The Chronic Consumer

One thing I’ve come to appreciate about a few online retailers that I shop at again and again is the way they pay attention to the details. I love stores with liberal return policies, that ship my order when they say they will, that respond quickly to customer service inquiries, and that handle my purchased products with care.

I know these all sound like basic responsibilities that you’d expect any store to cover, but unfortunately, that’s not the case these days. Most places are looking to keep overhead costs down by providing shoddy service, and those are stores that I tend to avoid making repeat purchases from.

By contrast, the stores that treat me well, offer great prices, and go the extra mile by putting my purchases in custom boxes so they don’t get damaged during shipping are the ones I spend my money at again and again.

So what is it that you look for in online stores? What are some things that get you to spend your money at one particular place over another? What keeps you away from some places?

One thing I’ve learned from my shopping experiences is that I don’t want purchases costing me more than I intended in the long run, so I try to avoid financing things whenever possible. I still put almost everything on my credit cards in order to get rewards points, but I make absolutely sure that I pay off the entire bill each month in order to avoid the outrageous interest charges.

At a time like this when more and more people are going into debt or looking for foreclosure help, the last thing you want to do is add to your financial problems by running up huge credit card bills. Shop smarter by cutting corners and buying only what you can afford at the time. If that means you have to skimp on extras like family vacations or even birthday presents, then so be it. It makes no sense to go into debt so you can buy your kid a new iPod or Nintendo game.

If you’re anything like me, then you probably get invited to anywhere between 1-5 baby and wedding showers per year. Having to purchase gifts for each of these events can really add up, particularly when times are tight, as they are now.

Here’s a great tip to keep in mind when you’re shopping for wedding or baby gifts: you don’t have to make your purchases from the store where the intended recipients are registered. Simply take a look at the registry to find out what kinds of items the recipient is hoping to get, then shop elsewhere for the same (or equivalent) products at lower prices.

Let’s face it: most couples or parents-to-be usually register at stores that they don’t shop at regularly. Instead, they tend to go up a level or two to get “better” gifts or things that they wouldn’t ordinarily buy for themselves.

There’s nothing wrong with that practice, but it does make things a bit harder for those who are doing the shopping. So instead of buying a towel set from Macy’s, why not get the same set from an online auction or discount site for a lower price? Instead of getting a Waterford crystal punch bowl, why not get an off-brand crystal bowl for much less?

If it’s the thought that truly counts in gift-giving, then the recipients shouldn’t have a problem receiving equivalent items. If they do, well, they can always exchange the item for something else!

I have a desk drawer full of logo pens, notepads, baseball schedules, calendars, and even letter openers from various companies, such as restaurants, oil change places, and house painters. Many of these companies offer freebies with each and every order or purchase, and while scoring a free pen might not seem like a big deal, it does in fact influence my buying decisions. I’m much more likely to spend my money at a place where I know I’ll get something in return, no matter how small.

I know I’m not going to get rich this way or anything like that, but I can always use pens and notepads, so I’m not complaining. Every freebie helps in my household!

I like contributing to good causes whenever possible, but sometimes I simply don’t have extra money to donate outright to charities. That’s why I’m always on the lookout for special causes that I can support merely by shopping as I usually do.

I’ve mentioned a couple of these “good cause” purchases in the past, including my Women’s Empowerment Bracelet from Avon, my DVDs For the Cure from Fox Home Entertainment, and my Humanity Bracelet from St. Jude. These are all terrific items, and part of the purchase of each was given in support of women’s rights or cancer research.

There are a number of campaigns out there that let consumers support such diverse causes as AIDS in Africa, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, mesothelioma research, or even animal sanctuaries. All you have to do is run a few quick Internet searches for the particular causes you believe in, and see if there are any current campaigns that you can participate in. This is an easy way to show your support while getting great merchandise in return!

There are several thrift stores and consignment shops in my area, and every once in a while I like to go in and check out what’s available. I think a lot of people have this misconception that the only things you’d find in a thrift shop are clothes that a beggar might be forced to wear, but that’s not the case at all. I’ve actually purchased several nice, name-brand jeans and tops over the years — all at significant savings.

Sure, I have to examine the items carefully before buying to make sure that they’re not too worn out or damaged, but to me that’s worth being able to get a pair of Tommy jeans for $10. I think a lot of people would agree with me, especially when times are tough (like now).

