Holiday Shopping Tips

Header--Montgomery County, Maryland. Press Releases

DB:holidayshop.pr 99-427

Contact: Sue P. Rogan at 240-777-3722
For Release: December 1, 1999

HOLIDAY SHOPPING TIPS

The Consumer Affairs Division of Montgomery County's Department of Housing and Community Affairs offers several holiday shopping tips to help consumers avoid problems that typically occur during the holiday season.

The most common problem involves returning unwanted merchandise. Maryland law allows merchants to set their own return policy concerning refunds and exchanges as long as it is posted on a prominent sign or written on the sales receipt or price tag.

"Find out ahead of time what a store's return policy is before making a purchase," advises George Rose, Chief of the Consumer Affairs Division. "While most stores in the Washington area have fairly liberal return policies, many have restrictions and some do not allow returns at all."

However, these return policies do not limit a merchant's responsibility in Maryland when the merchandise is defective. If a product is defective, the manufacturer or retailer should repair or replace the defective product or refund the purchase price.

Consumers should also save receipts and make sure the receipt is itemized. For example, if the receipt says "MDSE" for merchandise, have the clerk identify in writing the specific merchandise that was purchased. This will verify the price paid in case the same item is on sale when it is returned. Without a sales slip, the merchant may only be willing to refund the post holiday sale price.

Consumers who are shopping online should research the product and the company carefully before buying. Be sure to get a street address and phone number for the company before ordering any merchandise. A website address may not enough to track a company when the product arrives broken, incomplete or otherwise unsatisfactory. As with any purchase, check the refund policy and the warranty coverage.

Additional shopping tips:

If you pay by credit card for your holiday purchases and have problems with the product, you can dispute the charge with your credit card company if the product costs more than $50 and is purchased within your home state or within 100 miles of your residence.

Don't assume you have three days to cancel any contract. There is no such law. Only certain types of transactions, such as door-to-door sales for $25 or more, give such a right.

Be wary of purchasing anything over the phone unless you made the initial call to the company. Unfortunately, some telemarketers are scam artists who pressure you into making a quick decision without being able to evaluate the purchase. If interested in purchasing the item being offered, you should instruct the telemarketer to mail you written information on the item and the terms of purchase. Remember, Maryland law requires a written contract for all telephone sales. Unless you know the company you are dealing with, do not pay any money up front or give out your credit card or checking account number.

Verify the delivery date for any purchases you make through mail order catalogs. The FTC Mail Order Merchandise Rule requires the company to notify you if they cannot meet the stated delivery date (or 30 days if no date is given). If you do not agree to a new delivery date, the company must refund your money. Always keep a copy of your order form.

Review all advertising claims carefully, especially ads which claim to offer the "best price" this year, the "lowest" price of any store in the area, or a discount off the "regular" price. Consumers should do their own comparison shopping.

If you are dissatisfied with a holiday purchase, give the business a chance to resolve the problem. Ask to speak with the manager or owner, since they normally have the authority to take whatever action is necessary to resolve a legitimate complaint.

If this doesn't take care of the problem, call the Division of Consumer Affairs at 240-777-3636 for advice and assistance.

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