Busy shoppers..lets not get carried away

In the heat of battle so to speak ...mall shopping....we can get carried away with the sales and advertising....and the Christmas music blasting from the speakers...and the children lined up to get their pictures with Santa.... and get home and find ourselves in a daze with a mountain of packages, not remembering where we got where or even how much we paid. Vicki Lee Parker or the Raleigh News and Observer writes:
During this season, let's not forget what's important for the holiday shopper- being a smart consumer.
The last thing you want after the glitz and lights come down is to realize that you have over-spent, racked up major credit card debt or forgotten to keep the receipt for a sweater that doesn't fit. Without a receipt, you might get store credit-if you remember where you bought it- but forget about getting cash back.
To avoid such headaches, here are a few things that savvy shoppers should keep in mind over the next few weeks.

• Hold on to all receipts, including those for gift cards. These can come in handy if the person loses the card. Pass along the gift receipts to your friends and family.
  
• Consumer Reports is again warning consumers to avoid paying extra for extended warranties. The magazine says that most extended warranties are a waste of money, because they are overpriced and because products rarely break within the three- year period that most cover. There are exceptions to the rule. For example, Consumer Reports suggests that shoppers buy warranties on rear-projection TVs and Apple computers.
  
• When you make purchases with a coupon, pay close attention to the excluded items that are usually listed in small print at the bottom or back of the coupon. It's no fun to get to the cash register and learn that that wonderful gift you spent 20 minutes picking out is not covered by the 20 percent coupon.
  
• Earn more coupons and discounts by completing a free registration on your favorite store's Web site. Many stores offer a one-time discount for signing up . Afterward, they will mail you coupons and other information about specials.
  
• Pay attention to expiration dates on coupons and gift cards. During the holidays, if you make a purchase many retailers will give you a discount coupon to use toward your next purchase. Often, those discounts are good for a limited time.
  
• Remember to ask stores about return policies. Specifically, you want to know: How long will you have to return an item for a full refund? How long do you have to get a store credit? Is there a restocking fee? Will you need a receipt to return the item or is your information saved on the store's computer system? If you make a purchase from a mall kiosk, find out how long the business will be set up in the mall and what its return policy is beyond that date.
  
• Finally, remember, the holidays are the busy season for criminals. Be extra careful about entering your PIN and using your credit card. Periodically check your credit card balances to make sure they match your records. You can call the toll-free number on the back of your card or check your account online. Review your monthly statements closely to make sure you recognize all of the purchases.
  

So, if we are attentive to all these rules for the malls we hopefully will have a little fun..get some bargains and really enjoy this season of giving. Happy shopping!!