'The best consumer advice I ever got'

[Playinghardball]

Source: Consumer Reports (August 2011 issue)

Follow these top tips from readers and staffers and you'll be the wiser

Before you travel abroad, learn how to say "Is there a discount?" in the native language.

It's worth what you're willing to pay.

When you have a complaint, pretend you're the supervisor. Remain calm and walk the customer-service person through the process of solving your problem.

From my grandmother: Before you buy it, you're the boss. After you buy it, they're the boss.

Never ever pay full retail.

When you're faced with out-of-pocket medical costs after your insurer has paid its share, contact the health-care provider's billing office to negotiate a lower amount for the remaining fees. You can negotiate a discount of 50 percent, especially if you agree to pay it all off immediately.

Shop at warehouse clubs. We've saved a fortune.

More at: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine-archive/2011/august/shopping/best-consumer-advice/overview/index.htm

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Any more top tips?

[Nay]

1. 1. Stop thinking that your happiness depends on crap you buy -- and

if your friends don't like you after you don't have the latest crap, they weren't your friends in the first place.

2. Don't EVER let shopping become a "hobby" or "a way to pass the time." Go read a book or collect butterflies, or something.

[Odin2005]

6. Don't EVER let shopping become a "hobby" or "a way to pass the time." +1,000,000!!!

:applause:

[Warpy]

2. It also helps to go someplace twice. Chat people up the first time

and when they see you the second time, the price goes down. That's as true here in the US as it is in any other country if you're shopping in informal places like stalls instead of stores.

I always get medical discounts because I've been uninsured since 1987 and I've learned to say the four magic words* as my first. Doctors have been great, hospitals have been decent, and pharmacies are recalcitrant. I don't get the steep discount that the insurance giants do, but it certainly helps when they knock up to 50% off the price.

Even though buying online is damaging bricks and mortar stores, I do buy online a lot because it's so much cheaper. However, watch those shipping and handling charges--small items are usually cheaper if you to go a store.

Food in bulk bins is always cheaper than food in tidy packages and boxes. Shop early to get marked down meats. Don't bother with marked down fish unless you're planning to cook it wrapped in parchment with onions, peppers, tomato, and plenty of garlic. Then plan to open the windows for an hour after.

There are a lot of ways to save and most of them require asking and not much more.


*"I have no insurance."

[Kolesar]

3. Don't have hobbies where you "have to keep spending money"

Greens fees, flying lessons, etc. If you buy a bicycle, you are done spending money when you buy it.

[Aerows]

4. If you are lucky enough to live near the beach

once you buy the bathing suit you are done spending money, and that pair of running shoes? Probably SAVES you money for health care costs. Not to mention, painting, writing and making music are things that could eventually pay YOU if you are diligent enough.

Got to totally agree with you there. Gardening and cooking are also fun hobbies that have a return on investment.

[Cowpunk]

8. Gosh, I wish that were true

My bicycling hobby is currently costing me thousands in doctor bills and lost income, and my bike isn't even paid for yet. Oh well, there's always the library.

[Odin2005]

5. Quit buying cheap consumerist crap on impulse that you will never use

Seriously, some of these things are used a few times and them people get bored and move on to the next "OOH, SHINY" that comes along.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

7. You don't "save" money when you spend it for things that are on "sale".

You're still out the 50%, or whatever %, you paid.

[KaylaSativa]

9. Sign this Petition for Food NOT Bombs! It'll literally only take a couple seconds.

Greetings,

I just signed the following petition addressed to: The President, Congress.

----------------
Tell The President to trade in military materials for Human Necessities

To save the world from war and famine. It's worth a shot, no matter how small MY voice is, as long as there is some form of an echo. This is an effort to feed, clothe, educate, and caregive for EVERYONE ON EARTH. Not ONE person excluded. If you feel that we are all equal and deserve these basic human needs, please sign the petition and help get this ball rolling, to see where it leads us...

"I had a vision of a way we could have no enemies ever again, if you're interested in this. Anybody interested in hearing this?
It's kind of an interesting theory, and all we have to do is make one decisive act and we can rid the world of all our enemies at once.
Here's what we do. You know all that money we spend on nuclear weapons and defense every year? Trillions of dollars.
Instead, if we spent that money feeding and clothing the poor of the world, which it would pay for many times over,
not one human being excluded ... not one ... we could as one race explore inner and outer space together in peace, forever."- Bill Hicks, Comedian, December 16th, 1961 - February 26th, 1994
----------------

Sincerely,
Kayla DeGunya

GO HERE TO SIGN:

http://www.change.org/petitions/the-president-congress-tell-the-president-to-trade-in-military-materials-for-human-necessities


PLEASE PASS IT ON

[anamandujano]

11. WHAT ABOUT THE WAR PROFITEERS!!!111!!!!

Have you no compassion?



The policy espoused would solve the world's problems but do we still think any of our politicians, save the obvious few, would be able to stifle their laughter?

[hunter]

10. Don't be a consumer.

It's easy when you don't have any spare change.

When I go on a consumer binge, it's a six pack of good beer and a bag of potato chips.

I'm also fond of olive oil.

If I want something bad enough, I'm patient. Eventually it will show up in a thrift store for a few dollars or on a curb somewhere with a "FREE" sign on it.

Or else I make what I want. I can make lots of stuff, and I can repair or repurpose broken discarded stuff.

I think the "developed" world needs to slow down. Let's get everyone a comfortable place to live, good food, good schools, and good medical care. Let our "consumer goods" be beautiful artistic things that last a long time, are easily repurposed, or are easily recycled in any compost heap.

Whenever I see something reviewed in a "consumer" magazine or advertised in the popular media I figure I don't need it.

When I must drive, I enjoy my beat up old cars.

Maybe I'd be different if I had a few million dollars in the bank with more money on the way, but I hope not.