Consumer Tips: After You Buy
Even careful buyers can run into problems after a purchase. To minimize them, follow these steps after you buy:
- Save all papers that come with your purchase. Keep all contracts, sales receipts, canceled checks, owner's manuals and warranty documents.
- Read and follow product and service instructions. The way you use or take care of a product might affect your warranty rights.
- You may be able to get a refund for the difference if the price of the item you bought has decreased within a certain number of days.
- Find out how to dispute a purchase, based on if you paid with cash, credit, or a mobile app or payment device. If you paid using an app connected to your credit or debit card, then you can dispute any purchase, just like any other credit card purchase.
Returns
Sometimes you may need to return an item to a retailer. Most retailers allow you to make returns, within a set number of days after purchase. You may be required to have the receipt, the item and any packaging.
Refunds are normally given in the same form of payment that was used to buy the item. If you don't have a receipt, the store may give you a gift card instead. A store may charge you a restocking fee if you return electronics or appliances.
If you return to a physical store, the customer service staff may ask to see and swipe your driver's license. This allows the store access to your personal information, such as your address, birth date and driver's license number. This action can put your personal information at risk. Ask if this step is necessary to process your refund.
To return an item you bought online, find out if you can return it to the retailer's physical store that is near you. If that's not possible, check the website to find out if return shipping is free, and use the return labels provided. If you bought items with a gift card and need to make multiple returns, the gift card issuer may flag the card for fraud and lock it, so that it can't be used.
U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). (2016, January). After you buy. In Consumer action handbook (p. 5). Retrieved December 2, 2016, from https://www.usa.gov/