Who We Are

Attor= ney=20 General
Tom Miller Office=20 Directory

What We Do

F= ighting=20 Crime= Helping=20 Victims of Crime Working=20 for Farmers Protecting=20 the Environment Raising=20 Child Support Awareness Representing=20 State Government Issuing=20 Attorney General Opinions Enforcing=20 Tobacco Laws Protecting=20 Utility Customers

Resources

F= ile=20 a Consumer Complaint = Other=20 Complaint Resources N= ews=20 Releases & Publications = Legal=20 Resources Jobs=20 & Internships Conta= ct=20 Us

Consumer Advisory Bulletin-December = 2008

Consumer Tips for Holiday=20 Shoppers

The holiday shopping season is by far the busiest time of = year=20 for most shoppers and retail stores -- and the season also = generates=20 more than its share of consumer problems. Why? Most likely, = it=92s=20 because of the sheer volume of purchases, because many = consumers are=20 in a rush, and because people will make more gift returns = and=20 exchanges than during other seasons. It=92s a very important = time to=20 be a smart shopper.

How to avoid consumer = problems:

Buying = Online: Be sure=20 to shop with reputable companies. Make sure the seller lists = an=20 address or toll-free number, just in case you have a = problem. Be=20 sure purchases are refundable in case you are not satisfied. = Get all=20 details on shipping and handling fees, refund and return = policies,=20 and complaint procedures. Print out and keep records of your = purchase. Use only =93secure=94 web sites. Pay by credit = card (not by=20 check or debit card) so you can dispute the bill if = necessary. Find=20 more tips on =93Web=94 shopping at http://www.state.ia.us/gov= ernment/ag/=20 (click on =93consumer protection=94), or at http= ://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt082.shtm.

Returns=20 and =93layaways=94:Be sure to know a store's = policy on=20 returns and layaways before you make a purchase, especially = in these=20 times of tighter credit. Remember, there is no state = law=20 that requires stores to give a refund, exchange, or credit = for=20 merchandise returned or taken off layaway -- --=20 unless the store advertises that it accepts = such=20 returns and refunds. (Consumers also may seek a refund, = exchange or=20 credit if an article is defective or was misrepresented.) = Remember,=20 Iowa's three-day-right-to-cancel law only applies to = door-to-door=20 sales, or sales made away from a seller's usual place of = business.=20 In short, most refund and layaway policies are up to = individual=20 retailers.

Receipts. = Always=20 keep receipts. Most stores will not make refunds = without=20 them

Mail orders: If you order = gifts by mail=20 or telephone or over the Internet, you have certain = protections.=20 Federal law requires the seller to ship your purchase within = thirty=20 days, unless the offer or advertisement specifies a later = date. If=20 there is a delay, the seller must notify you, give you a = chance to=20 cancel your order, and send a full refund if you choose to = cancel.=20 Don=92t send cash. The safest way to pay for mail order = purchases is=20 by credit card.

Gift=20 Cards and certificates: If you're thinking of buying a gift = card,=20 check the store's policy. Find out if the store will give a = credit=20 or cash return if the purchase price is less than the value = of the=20 gift card or certificate, and check any other terms on the = card.

To file a complaint or get more information, contact the = Consumer=20 Protection Division, Hoover Bldg., Des Moines, IA 50319. = Call=20 515-281-5926, or toll-free at 1-888-777-4590. On the web: http://www.state.ia.us/gov= ernment/ag/.=20 Have a wonderful holiday season.

Return=20 to Consumer=20 Advisories

State of=20 Iowa Privacy = StatementTran= slationPDF=20 Reader