When shopping for Christmas gifts consumers usually compare prices to save money. Yet another equally important factor to consider is the product warranty.

A warranty is a promise by the manufacturer or seller to stand behind the product. It may be written, implied, or verbal.

The law gives consumers the right to read the written warranty before purchase, if the product cost is more than $15. The warranty must be easy to read and understand, with all terms and conditions spelled out.

Not all products have written warranties. If you buy a product "as is," that means the seller is not responsible for any problem or repairs.

There are two types of written warranties: full and limited.

Full Warranty

The full warranty will include the word FULL on the warranty. This means that a defective product will be repaired or replaced in a reasonable time after you complain. It also means that you will not have to do anything unreasonable to get this service, such as packing and shipping the product to some remote location for repairs. A full warranty is good for anyone who owns the product during the warranty period. That is, if you give the product s a gift or later sell the product, the unexpired portion of the warranty is transferred.

Check any full warranty to see exactly what is covered. The full warranty may cover only a part of the product. An example of this would be a full warranty on the picture tube of your new television. If the sound goes bad, in this example, you would pay for repairs.

Limited Warranty

Limited warranties differ from full warranties. Limited means something is missing. A limited warranty may cover parts but not labor. It may offer a prorated refund, not a full refund. It might be limited to the first purchaser only and the customer may be charged for returning the product to a service center for repairs.

Implied Warranties

Implied warranties are rights created by state law. The most common implied warranty is the warranty of merchantability. This means that the seller promises the product will do what it is designed to do, that is the toaster will make toast, a reclining chair will recline. The seller can usually get out of an implied warranty by stating in writing, that no warranty is provided. Beware of purchasing products, which have written statements of "no warranty given." Yet, implied warranties may give you some protection that written warranties don't.

Similar to implied warranties are spoken promises or advertising claims. These are considered to be warranties. You have a legal right to get what the company promises.

One of the last things to check when comparing warranties is the policy covering consequential damages. That is, if you buy a freezer, the freezer goes out and $500 in food spoils before something can be done about the freezer, will the warranty cover the repair only, or repair or replacement of the freezer and the food?

Once you have made your purchase, keep the warranty and the sales receipt in a safe place. You will need the receipt to show date of purchase and price paid for the product if you need to file a warranty claim.

For more information on warranties or the place to store warranties and other important papers contact your local county Extension office.

Have you ever searched the toy stores looking for the latest toys on your niece, nephew, grandchild, or child’s Santa list? If you are able to find the toy, a part is missing; it’s broken or must have batteries. According to the financial management specialist at the University of Florida’s IFAS Cooperative Extension, a better idea is to give a financial-related gift. A gift that teaches the importance of sound financial management can provide valuable lessons that will serve kids for years to come.

Experience is a great teacher when it comes to teaching children about savings and investing. For a school-age child or teenager, one or more shares of stock in a company that makes the “got-to-have” item the child wants can provide a meaningful gift and a valuable education. You can supplement the gift with a lesson on how to track the stock’s performance in the newspaper or on line.

Children can not purchase or own stocks in his or her own name but you can purchase the shares in your name or through a custodial account set up under the Uniform Transfers to Minor Act or Uniform Gift to Minor’s Act. The investment is held in the adult’s name in custody for the child until he or she reaches age the age of majority (18 in Florida).

It may be expensive to purchase less than a round lot (100 shares) in a company, but there are some companies that will sell you their stock directly, that is without a broker, thereby eliminating a brokerage fee. There are also Divide Reinvestment Plans (DRIPS) that permit current stockholders to purchase additional stock from the company without a broker. One Share of Stock, Inc. sells single shares of stock in certificate form that can be framed. There are more than 90 companies listed including companies such as Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Gap and other companies children may know.

Some companies offer mutual funds geared to children. These funds invest in child-friendly companies and send the young investor educational materials that teach them about investing. These plans typically accept lower minimum opening deposits and target long-term growth.

Of course, there are U.S. Savings Bonds. The Series EE Bonds remain one of the safest investments and there is never a fee for buying or redeeming them. Paper bonds may be purchased at half of their face value in denominations as low as $50 and federal income taxes on earnings may be deferred until the savings bond matures or is redeemed. These bonds may be purchased at your local financial institution or on line at the U.S. Savings Bonds website.

You can also find books, videos, and board or computer games that help children learn about savings and investments. Financial management software or a session with a financial planner is an excellent gift for grown or newly married children.

Written by: Dr. Jo Turner, Professor, Family and Consumer Economics

Even though mail order shopping has advantages, complaints about mail order shopping are common. Complaints include failure of companies to deliver, long delivery times, unsatisfactory merchandise, failure to make merchandise exchanges or refunds and failure to respond to consumer questions. The consumer has rights and responsibilities when ordering by mail.

Your Responsibilities

Before placing an order:

• Read the advertisement carefully. Is all needed information provided?
• Find and review the refund and exchange policy of the company. Do they say "Satisfaction Guaranteed," "Unconditional Guarantee" or "You may return an item for prompt refund if you are not completely satisfied?" It is important for you to know that merchandise can be exchanged or returned for a refund.
• Consider the purchase carefully. Do you need and want this item? Could you purchase the same or similar item locally?
• Find out if there is any type of buying plan involved before you decide to place the order. Are you committed to join some kind of buying club, such as a book, record, food, or cosmetic club?

If you have considered all of the above and decided to order by mail:

• Complete the order form according to directions.
• Recheck order form to ensure that you have correctly filled it in. Have you clearly identified merchandise ordered, correct size, color, etc?
• Double-check your address. Is it correct and readable?
• Make a copy of your completed order form and of the advertisement being answered.
• Make a note of the address to which the order is sent.
• Make payments by personal check, cashier's check, money order or credit card. Don't send cash.

