buyers. Use existing venues or set up your own online store.
Steps
Sell through existing venues
Go to sites like Amazon.com or Half.com to sell used books, CDs and other items at a fixed price. You can list items in exchange for a percentage of the sale. Avoid sites that charge you a fee to post an ad.
List items that are hard to ship (like a pool table or futon) on local sites such as Craigslist.org or in regional online classifieds, so that the buyer can pick it up.
Use online auction sites to sell collectibles, antiques, out-of-print books and anything else you find in the attic or garage. (See 10 Use Online Auction Sites.)
Get listed in local directories and on referral Web sites, such as Respond.com or Improvenet.com, if you have a professional service for hire. These sites conduct background checks and refer potential customers to you for a fee.
If you’re selling financial, romantic, psychic or other advice, consider using a site like Keen.com. Customers get connected to you through the service, which charges the customer by the minute and keeps a percentage of the profits.
Set up cybershop
Set up an online store. A substantial investment is required for start-up costs, which include domain name registration, site hosting, e-commerce software, site development and maintenance, marketing, credit card transaction fees, Internet access and customer service. There’s also the time spent on design, taking photos of inventory and updating the site (see 157 Hire Someone to Design and Build Your Web Site).
Design a sleek, professional, easy-to-navigate site that loads quickly at both dial-up and broadband speeds. Or, check out Amazon.com, eBay.com and Yahoo Shopping (shopping.yahoo.com) for turnkey solutions for building an online store—the bonus is that you tap into the heavy traffic of these popular sites and take advantage of search engines.
Include concise, informative copy and photographs to bring traffic to your site. Update it frequently to keep the content fresh.
What to Look For
Existing venues
Regional sites
Capital investment for e-commerce
Web-site design
URL placement
Tip
Image is everything when you sell online. Post copy that is impeccably written and free of errors. Include high-quality, well-cropped photographs of your products.
4 Register your URL on all the major search engines (including Google.com, Yahoo.com, Lycos.com and HotBot.com) to make sure your site shows up in relevant searches. Include keywords in meta tags in HTML files to increase the chances of getting hits from search engines. You may, however, find that paying for placement results in more traffic.
5 Advertise your Web site on heavily trafficked sites and through banner swaps (see 160 Buy Advertising on the Web). See Cyberatlas.internet.com for a compilation of online marketing stats and articles.
6 Establish trust. Post your privacy policy prominently. Have customer-service information clearly displayed, including third-party recommendations, like BBBOnline.com, and provide quick response. Set up a secure server to handle credit card transactions. Answer customer queries by phone or e-mail promptly, effectively and courteously.
7 Use discretion: Obnoxious, blinking ads and spam e-mails drive away customers.
Warning
Beware of individuals or companies that offer to sell instant access to wholesale inventories for your commerce site. Finding wholesale inventories isn’t easy, and anyone who says differently is misleading you.
Clipping coupons can trim your grocery bills if you have the time, discipline and patience. Keep track of the money you save, then reward yourself every now and then. You deserve it!
Steps
Set up an easy-to-use system to organize your coupons. Keep it near your car keys as a handy reminder before you go shopping.
Scour newspapers, magazines, coupon mailers, food packaging, grocery store receipts and the Internet for coupons.
Clip coupons only for products you’d buy anyhow (see 1 Be a Savvy Consumer). Don’t let irresistible savings dupe you into buying items you don’t need.
Know prices. Brand-name products with coupons often cost more than generics without coupons.
Look for hidden costs. A $3 pizza coupon may not seem as good a deal after you figure in the tip for the delivery guy.
Find out if your grocery store will match manufacturers’ coupons to double your savings. Many stores will.
Look to layer savings. If a store is offering a coupon on an item and you also have a manufacturer’s coupon, use both.
Join grocery store savings clubs and use manufacturers’ coupons on club sale items.
What to Look For
Newspaper and magazine inserts
Manufacturers’ coupons
Savings clubs
Tip
A Web search for coupons will yield thousands of hits, so make your search as specific as possible.
Warning
Coupons, like produce, are perishable. Use them before they expire.
Many people hate negotiating, but with a few simple tactics, it can be rewarding and fun. The following steps relate mostly to making purchases but the overall ideas—research the market, be upbeat and positive, and know what something is worth to you—can be applied to almost any negotiation. Check out 1 Be a Savvy Consumer as well.
Steps
Do your research ahead of time to find the best deals. If you’re looking for consumer goods, the Internet is a great place to look at prices and features. Use online comparison tools like ConsumerReports.org, Yahoo Shopping (shopping.yahoo.com), and DealTime.com. If you’re negotiating a salary increase, know what other people in your profession are making. If you want to buy a pedigreed puppy, find out what they’re going for.
