As thousands of Connecticut residents take to the stores on "Black Friday," the traditional start of the holiday shopping season, Governor M. Jodi Rell and the state Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) are offering the following tips to help holiday shoppers save money and avoid common pitfalls.
"We want to help consumers get their money's worth as they prepare to 'shop 'til they drop,'" Governor Rell said. "By following a few simple rules, savvy shoppers can save money on their holiday shopping and steer clear of rip-offs."
* Read the fine print. Watch out for low-cost items where the ad says quantities limited, no rainchecks are available or items are not available at all stores.
"If a Connecticut store does not have that sale item you saw advertised in the paper, you will probably have the right to a raincheck unless the advertisement disclosed that quantities were limited and no rainchecks would be offered," Consumer Protection Commissioner Jerry Farrell said.
* Compare. Many stores will match or even beat their competitors' prices. Read the merchant's pricing policy carefully, however. It may not apply to all items. One store's sale price may be higher than another's everyday price.
"When comparison shopping, make sure you have the item's manufacturer, model number, stock number or other identifying information to be sure you are comparing the same two items," Commissioner Farrell said.
* Check online to get an idea of the range of prices being asked for a particular item. Some Web sites may even compare prices offered at stores in your area.
* Ask about sale adjustments. If you buy an item at regular price and it goes on sale the next week, can you get a credit or refund for the discounted amount? What documentation will you need?
* Ask about refund and return policies. In Connecticut, sellers can set any refund or exchange policies they choose, provided that they post the policy in a conspicuous place. Find out what the "restocking fee" will be, especially on large items like televisions and computers. Stores are allowed to charge you for the cost of returning the unwanted item to their warehouse. If there is no return/refund notice posted, you may, within seven calendar days, return any new, unused item to the store with a proof of purchase and get a cash refund on a cash sale or a credit to your charge account on a credit card sale.
"If the holiday return date is not printed on your receipt, ask the sales clerk to mark and initial the return date on the store receipt," Commissioner Farrell said.
* Don't buy expensive service agreements. Extended warranties are often a bad deal for consumers because research shows that products seldom break within the extended-warranty window (typically around three years). When they do break, repairs often cost about the same as the cost of the warranty.
"If you have a problem with a retailer that cannot be resolved, file a written complaint with the Department of Consumer Protection," Governor Rell said.
The complaint form is available online at www.ct.gov/dcp .
