Christmas 2006

Hitting the Stores

Read sale ads carefully. During the holidays, some merchants may offer items at a sale price for a limited time, for as little as four hours or early in the morning. Others may say "quantities limited," "no rain checks," or "not in combination with other offers." You may want to call ahead to see if the item is on the shelves.

Allow time for planning and comparison-shopping. Keep your budget in mind and shop carefully to get the best selection and price. Some merchants may offer a sale price for a limited time on an item you want.

Watch the scanner. During the holidays, it seems like retailers are announcing new sales and markdowns every day. With the extra workload, sometimes the staff can't keep up with all the price changes and update the cash register scanners with the new prices. If you think the price isn't right, speak up. If you're going to go buy something you saw advertised, take a copy of the ad with you.

Be aware of distractions. It sounds like basic advice but get your receipt when you make a purchase and put it away carefully. Don't let yourself get into "Murphy's Law situation" needing that one receipt you tossed in the trash. Make sure you're OK with the refund and return policies for sale items, especially those on clearance. A misplaced receipt could contain enough information for a crook to misuse your credit card number to make a purchase! Also, be sure to retrieve your credit card after completing a transaction. It's easy to forget it after spending a frustrating half hour in line.