Smart holiday shopping: spot real deals and avoid regrets

(NC) The holiday deals are everywhere, but not all are worth it. Before you hit “buy,” here’s how to spot honest savings, avoid pressure sales, and make sure your new tech or services are really worth the price.

Do your research. Stay confident and in control by looking into what options are available before you go out to buy anything. Going to service provider or retailer websites is a great way to compare different products and packages, as well as compare between providers.

Keep a record of what you find, through notes or even screenshots. This can help you be confident in what exact terms providers are advertising, when it’s time to buy.

Avoid the rush. Another advantage to researching in advance is that you’ll probably know what you want before any shopping rushes start. Many providers have early bird pricing, and many offer extended deals after rush periods die down.

Review everything, before and after purchase. Always review the service documents before agreeing to anything, to avoid running into surprises later. If any of the information is unclear, ask questions.

Some important things to check:

• Early termination fees and how they're calculated.
• The details of any device financing plans.
• If the listed price is a time-limited promotion or discount, and what the regular price is.
• If the terms of service let your provider increase prices or add service charges.

Know your rights. Remember that you also have the right to a trial period when buying wireless services. As long as you haven’t used more than half your monthly usage, you can cancel your contract and return the device without penalty within 15 days.

Once your service starts, check your contracts and bills to make sure they match what you agreed to. If they don’t, you can reach out to your service provider to fix the problem.

If your provider doesn’t resolve the issue to your satisfaction, you still have options. You can lodge a complaint with the Commission for Complaints for Telecom-Television Services (CCTS). They’re an independent agency that handles unresolved wireless, TV and internet service issues from thousands of Canadians each year.

Learn more about resolving complaints with telecom providers at letsstayconnected.ca.

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How to make the most of deals on tech

(NC) When service providers offer great-sounding deals on wireless, internet or TV services, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement. Avoid making a purchase decision you may regret by following some simple tips: