CLICKFIRST

What you don’t know can hurt you; especially when money is involved. In our fast paced society their is no quicker way to lose money then to spend it willingly with someone or on something that you ultimately determine you didn’t need, doesn’t work or was simply a bad buying decision.

While you will never be able to ensure you won’t be disappointed with a product, service or an investment decision you can certainly minimize your financial risk. How? Knowledge! A knowledgeable consumer is the best defense from fraud and deception and the best way to prevent losing money.  Acquiring knowledge doesn’t have to be a long and painfully process. In fact in very short order the process of acquiring relevant consumer knowledge should become second nature. We should condition ourselves to think before we act, to trust our own judgment and use the tools available to educate ourselves before we purchase or invest.

Where do you start?
   
First, define your objectives. When considering any purchase or investment consider carefully what you are trying to accomplish. Clearly defining your objective will enable you to identify what needs to be accomplished to ultimately reach that objective. How much money do you have to spend? How much time do you have to work on the project? What is your time frame for accomplishing the task? How much do you know or think you know about what you are trying to accomplish?

Once you have identified your objectives you can create a plan for implementation. It can be as simple as getting in the car and driving to the corner store to purchase a product to hiring professional consultants to help you evaluate your plan or idea. 

Consumer satisfaction can be generally described as a series of actions and events that ultimately leads to an acceptable conclusion. If you want to win the lottery you must at least purchase a lottery ticket. If you want to purchase a house you think is “perfect” you have to have to know your definition of “perfect”; how far is the house from the grocery store; the mall; from work; from schools; from the fire station? How old is the roof? Can the neighbors build a sky scrapper next door?  The more knowledge you have the more likely you are to successfully reach your objective which ultimately means satisfaction with the product you bought, the service you used or the investment you made.    

Ask Questions
  
The next step; ask questions. There is no such thing as a stupid question! Every day in the media “experts” debate issues. There is almost never a single right or wrong answer to any consumer related question. Your definition of the perfect automobile is probably different from that of your neighbors. Start with the basics; do you know anyone who has purchased the product or service in the past? Do you know anyone who is selling the product or service? Do you know anyone who knows anyone that might be able to help you? Are their any common scams or frauds associate with the product or service? What does the product or service generally cost? Are their different variations of the product or service? What are the differences? Do you need a license to sell the product or service?

Once you have answered some of the more basic questions you can then begin to more specifically focus your investigation. What are the specific product or service variations?What are the price differences? What is the experience level and qualifications of the vendor selling the product or service?  What specific needs do you have that will ensure your purchase of the product, service or investment will be satisfactory?                   

Take action

Nobody is perfect. No vendor or sales person has all the answers or knows everything there is to know about a product or service. So don’t rely on one source for all your product or service questions. Contact different vendors and industry experts and listen to what they have to say about the product, service or investment you are considering. Research government and consumer guides related to the specific product or service. Contact the Better Business Bureau to see if the vendor has unresolved consumer complaints. If the vendor needs a license to operate, contact the state licensing bureau to see if the license is current or has complaints filed against it. Contact your states department of consumer affairs and see if they have any registered complaints. Contact references and read consumer testimonials related to the business and/or their product or service. Contact other businesses doing business with the vendor. Learn about the vendor you are considering doing business with and develop a relationship with that vendor.

Be alert. If it doesn’t feel right...it probably isn’t. If it seems too good to be true...it probably is. Develop relationships. Gather as much information as you can and ask yourself... does this make sense?  Always think before you act. Click First before you purchase or invest. 

Use members of The Consumer Advocate Network to help you. They are merchants dedicated to customer service and consumer protection and have provided a basis from which you may begin your due diligence investigations.