Chapter 4

14 Ways To Be A Street-Smart Consumer

To be a street smart consumer

You must comparison shop,

Or your money will disappear sooner

And your savings will suddenly stop.

~~~

The more you know before you buy it

The less you'll pay, so do your bit,

Research, check and ask

Before laying out your cash

And you'll enjoy the financial benefit.

What exactly is a street-smart consumer? A street-smart consumer is person who looks beyond the sales hype, promotional gimmicks or fine print.

Whether it's a house, a pair of shoes or a meal at a restaurant. The street-smart consumer is always evaluating the best price and value for the money.

Laws and regulations can't protect you if you don't take the time to protect yourself by keeping informed.

The information in this chapter will show you specific ways to protect yourself and your money.

In addition, there are businesses that are not necessarily shady or dishonest, but there service may be impersonal or inferior. Or the business may be too big and busy to give you the personal service you need or deserve.

Street-smart consumers are always searching for the best places to spend their hard-earned money. But they don't stop there. They love sales, but they're always a bit cynical if the price is too low. They want to know why.

A street-smart consumer has the attitude, if it's too good to be true it probably is ... at least until proven otherwise.

They also believe there is no  such thing as something for nothing. They know they have to meet at least one of three requirements on any something-for-nothing deal.

 1. There Future Time.

2. There Future Money.

3. There Future Loyalty and Commitment.

 If you have ever been ripped off, having the attitude just mentioned will reduce your chances of ever being ripped off again.

 The purpose of this chapter is to recruit more street-smart consumers.

If you're ready to join the ranks raise your right hand, say "I do" - and let's learn. Here's the powerful habits of the street-smart consumer.

 1. Cash is the only way to pay less than what an item or service is worth.

Despite the credit card frenzy, cash is still king ... if you know how to use it wisely. This book will give you suggestions on how to use your cash to get more product and service for the money.

 2. The larger the quantity you buy the more of a discount you should ask for.

3. When and if you have to have it, beware! You're probably going to pay too much for it.

 4. If it sounds too good to be true, beware! Find out the catch, there usually is one. Newer version coming out? Low demand? Cheap ingredients or materials? Find out before you buy it.

 5. Learn how to use advertising instead of letting advertising use you. You do this by separating "provable facts" from sales hype and exaggerations. Read labels, comparison shop, check the fine print.

 6. Got to have it now? Hurry up buying is expensive, 90% of the time you'll overpay, especially on big-ticket items. Avoid hurry up buying by simply planning and comparison-shopping.

 7. Planning your purchases before you need them is a key to saving money. Give yourself time to shop around, compare or even wait if you have to.

 8. Remember: It's always cheaper to do-it-yourself, if you can. There is a book, DVD or class that will show you how.

 9. Being a wise consumer doesn't always mean buying the cheapest item. Buying the cheapest can often be the most expensive if it breaks down when you need it most. (Yuk).

 10. Do you know how to avoid falling for bait and switch advertising?

Find out the true value of the advertised item by checking comparison shopping sites like "http://www.shopzilla.com/index__rf--uuu000.html"

Insist on the advertised item at the advertised price or walk away.

Report all bait and switch advertising to the "http://bbb.com" and/or

http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/consumer.htm.

11. Beware of "no-promise" promises in advertising. For example, the best (compared to what?) The greatest (according to who?), or guaranteed (against what and for how long?).

 12. Beware of advertisements aimed at children and to inspire parental guilt.

Advertisers have long discovered how to use children as sales allies. It's up to parents to realize this and educate their children to be street-smart consumers at an early age.

13. Search the classified ads in your local newspaper, Shopping News or Penny Saver. You can find excellent bargains from people who didn't apply the rules you're reading in this chapter.

 14. If you're in a store and see an item that's more expensive than a competitors, ask them if they can match there competitors price. It also helps to have an ad of the advertised price and to make sure you speak to a manager.

To be a street smart-consumer takes a dash of guts, a large helping of confidence and a little knowledge. You'll find many merchants and retailers will respect those qualities enough to give you price breaks, special deals and discounts to keep your business.