Know what an item is worth to you and set an upper limit on what you’re willing to spend. It’s easy during negotiations for the game to shift. A salesperson might offer a price reduction on one item as long as you buy an additional one. Keep your needs and your goal well defined and stick to your limit. This also applies to salary negotiations: Securing a raise may necessitate additional responsibilities.
Adopt a direct but lighthearted attitude. Nobody wants to deal with a sourpuss. This applies to salary negotiations as well as purchases. Your boss will deal with you more openly if you are able to state your position clearly, including why you deserve that raise. Practice salary negotiations with a pro—see 145 Hire a Career Counselor.
Remain indifferent when making purchases. Hardball price negotiation requires the seller to believe that you are willing to walk away. To be convincing at this, you must indeed be willing to walk. Practice with small purchases and you’ll see this is true. Remember that most consumer goods, even major purchases like cars, are not one of a kind, rare, or hard to find, so don’t be swayed by these claims. This tactic has limited application for salary negotiations unless you are truly ready to quit. Threatening to quit is not likely to secure your raise.
Make the seller (or your boss) want to say yes. Most people want to be deal makers and problem solvers. Salespeople want to sell. Your boss wants productive and loyal employees. You have a problem (the washing machine is too expensive, your salary is too small) and you want their help. They are the important decision makers and you will have a great deal of respect for them if they can solve this problem.
Hire professional help for complicated negotiations. Real estate transactions, for example, are too complicated for most nonprofessionals. (See 184 Sell a House Without a Real Estate Agent.)
What to Look For
Know the market
Be friendly
Make the seller want to help
Tip
Friends and relatives are a great source of information about sensitive financial matters but be sure to conduct additional research. Stories involving money are always subject to exaggeration.
The environmental challenges of pollution, global warming and scarce resources are daunting. Can you make a difference through your daily purchases? Yes, if you’re prepared to do a little research. Every dollar spent on environmentally friendly products encourages manufacturers to think green.
Imagine having a garage sale that millions of people visit. Online auctions allow you to do just that. Television sets, bean bag chairs or designer wedding dresses: If you have it or are dying to get it, an online auction is the place to go. Yahoo.com and Amazon.com have auction sites, but eBay.com is widely considered the premier site for buyers and sellers alike. For general auction tips, check out 374 Buy at Auction.
Steps
Buying
Sleuth out the going rate for what you’re shopping for. Check final bids for similar items in archived auctions. Visit Tias.com or WorthGuide.com to see prices for collectibles. See 1 Be a Savvy Consumer and 375 Know What Your Collectibles Are Worth.
Check a seller’s history for positive comments. Online auctions are self-policing with buyers and sellers offering feedback on each other. A seller’s name will be followed by the number of auctions he or she has held and a satisfaction rating by the bidders.
Provide feedback on other sellers to encourage them to do the same for you. Take a deep breath before you fire off an inflammatory negative review—these reviews are permanent and may reflect poorly on you.
E-mail the seller with any questions, and if anything about the seller seems dubious, don’t bid.
Read the item description carefully; some sellers bury negative information in confusing language or small print. If the size of an item isn’t included and is important, e-mail the seller for it—photos can be deceiving.
Find out the cost of shipping beforehand. If it’s not listed, ask the seller. Some sellers overcharge for shipping to make extra money.
Use proxy bids, which let you make an initial bid and set a maximum one. Your bid then gets automatically increased against competing bids, until you win the auction or someone outbids your maximum. Most sites let you know via e-mail when you’ve been outbid.
Add pennies to your offer to sneak above other bids. For example, if someone has a maximum bid of $75 and you bid $75.07, you’ll beat them with only 7 cents.
What to Look For
Buyer and seller history
Item description
Proxy bids and sniping
Dutch auctions
Site regulations
E-mail communication
Shipping and insurance
Tips
Know your limit. Avoid getting swept up in the bidding frenzy and paying more than an item is worth or that you can afford.
Be wary of shill bidders who work in cahoots with the seller to artificially drive up the auction price. If you suspect a seller is using shill bidders, report it to the Website administrator.
Both eBay.com and Amazon.com insure auctions from reputable sellers up to a certain amount. They also offer escrow services so buyer and seller can safely exchange large amounts of money.
Many auction sites have wonderful community features that allow you to network with other collectors. Take advantage of them.
9 Be a sniper. Bid at the very last minute before an auction ends to snipe, or snatch away an item from another bidder. There are Web sites that will do the sniping for you for a fee.
10 Use a credit or debit card if possible. These cards provide protections to you as a buyer that checks and money orders don’t. Never send cash.
11 Save all e-mails related to a transaction until it is completed and you are satisfied with your purchase.
Selling
Buy several items from an auction site before you begin selling to build up your personal profile with positive feedback.
