In buying things or whatever..What is the best advice you have gotten?

[Stuart G]

Last edited Tue Dec 19, 2017, 09:27 AM - Edit history (1)

Perhaps we can pass around information.....

For me, buy way ahead of time, then you can search around, and you are not hurried into purchasing anything.

[Adsos Letter]

1. Don't buy for status. n/t

[Sneederbunk]

2. Look for the union label.

[fierywoman]

3. Does it spark joy? Immediate gut reaction.

If not, skip it. Also: is it a want or a need?

[crazycatlady]

4. Wait 24 hours

Unless it is essential (ie food). If you really want it, come back (or click back) in 24 hours. Cuts down on impulse purchasing.

(I do this both at brick and mortar stores and online. My Amazon shopping cart frequently has items in it due to this rule).

[Stuart G]

5. Thank YOu....this one is especially good for me.. no text..

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

6. When buying a car, whether new or used,

look at the total price and divide by the number of miles you expect to drive it. That will give you a per mile cost. This obviously does not include cost of gas or servicing, but it's an excellent rough estimate as to the value of that car.

Got that from my late brother-in-law some years back, and I still make use of that when purchasing a car.

[Kali]

7. in a store

put it in your cart and carry it around for a while then think about it. most of the time you realize you don't really want or need it.

for electronics - things are so freaking amazing most of us will NEVER use any of the extra features - just buy whatever is on sale, they all work for what you are going to use it for (phones, cameras, laptops, entertainment things)

[Lochloosa]

8. Read reviews from people that have actually bought it.

You would be surprised at how many things you won't buy.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

11. You won't buy anything. Lol.

[TexasBushwhacker]

9. On electronics - never buy the latest and greatest

It will go one sale for half as much in a year.

When deciding on what model of car to buy, call your insurance provider and find out how much the insurance will be for the model you want to buy. Some cars are VERY popular with thieves and will cost more to insure. Also check the safety rating at

https://www.nhtsa.gov

Similar car models can have wildly different safety ratings.

[flotsam]

10. Use Amazon even if you don't buy amazon

If you know what you are looking for you can check who makes it with the features you want and find a good market price. Once you find a product to purchase, if it is available at amazon you can read reviews from others that already bought one.

[defacto7]

12. Support local business.

Cost isn't everything, but your neighbors are. Service and social interaction is better for us than kissing a computer screen all day.

My opinion... never buy Amazon, it's becoming a monopoly. Never buy from Walmart, they don't take care of their employees. Always be aware of the political standing of the store you buy from comparing their support of their staff and their political contributions.

Finally, for the sake of sanity there are occasional exceptions to the above. Don't tear your hair out over it just be informed and purchase wisely.

[brush]

13. Never ever ever buy a new car. Buy a pre-owned car from the dealer and also buy a new car...

warranty package to go with it.

The pre-owned dealer cars are coming off a lease of a year or two and have been maintained by the dealer. They also detail the pre-owed vehicles to like new condition.

So you're buying essentially a like new car for half the price, plus, as you don't incur the horrendous but unavoidable devaluation every new car buyer suffers as soon as they drive their formerly new car off the lot.

[seaglass]

15. Yes, whoever buys my leased car will get a good deal. 2 years 2 mos into the lease and I've only

put on 16K miles.

[lastlib]

14. "You get what you pay for....

...and you pay for what you get." --my grandfather.

If you buy junk, you may save money at the point of purchase, but it may cost you more down the road when it falls apart, or can't do what you need it to. Quality may cost more now, but may save you more later, and it may be worth the difference in price.