Follow these smart shopping tips to enhance your shopping experience:

Tips for smart shopping by phone or mail

Shopping by phone or mail can be a convenient and satisfactory way to shop for goods. Many marketers provide toll-free ordering and quick delivery. However, as with any type of transaction, there are still things you should keep in mind.

When ordering:

• Shop around and compare costs and services.
• Deal only with companies or charities whose reputation and integrity are known.
• Don’t be pressured into acting immediately or without the full information you need.
• Before ordering, check the company’s return policy.
• Always keep a record of the name, address and phone number of the company, goods you ordered, date of your purchase, amount you paid (including shipping and handling), and method of payment.
• Never give out your credit card number or personal, financial or employment information unless you know with whom you are dealing.
• Keep a record of any delivery that was promised.
• If you are told that the shipment will be delayed, write the date of that notice in your records and the new shipping date, if you’ve agreed to wait longer.
• If merchandise is damaged, contact the company immediately. If you’re asked to return it, get a receipt from the shipper.
• Report all fraudulent activity to your local authorities.

Unsolicited goods:

• You are under no obligation to accept or pay for any merchandise you receive in the mail that you did not order. In most states, when the sender asks for the merchandise back you must return it at the sender’s expense; however, in some states you cannot be required to pay for the goods or services unless you agreed to do so in writing. To complain about unsolicited goods, contact your local consumer protection agency.