Include photos that show the complete item, plus details of unique features or flaws. Compress the image files to minimize download time for people checking out your stuff.
Do a search before you list an item to make sure there aren’t other people auctioning the same thing. Wait to list your item until the other auction ends.
Use so-called Dutch auctions (in which you sell more than one of the same item) only on very popular products; otherwise you’ll drive down the demand and price.
Know the auction site’s rules. For example, while you can purchase guns at other sites, many auction sites (including eBay.com) prohibit the sale of firearms, explosives, live animals and human body parts.
Plan your auction to end at a time when lots of people use the site, such as weeknights or weekend days. Run longer auctions so more people have time to stumble upon them.
Give bidders every reason to place a bid. Accept credit cards and offer guaranteed satisfaction. Respond promptly to questions from bidders.
E-mail the winning bidder promptly to arrange payment (many sites use PayPal). Ship the item as soon as the payment goes through. Print all e-mails related to a sale and file them until the transaction is completed.
Package items securely and use a shipping service that automatically insures packages up to $100. Buy insurance for packages worth more than $100.
Write (and spell-check) an attention-getting title and a thorough, accurate product description. Include condition, history, dimensions, distinct markings, shipping costs, and payment options. Glean keywords from other ads that people are likely to search for and write your item description accordingly.
Warning
Never provide your Social Security number or bank account number to sellers. If a seller asks for this information, report it to the Web administrator immediately.
Stores like Costco and Sam’s Club are worth going to just for the people-watching. Whether they’re a good deal or not depends on if you’re an educated consumer and can exercise some discipline against impulse purchases.
Steps
Do not expect knowledgeable salespeople. While many of these stores pride themselves on having friendly employees, there’s no question that they keep their costs low by employing minimum-wage labor. If you haven’t already done some comparison shopping, you probably won’t be able to make an informed purchase.
Understand the annual fee required by most warehouse stores. If you don’t plan to use the store frequently it probably isn’t worth joining. With an annual fee of $35, you will need to spend about $260 before you begin to see any savings at all, compared to regular grocery stores.
Compare price tags. On average, the prices at a warehouse store are lower than at most other stores. But that’s not a guarantee that all prices are lower. Some stores will advertise a very low price on a few items, then hope you’ll assume all prices are low. Unless you’ve checked the prices somewhere else, you can’t assume you’re saving any money. And popular brand name goods at a warehouse store are frequently more expensive than generic goods at a regular grocery store.
Be aware that inventory may change rapidly and if you spot something you need, get it. Many items are in a one-time shipment.
Resist impulse buying. The more you buy, the more you save is a big, fat tempting lie. Buying and saving are two different things. If you buy something you don’t need, you’re not saving anything, you’re wasting. See 1 Be a Savvy Consumer.
Get deep savings on big ticket items like electronics, furnishings and appliances if you know what you need. On the other hand, don’t compromise on style, color or quality just to save on something that may not fit with the rest of your house.
Bring cash, a checkbook, a debit card or a Discover card. Most clubs don’t accept credit cards.
Pay attention to rebates. In order to get the full benefit from a warehouse store you have to follow through with the rebate mail-ins that apply to some purchases. Know the procedure for collecting your rebate and be sure to get the proper forms.
What to Look For
Competitors’ prices
Savings on big-ticket items
Rebates
Tips
Warehouse stores offer film processing, pharmacies, carpet sales and installation, automotive services and other features to enhance membership benefits.
If you run a small business or plan to shop a lot, get an executive card that returns 2 percent of your expenditures at the end of the year.
Warehouse stores offer excellent deals on seasonal items like patio furniture and barbecue grills. They also have very good deals on popular books, CDs and DVDs.
Costco (costco.com) and Sam’s Club (samsclub.com) both have online stores.
Some clubs offer temporary passes so you can browse the selections before you join. If you buy anything with the temporary pass, you’ll need to pay an additional 5 to 10 percent.
If never pay retail is your credo, you know that a trip to the outlet mall is just the tip of the iceberg. But how low can the prices go? Further reductions will only be possible through some effort on your part, like buying larger quantities or securing a reseller’s license.
Steps
Work your network of colleagues, friends and family to find wholesale sources. Plumbers, contractors, landscapers, florists, interior designers and jewelers all have access to wholesale markets and/or prices. These professionals may require that you hire them to take advantage of reduced prices, so balance these expenditures against potential savings.
Call wholesale suppliers and ask if they have special hours for the general public. Wholesalers are listed in the Yellow Pages by category, such as Plumbing Supplies—Wholesale. They’ll charge sales tax and mark up prices a bit, but you can still find great bargains.
Join associations or professional groups that share your interests. Many groups, through their combined buying power, have access to lower prices. Magazines and Web sites
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