> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.foodconsumer.org/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Avoid Buyer’s Remorse with this Helpful Checklist - URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/before_you_buy_0605141217/ - Published: 2014-06-05T13:15:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-22T16:27:00.000Z - Description: A consumer checklist for major purchases: decide what you want and can afford, research the seller and product, gather several price quotes, verify licenses, check complaint records, get warranties and return policies in writing, and consider paying by credit card. - Author: Food Consumer - Tags: Advisories, Politics, #vivvo-import Avoid Buyer’s Remorse with this Helpful Checklist Whether you’re making a large or small purchase, there are a few things you want to think about before you hand over your hard earned money. To make sure you aren’t left with buyer’s remorse, use this checklist before making a purchase: Decide in advance exactly what you want and how much you can afford Do your research. Ask family, friends and others you trust for advice based on their experience. Gather information about the seller and the item or service you are purchasing. Review product test results from consumer experts and comments from past customers. Get advice and price quotes from several sellers. Make sure the seller has all the appropriate licenses. Doctors, lawyers, contractors and other service providers must register with a state or local licensing agency. Check out a company’s complaint record with your local consumer affairs office and Better Business Bureau. Get a written copy of guarantees and warranties. Get the seller’s refund, return and cancellation policies. Ask whom to contact if you have questions or problems. Read and understand any contract or legal document you are asked to sign. Insist that any extra you are promised be put in writing. Consider paying by credit card. If you have a problem you can dispute the charge. Don’t buy on impulse or under pressure. **Before You Buy** Being a smart consumer in a world with so many products and services can be somewhat daunting. With so many options available, it is easy to get overwhelmed with major purchase decisions- from the initial research, visiting stores to look at actual products, and then deciding which item to purchase, there are a lot of factors to consider. Fortunately, the Consumer Action Handbook is here to make the purchasing process easier and help you get the most for your money. Keep reading to learn more about this valuable resource. Do Your Research Before you begin your search for a new product, it is always helpful to assess your needs and what you can realistically afford. Although many companies produce or sell the item that you want, there can be a wide range of features and prices charged for what seems like a very easy purchase. Deciding what you need in advance helps to narrow the focus of your search and avoid paying for bells and whistles that you do not need. In order to know what you should look for, you will need to do some preliminary research. There are a variety of sources of valuable information to consult during this step. Your research can be as simple as talking to trusted family and friends that have bought the same type of product recently or picking up a copy of Consumer Reports for unbiased ratings about the products. More than just the product itself, you should also be concerned about the type of customer service that the manufacturer or retailer has provided. Be sure to contact the Better Business Bureau or your local consumer affairs department to determine if any other consumers have filed a complaint against the companies you may possibly work with on your purchase. Ready, Set, Shop Once you have done your basic research, it’s time to start shopping. This could mean reading the sales flyers in the newspaper to get an understanding of the price ranges for the products you are looking for. If you are making a purchase that requires financing, such as a car or home, you may also want get a free copy of your credit report to see if you can qualify for a favorable interest rate. You should now go and look at actual models in person. It may be helpful to take along the wishlist and your budget to keep you focused on your requirements for the item you choose. Keep in mind that there will be sales support on hand in the store; ask them to clarify facts, definitions, or other technical details rather than considering them as your advocate. Remain committed to your initial research and budget so you can avoid making an impulse decision or being pressured by sales staff to buy something that is more expensive than you need. Once you have narrowed down the field to the item that you want and can afford, be sure to ask about service, return and refund policies, other fees, and the manufacturer warranties. If possible get all of the company’s policies and procedures in writing. Some companies offer extended warranties or service contracts for your purchases. Before agreeing to purchase this additional coverage, ask yourself questions such as: Who manages the warranty (the manufacturer, the seller, or a third party)? How is this coverage different from the manufacturer’s product warranty? How are claims handled? Drip Pricing Have you ever planned to make a purchase, only to find out that there are additional, sometimes mandatory, fees that weren’t included in the advertised price? The total cost is not revealed until the end of the purchasing process. If so, you have been the victim of drip pricing. This practice makes it difficult for consumers to determine the full cost and compare similar options, when all the fees aren’t disclosed up front. You can protect yourself by reading the policies before completing the sale and asking questions of sales personnel. Also, if you have charged your purchase on your credit card, you may be able to dispute the extra fees if they are more than you had agreed to with the seller.