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Consumer Tips

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Don't Let a Gift Certificate Gather Dust

Got a gift certificate for the holidays? Use it, says the Bucks County Office of Consumer Protection.

Q. I received some wonderful gift certificates during the holiday season from my family. I noticed that none of them expire anytime soon so I am planning a day of pampering and shopping for myself on my birthday in July. Is there any reason that I should not wait and use them sooner? C.C. Pipersville   A. The staff at the Bucks County Consumer Protection office would encourage all of our consumers who received gift certificates, especially over the holiday season, to go out and enjoy them as soon as they are able. Although they may not be nearing their expiration date, there could be an even bigger concern with those gift certificates. We have received calls from many consumers who held onto their certificates and, when they decided to use…

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Holiday Shopping Tips

The Bucks County Office of Consumer Protection warns shoppers to avoid some common mistakes during this holiday season.

During the holiday season, consumers are busy visiting family and friends, and gift shopping. Our office would like to remind Bucks County residents of a few consumer-related holiday tips to make your experience a pleasant one. First, do your research. Comparison shop for the best price, and find out all you can about an item before you purchase it. Bring your research and advertisement with you to the store to avoid any discrepancy. Know the refund policy of the merchant you are buying from. Retail stores in Pennsylvania are permitted to set their own refund and exchange policies.  Make sure you know the store’s policy.  If you do not see it clearly spelled out, ask. And remember to always read the fine print. When making purchases, keep …

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