Shopping Smarts

In Hong Kong, we make consumer choices every day. Yet we seldom have books on teaching you how to be an informed consumer. We believe that everyone knows how to shop. Partly correct, but not everyone knows how to shop SMARTLY.

Here’re some tips from the book:

1.      Do you really need it? Or just being tempted by a sudden urge (impulse buying)?

2.      What exactly are your needs?

Pinpoint your needs. Don’t waste your money on features that you don’t really need or end up with a bargain that doesn’t get the job done.

3.      Does brand names really matter?

Many well-known brands have a reputation for quality, but remember that you’ll probably spend more for them. Lesser-known brands offer the same quality for a much lower price.

4.      Do your research online, through consumer magazines, or in person. You can read the reviews to get the opinions of other shoppers. If you pay a visit in person, do remember that the salesperson is there to sell you a product. He or she might tell you only the benefits (not flaws) of a product. And not all salespeople are experts on the products they sell.

5.      Consumer power

The choices you make as a consumer can have a big impact on the issues you’re concerned.

l   Buying green

Try to avoid products with excessive packaging and look for recyclable or biodegradable packaging.

Bring your reusable bags to the store.

l   Animal testing

Check the label or animal rights websites before you buy a personal care product.

l   Locally produced

The money you spend on those products will help the local workers and local economy.

l   Boycotts

If you don’t like a company’s products or the way it does business, you can choose not to buy from that company.

6.      Full sale

Most stores discount prices and hold sales regularly. If you wait a bit, the item you want may soon be on sale for a fraction of the price.

7.      Power outlet

The savings on these items can be large, especially on well-known brands, but make sure you check them very carefully before buying, as they usually aren’t returnable.

There’re many other tips on rewards programs, coupons and rebates offered by shops; pricing tactics like bulking up and markups; and shopping via online auctions and for secondhand.

Finally, the book tells us pros and cons of various ways of paying goods: cash? Cheques? Gift card? Debit card? Credit card?

By the way, this is the first time I heard about the difference between “http” and “https” in URL. Want to know the answer? Better read this book!

What a surprise! This book does give us a complete picture on shopping and shop smartly!

Scheff, Anna (2012). USA Today. Teen wise guides: Shopping smarts. MN: Twenty-first Century Book.