Before making any purchase it is always worth considering;
- Is what I'm about to buy what I'm really looking for?
- Can I afford it?
- How am I going to pay – cheque, cash, credit card or in some other way? If the goods cost more than £100 it may be worth paying by credit card so that you are protected under the Consumer Credit Act by both the seller and the credit provider having equal liability. Be aware that you will incur interest charges if you do not settle your account before the due date
- Should I shop around to compare prices or after-sales service deals?
- Is this an impulse buy that I will regret?
Once you have made your decision to make a purchase it is worth shopping around for the best deal. Price comparisons are now easier than ever as many suppliers detail their products and prices on their websites. However, price is not the only consideration when shopping for goods and services.
- Do you have specific requirements of size, weight, usage or durability?
- What are the costs of any servicing or consumable goods?
- Are replacement parts easily available?
- Is after-sales support available?
Charges for utilities can vary considerably between providers so it may be worthwhile comparing prices from time to time as considerable savings can be made. Energy Watch has a price comparison service to help consumers find the best deal for gas and electricity users.
Financial products such as mortgages and insurances are also very competitively priced. Again it may save a substantial sum of money to shop around. It is not as difficult as it sounds to change provider.
Bank account interest rates and charges do vary not only between banks but your current bank may even have an account more suited to your needs. It may be worthwhile checking your accounts to make sure that you are receiving the best interest rates and not being charged over the odds for your current account services.
The “Which – Switch with Which” website can help consumers to find the most suitable financial services providers for their specific needs.