Take the Consumer Challenge:
The Champion Cheapskate Test

Are you a savvy consumer? Take this quick 21 question Consumer Challenge and find out:

1. Do you take advantage of FREEBIES: free things, samples, free price checking, coupons (get free coupons), first-time customer perks, money, bill reducers, free services that pay (surveys), software, frequent flyer miles, registration services, rebates, meal planning tips, calendars, Internet access (deals), portals, websites, gift ideas, etc.?

2. Are you leveraging your buying power with others and pooling your money in co-ops?

3. When is the last time you searched your closets, attic, basement, drawers, cabinets, storage areas and shed for hidden treasures and long forgotten essentials?

4. Would you rather spend money (buy) OR barter, swap & exchange and use the 5 R's (Repair, Restore, Reuse, Reduce, Recycle)?

5. Do you volunteer, test-taste, test drive, answer surveys, etc.?

6. Are you careful about the personal information you reveal and to whom you reveal it?

7. Do you examine and read everything carefully before you act, especially the fine print? Or are you a frequent victim that's scammed, crammed and slammed?

8. How well do you know your Consumer Rights? Really? (for more ask a Watchdog)

9. When you buy something what is your preferred method of payment credit card, cash, check, e-cash, debit card, PayPal or Western Union? Why? You know the advantages and disadvantages of each option, right?

10. Buy, rent or lease? Why? You know the advantages and disadvantages of each option, right?

11. You learn refund and return policies before you complete transactions, don't you?

    
    

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12. Do you investigate companies, products and services before you buy?

13. Do you ask friends, family and associates for product and service recommendations and referrals?

14. Are you selling or donating (tax write-off) unwanted goods instead of throwing them away? (for more see surplus selling)

15. You trust advertising and salespeople, don't you? (for more see trust)

16. Do you get all claims, warranties and guarantees in writing?

17. Do you shop at the right places (online, discount warehouses, buyers clubs, auctions, flea markets, mail order, discount stores?

18. Are you getting discounts, negotiating and comparison shopping? (for more use price checkers)

19. Do you shop at the right time (sales, specials, seasons, cycles, etc.)? OR Do you buy on whims and invest on rumors from unknown sources?

20. You know what sellers pay (dealer cost) and their typical mark ups, don't you?

21. If you feel you were wronged, ripped off or taken advantage of do you complain LOUDLY, to the right sources? (for more contact consumer champions)

Why not?

How did you do? E-mail me.

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Bonus Questions

• If you buy a product that has a rebate do you always send it in (and get your money!)? OR Do you do exactly what merchants are counting on you to do?

  Is it worth the time and effort to clip, stamp and send in rebate forms? Some people forget about it. Others don't follow rebate directions to the letter. What do you do?

  Rebates attract attention and will likely not be redeemed. That's why companies offer them to you instead of a lower "sale" price. Yeah, that's right, you don't save money if you buy products with a rebate (or BECAUSE of one!) and don't cash it in.

  . . . then there are the hoops some companies make you jump through to get your rebate. Keep a copy (originals) of all paperwork. Follow directions carefully. Follow up until you get the rebate. Listen carefully to any follow up instruction such as going back to the store and faxing forms to the manufacturer. Recent problems many companies have had with rebates has forced them to alter or remove their rebate programs.

  Save yourself a potential headache and buy only what you need.

• What about products with a 30 Day Low Price Guarantee?

  Do you call the company's bluff by actively or passively seeking out a lower price? OR Do you assume that since they claim to have the lowest price they must?. . .

Learn the secrets of Negotiation, Barter and Swap & Exchange. Know YOUR rights. Come out $1000s ahead - be a savvy value-oriented consumer. . . Get your Tightwad Tips.

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