Suzy Gershman shares her top tips on how not to be taken for a ride when shopping at home, abroad, and online.
1. The price miscalculation: The clerk calculates a price in US dollars but uses the wrong exchange rate, making the price appear quite attractive. Avoid It: Know your exchange rate (check www.xe.com) and mention it to the clerk while he or she calculates.
2. The sketchy shop referral: "My cousin owns this shop. You can trust him." Right. Avoid It: Disregard all unsolicited referrals.
3. The classic bait & switch: This one's been around for centuries. That great deal in the ad (the bait) turns out to be "no longer available" so you're stuck browsing for other items that are "just as good" (the switch). Avoid It: Call the shop to confirm the deal before you go.
4. The floor sample bait & switch: You buy an item but are told you have taken the sample and you will be brought a fresh one "from the back." The new item is not the same quality. Avoid It: Inspect all "items from the back," and never let a clerk pack or wrap your items out of sight.
5. The "can't-get-it-in-the-US" pitch: "This item is okay but you can get it in United States. This other model is brand new, cost a little more but is much better and you only buy it here." Avoid It: Ignore the pitch and try to talk the price down; assume both items are worth the same.
6. The gift card wipeout: You answer an online ad for a discounted luxury gift card (say $300 for a card worth $500) and verify the card's value at the store before paying the seller. When you go to use the card a few days or weeks later you learn that the seller has wiped out the value online. (Sad but true: My editor is still smarting over a Barneys card scam.) Avoid It: Know which stores allow you to use gift card codes online. If you still insist on buying the card, have your purchases ready at the store cashier and use the card immediately before you pay the seller.
7. The "handcrafted" lie: You are assured that this charming item was handcrafted by local artisans when in fact it is a mass produced item made in a factory in China. Avoid It: If you cannot verify craftsmanship, assume that all products are factory-made, and pay accordingly.
8. The blank shipping fees voucher ("sign here"): You allow the very nice shopkeeper to mail the item for you, and she admits that she doesn't know exactly what the shipping will cost because the item must be packed and weighed at the post office (this makes sense) -- so you must sign a second credit card voucher, with the price to be filled in once the post office supplies the information. Ha. Avoid It: Always agree on a specific fee before you pay for shipping.
9. The refund empty promise: "If you change your mind about this, I give you full refund." Avoid It: Always assume otherwise.
10. Online auction scams: This is reportedly the most common Internet scam: You buy that antique bike on eBay for $300, pay, then never hear from the seller again. Avoid It: Beware of fake eBay websites and emails that don't contain "ebay.com/" or "ebay.co.uk/" (make sure the slash mark is in the right place). Also beware of sellers with zero feedback or numerous feedback/bids from a single source. For more eBay scam tips, try the blog www.trevorginn.com.