Buyer Beware

Stop, before you make that next purchase

I'm a retailer, but I am also a consumer. I love a bargain just like the next person. Shopping for bargains is fun and also relieving, to know that you are are smart-shopping. But what happens when you shop for a bargain that is nothing but a scam? It doesn't feel so relieving. Instead, it feels as if you have stepped into a nightmare.

How can you avoid being scammed? I have to tell you that I can't promise you that you never will be in your lifetime, but there are some things you can do.

• Ask questions. Don't be timid in this area. Reputable companies must be registered in their cities/states. All companies must hold a license that allows them to operate in their prospective states. Contact your local business regulator to check the legal status of a business you are interested in.
• Search your Better Business Bureau database for more information on the business. Not all businesses will be registered with BBB, so don't let this deter you. You can use other measures to find out the information you need about business besides using BBB. Business Owners: You can become a BBB member, but please know there is a registration fee.
• Search RipOffReport.com's Database. This is an open forum that people go to in order to share their experiences with not so reputable companies, or companies they feel deal in unfair practices.

If all checks out, still use precaution. The business may be reputable, but every business has employees, even if it is a sole proprietorship. You will be dealing with real people. There should be a mutual relationship between buyer and seller, business and consumer. But it doesn't always work quite that way. Some people are just really out to make a buck. They have no realization that people are the reason they are making their money in the first place. If they mistreat their customers, the customer has the freedom and every right to go elsewhere. Businesses who put customer service last on their list, should really rethink this method. Without the customer, you have no business. Treat them right, and they will come back. Mistreat them and lose business and loyalty. Plus they may just tell everybody to steer clear of you.
This should be a no-brainer for business owners, but apparently this is not taught in most business schools. You have to learn that morals are a part of character. It would be such a shame to work so hard to market a business to only find that your customers are running away because of your immoral business practices. Take that into consideration. If your business school doesn't teach morals and ethics, then you better go elsewhere to learn them quickly. Quite frankly, you are wasting your money going to a school, who does not teach you these things. If you really think knowledge and money is what it takes to run a business, you will find that your business will fail quickly. Consumers look far beyond your sales, your store layout, and your smooth talking. They look at how you treat them. Yes, they really do.

In closing, this post was created to help you be aware, not to live in suspicion, and to help my fellow busines owners along the way. Consumers, shop freely, but be informed and vigilant. There are scammers out there who make their living off of other people by deception. They do not have your best interest at heart. So, buyer beware.

Thanks for blogging with me. Feel free to add your comments below. Until later; take care of yourself and yourself will take care of you