The Ten Commandments of consumerism

Herb Weisbaum • Profile • E-mail

This is my favorite week of the year — National Consumer Protection Week — a time to remember that we all need to be better and smarter consumers year round.

By following these “10 Consumer Commandments” you should have fewer hassles and reduce your chances of falling for a scam.

1. Thou shalt not assume
Many consumer problems are created by simple misunderstandings that result in major problems. The best way to keep this from happening is to ask lots of questions.

Don’t assume the tree service you hired to prune will haul away the debris. Ask. Don’t assume the appliance store will remove the old refrigerator when it drops off the new one. Ask. Don’t assume you can return that new computer you’re about to buy. If the return policy isn’t posted – ask.

REPORT FRAUD Scam victims are often embarrassed to admit they’ve been taken. If you’ve been swindled you need to report it to the National Fraud Information Center. This information is collected and reported to local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Filing a fraud report may not get your money back, but it could prevent others from becoming victims and help the authorities go after the bad guys.

2. Thou shalt get all promises in writing
If it isn’t written down, it doesn’t count. Verbal promises are worthless because you can never prove what was said. If there’s a dispute, it’s your word against theirs and you have nothing to back up your claim.

3. Thou shalt do thy homework before making a major purchase
We’re all racing around trying to do more in a day than is humanly possible. But you can’t rush the purchase of a big ticket item such as a household appliance.

Take the time to research various brands and models. Read expert reviews and go online to see what customers have to say. Talk to friends and neighbors who have the models you’re considering. Use shopping bots to compare prices. The more you know before you head to the store, the more likely you are to get a good deal on the right product.

4. Thou shalt not be penny wise and pound foolish
Cheaper is not always better. Sometimes you save money in the long run by paying a bit more up front. This applies to both products and services.

You might pay more for a washing machine that is well-built and reliable, but over the long run you’ll have fewer hassles and smaller repair bills.

When hiring a contractor, the lowest bidder is not always the best choice. Your goal is to find a reputable company with a good track record; one that will do a good job at a reasonable price.

5. Thou shalt not hire a contractor who just shows up at the door
They’ll offer you a great deal on a new roof or driveway repair because they’re “in the neighborhood” and have materials left over from a previous job. Reputable contractors just don’t work that way. The Better Business Bureau website has some great tips as well.

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