Unfortunately, the nature of thrift stores is that you never know what’s going to be available in your size. Today when I went in to check, I found a couple of souvenir t-shirts from vegas hotels, a couple of business suits that I don’t need right now, and one pair of Calvin Klein jeans that were a bit too worn in the seat to entice me. I went home empty handed, but it was still fun to browse!

If you’re one of those people turned off by the mere mention of thrift stores, I recommend opening your mind a bit. You’d be surprised at the quality clothes that turn up in those places, and you’re probably losing out on a lot of bargains!

How diligent are you about returning or exchanging products that you’re not satisfied with? For example, what if you come across a bunch of duds while searching for a diet pill that works? Would you take (or send) the duds back in order to get a refund, or do you just keep all of the half-empty bottles in your medicine chest for years?

How about if you simply change your mind about a top or a pair of shoes? Do you make an extra trip back to the store to return the items, or do you simply let your closet fill up with unworn clothing?

The obvious answer here is to return or exchange everything that you possibly can, but you’d be surprised at just how many people simply are not vigilant about getting their money’s worth. I have several friends who don’t feel right about returning items that aren’t patently defective, so they choose not to take advantage of liberal manufacturer or store policies.

But that’s such a waste! Personally, I keep all of my receipts for at least one year (longer on more expensive items), which gives me an opportunity to make returns within the 30-, 60-, or 90-day periods that most stores offer. As a result, I never get “stuck” with a product I don’t use or enjoy, and my shopping dollars go a heck of a lot farther!

In celebration of Earth Day, I thought I’d write a post about how you can do your part to help save the environment while getting free stuff at the same time. Everybody loves free stuff, right? So listen up.

The best way to go about getting free items of all kinds is to join a so-called “freecycle” group and find people who are trying to unload what you need.

I know, I know: getting a 5-year-old pool table for free isn’t quite the same thing as getting a brand-new model, but the bottom line is that you’re not spending a dime on the product. In times like this when money is tight to begin with, who’s going to quibble about a product’s age? As long as it’s in decent shape and works properly, I wouldn’t care that it’s used.

I’ve checked out Freecycle.org, and while I haven’t actually gotten anything from there, I could see myself using it again in the future. A lot of the items are in perfectly good condition and are just being replaced because kids have outgrown it, people are moving into smaller accommodations, etc. There really are some great finds waiting to be discovered over there.

If you like free stuff, check out Freecycle.org today. Then you can put the money you save on all your free goods towards bills that can’t be paid for by barter, such as your rent or car insurance.

Oh, and be sure to do your part by offering your unwanted items up for grabs at freecycle sites as well. Obviously, these types of operations need takers and givers in order to succeed!

While I was perusing the news this morning, I read that Toyota and General Motors are recalling more than 660,000 vehicles because of safety issues. Even though my family doesn’t own any of the vehicles involved, it still got me thinking. We live in a world where product recalls are all too common, which makes me wonder if I should be doing more research before buying stuff.

I don’t want to sound like an alarmist here, but some of the health and safety hazards posed by consumer products can be downright deadly. For instance, we all know how prolonged exposure to or handling of asbestos products often leads to mesothelioma or other complications, and how lead paint can cause a variety of health problems. Toys with small parts present choking hazards, and some types of clothing are more flammable than others because of the materials used in manufacturing.

It’s a lot to take in and keep track of, but obviously my family’s safety is worth spending a bit of extra time making sure certain companies and brands use only approved materials and components, right?

I admit that I hardly inquire into any companies before I buy their products (besides checking to see if makeup products are animal-tested), but maybe I should start doing so.

How about you? Do you perform due diligence prior to making these types of purchases?

As someone whose portfolio runs more to penny stocks than blue chips, I’m always looking for ways to save money when I shop. Along with doing the obvious things such as buying items when they’re on sale, here’s another tenet that I absolutely live by:

Buy products out of season!

This is an oldie but goodie, and applies to more than just clothes. Everyone knows that if you want the best deal on a winter coat, you have to buy it in February or March when stores are making way for spring and summer inventory.

This kind of thinking applies to other seasonal products as well, such as patio furniture, barbecue grills, Christmas cards, wrapping paper, and more. If you have space to store these types of items for several months before actually using them, then you could end up saving a ton of money.

Shopping this way requires foresight (what will you need 6 months or one year from now?) and discipline (if you buy something now, will you still like it when it comes time to use it?), but is definitely worth it!