These are just a few simple things that you can do to make sure that the next large purchase you make is exactly what YOU want, and not what some alpha dog salesman with a quota thinks you should buy:
1. Do your research.
The internet is your friend, use it wisely. Scattered all over the web are consumer sites with loads of information on everything you can think of, including cars, appliances, electronics, food, etc., etc. You can even subscribe to a website or magazine like www.consumerreports.org to get expert evaluation gathered already for you.
2. Have an idea of what you want, BEFORE you get to the store.
This is crucial. Nothing derails a serious discussion of quality like colors or finishes. These are decisions that can most likely be made before you ever see a salesman. Besides, why include a person who doesn't live in your house in a conversation on what the appliances should look like? Whose judgement is better than yours?
3. Ask Questions.
Any question on your mind relating to your purchase is a good one. Any salesperson helping you should be equipped with a full, honest, and speedy answer. This also keeps the seller on their toes. Normally, a sales rep. will look to dominate the conversation in order to speed up the closing of a sale. A steady stream of informed questions will have you leading the way to what you want, instead of them leading you to something you may not want.
4. Find out about hidden costs.
There is nothing worse to me than agreeing to a price on something like a refrigerator, and finding out that the delivery cost doesn't cover hooking it up. This is the kind of nonsense that people encounter everyday for the simple fact of forgetting the fine print. Which leads to my next point..........
5. 0% aint always 0%!!!
You see these deals all the time time but what many young people (let alone young women) don't know is that more often than not, there is a time limit to that 0% financing plan. The trick is that if you don't pay the whole amount within that time period your interest is compiled retroactively. This means that now they will charge you interest for the entire time you have owned the product since the day you bought it.
6. Don't be afraid to walk away!
This is one that some people really have trouble with. It is very difficult sometimes to leave without making a purchase when you have come to the store specifically for that item, even if you are not totally satisfied with what is available. People must remember that the store needs you more than you need them. It may well be worth moving on from somwhere, or someone in particular to find what you want, instead of settling or caving in to a pushy salesperson. It is a salesperson's job to get a sale out of every person in the door, but that doesn't mean that you should have something you don't really like.
