The Shop Cop - Jennifer Litwin

As featured on ABC7 Chicago.

While you are resting up from the holiday festivities, you need to start thinking about how and when you will return those unwanted gifts. We’ve all received them. According to the NRF, 80% of all retailers are keeping their return policies from last year, but there are some important changes happening you need to know about when returning gifts or using those gift cards.

TRENDS IN RETURNS

RETAIL STORES:

Good news: Between this year and last year retailers have become more flexible, allowing you with items purchased online to return items directly to the stores. Gift returns are down because more than 75% of the population is giving gift cards. Most retail stores are being more lenient about expiration dates, and eliminating them.

Bad news:

1. The store return lines may be a little long
2. If you try to return your gift without a gift receipt you may not get to return or will only get a portion back
3. Same goes for packaging-keep original packaging, and don’t open anything or else you may only get back 50% in some cases (Amazon and the electronics stores–$16 b in retail losses for one-time users, so very strict this year). Continue reading »

Home shopping expert and Random House author Jennifer Litwin announced five things consumers should consider when shopping for the holiday season. Litwin also researched name brand store credit/gift cards that achieve the biggest bang for the buck for the consumer.

“Holiday shoppers are always thinking about finishing their homes in time for the holidays, accommodating guests, and doing it all on a budget,” said Shop Cop and Random House author Jennifer Litwin.

“What consumers don’t realize when finishing their homes in time for the holidays is the varying degrees of ‘pay for play’ benefits each name brand store credit and gift card will offer when making purchases. Some holiday shoppers may spend just $100 to finish their home while others may spend $10,000; so knowing what store credit/gift cards can save them money and give them great deals can make all the difference in the world.”

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN SHOPPING THIS SEASON:

1. If shopping online, look for free delivery. Many stores are offering free delivery as an incentive. Otherwise, there is typically a charge of about 10% for shipping big ticket items like furniture.
2. Beware of store credit card rebate/savings programs because most only offer a 1-2% savings on the cost of your purchases, but you will still incur financing charges, just as with a typical credit card.
3. If a price seems too good to be true, ask to see an assembly sheet to find out how difficult it will be to actually assemble the piece.
4. Buy gift cards for your loved ones that can be used both in the store and online. Many egift cards can only be used for online purchases, and then merchandise needs to be returned to a non-store location.
5. If making a lot of purchases, try to do it with a store credit card that offers good discounts for large purchases, or free, desirable gifts.

Continue reading »

As Featured in Money Magazine

Sweden’s IKEA is already the world’s largest furniture retailer, with $31 billion in sales in zoo7. But it’s still in growth mode this side of Stockholm, with 35 U.S. Outposts and four more planned in the next two years. It doesn’t matter how lofty your tastes: If you live near an IKEA, the store’s low-price and high-style wares will draw you in eventually, for your kid’s dorm, a basement or a second home. Once there, expect to be the target of marketing more psychologically complex than the complete works of Ingmar Bergman. Here’s how to emerge without having spent a single krona more than planned.

Continue reading »