Your Rights

You have certain rights when you order by mail. According to a Federal Trade Commission ruling on mail order:

• Merchandise must be shipped within 30 days of receipt of the order or within the time disclosed in the advertisement, or within 50 days if you are applying for credit. If the company cannot deliver merchandise within this period, the company must write you and tell you the expected delivery time and offer to refund your money if you don't want to wait until delivery can be made.
• If merchandise cannot be delivered within the new delivery time the order is automatically cancelled and your money refunded unless you notify the company in writing that you are willing to wait longer.
• If your cancelled order was charged to a credit card, the company has one billing cycle to make the adjustments to your account. If the order was paid with a check or money order, the company has only seven days in which to refund the money. You do not have to accept a refund in the form of "credit" to be used for other merchandise from the company.

Not all mail order purchases are covered by this ruling. Some mail order purchases that are not covered are magazines, seeds, plants, and photo finishing.

If you have not received your order within a reasonable time (over 30 days or the time specified in the advertisement), find out if your check has been cashed. If you don't have the cancelled check, contact the bank to find out if it has been paid. If it has not been paid you may want to place a stop payment on the check and cancel the order. To cancel, write the company telling them that since your check was not cashed the company did not accept the order and that you have stopped payment on your check and canceled the order.

If the check has been cashed, decide whether or not you want the merchandise sent or the money returned. Then write a letter to the company stating your request. If you do not receive the merchandise or a refund within a proper time, file a complaint with the Direct Marketing Association.

DMA Mail Order Action Line
1101 12^th Street North West
Washington, D.C. 20036

Or

Division of Consumer Services
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
407 S. Calhoun Street
Mayo Building
Tallahassee, FL 32399

Or you may file a complaint on line at www.800helpfla.com.

If the mail order problem appears to be fraudulent, contact a postal inspector directly or through your local postmaster. Provide the inspector with all related evidence including a copy of the order, all correspondence, advertisement and even envelopes.

For more information on your rights and responsibilities when ordering by mail contact your local county Extension office.

Dr. Jo Turner, Professor, Family and Consumer Economics

Tight budgets and limited free time can be a source of stress this holiday season. Finding enough money in your budget to make gift giving enjoyable can be a real challenge.

It is possible, however, to cut back on your gift budget and still be a generous gift giver. Remember the old saying "It's the thought that counts, not the price that's paid for the gift."

Don't wait until the last minute when stores are crowded to do your Christmas shopping, when everyone else seems to be shopping. Most department stores make about 25 percent of their annual sales between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Plan ahead, so that you have time to enjoy the traditional pleasures of the Christmas season. Some ideas to trim gift-giving expenses follow:

• Make a Christmas gift list with names, gift ideas and price estimates. Next total the amount you plan to spend. If this figure is more than you can afford, you will need to make some changes.
• List several alternatives for each name on your list, then look for sales in the price range you can afford. Most important -- stick with your plan.
• Check sales for gift items. See newspaper ads and store circulars for gifts you are considering. See which stores are running specials and shop where prices are lowest. Keep in mind that during November and December, prices are normally reduced on a number of items, including children's clothing, women's coats, shoes, slippers, men's clothing, resort and cruise wear, blankets, table linens, party goods, and appliances such as radios, toasters, stereos and televisions.
• Don't rush into a purchase because of an advertised claim of a low price. Know what the regular price is before buying an on-sale item. Often one store's sale price is another's regular price.
• Shop different types of stores to compare prices. Look at discount stores, catalog showrooms, factory outlets, as well as department stores.
• Be sure to keep receipts of credit purchases and total the expenditures at regular intervals to make sure you stay within the limits of your Christmas spending plan. Also check and keep receipts. If mistakes occur you will need the receipt to help in correcting errors.

If you do feel stressed, avoid last minute shopping. It leads to not only fatigue but also overspending and often making poor selections. For more information on managing on a budget contact your local county Extension office.

Dr. Jo Turner, Professor, Family and Consumer Economics

As many working American families are busier than ever, it is no wonder that many families are turning to food gift catalogs or Internet sites whether for perfect holiday treats or to mark a special occasion. While mail order operators have a good food safety record, the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA/FSIS) offers food safety tips to help buyers and consumers determine if their perishable foods have been properly handled.

Be familiar with the temperature danger zone, which is between 40 and 140ºF; in this temperature range, dangerous bacteria can grow fast and can cause foods to be unsafe to eat. Invest in a food thermometer so that if you receive a perishable food you can check the temperature upon arrival.

When you order or receive a perishable food package make sure that the company sends perishable items such as meat or poultry cold or frozen and packed with cooling materials. The package should be well insulated. Make sure that the perishable food is shipped fast (ideally overnight) and that it has proper labeling. “If you receive a package labeled as “Keep Refrigerated” you should open it right away, and check the temperature of the product. Frozen foods should arrive frozen or partially frozen with ice crystals still visible.

If a perishable product arrives in your home warm, notify the company. Do not consume the food or even taste suspect food. Taking these precautions can help you and your family enjoy the gift of food.

Podcast: Food safety Tips for mail order perishable food

Written by: Amy Simonne
Reviewed by: Linda Bobroff

Listening, learning and living together, it’s the science of life. “Family Album” is a co-production of University of Florida IFAS Extension, the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences and of WUFT-FM. If you’d like to learn more, please visit our website at familyalbumradio.org.

Sources

Mail Order Food Safety