REAL

DEAL OR

SCAM?

by Yetnayet Aberra

Everyday in the Big Apple, thousands of fliers, posters, and advertisements with double-digit discounts and other offers on stuff for sale vie for New Yorkers attention – and their wallets. There’s the end-of-season store clearance sale. The President’s Day Sale. And, the classic, “Going out of Business” sale.

But do New Yorkers buy it?

Channing Edson, 26, does. Walking into a Manhattan store to do some quick shopping; she hangs around undecided about buying a “two for almost one” toothbrush.

“They really want to get rid of some of this stuff, but it’s a good price,” Edson says.

Channing Edson at a Manhattan store.

PHOTO : Yetnayet Aberra

when she bought her presents online for what she thought was a great price. But she didn’t get what she bargained for.

“There was a big fiasco,” says Edson. “I got the wrong things, I got things that came with the wrong monogram. I sent it back and they came back and there was no one to accept the package and the package was sent to a UPS office in the Bronx.” In fact, New Yorkers are often suspicious of anything that’s ‘free’.

According to the the New York State Consumer Protection Board retail sales ranging from item pricing to refund were the top ten consumer complaints.The New York State Consumer protection Board constantly warns New York shoppers about fraud and provides tips on deciding whether something is a great deal or not. Most New Yorkers stopped and questioned while shopping had a fair idea of what they were getting.

“I can’t really think of advertisements that have influenced me to buy against my better judgment,” says Dr. Vincent Dellarocca, a retired dentist, who was also shopping at local drugstore. “I am not a great shopper, my wife knows a lot about these things; women have been at the market place for centuries and it’s a heritage we can’t beat.”

Dr . Vincent Dellarocca at a convenience store

PHOTO : Yetnayet Aberra

But not all women buy it.

“If I need to get myself good stuff I go to a good store, sometimes the price doesn’t matter,” says Cristina Pachiska, 52 a Russian born New York resident.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns against buying medical products that promise to deliver instant results. However according to the FTC consumers fall prey everyday to "unscrupulous marketers who exploit their fears and boost their hopes, all in the name of fast buck."

Cristina Pachiska at a food store

PHOTO : Yetnayet Aberra

New Yorkers spent more money on food and transportation in 2003-2004. The rise in retail prices is the reason for increased spending, according the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Consumer spending increased with the rise in retail prices. Despite the modest revival in the economy, most people practiced money saving behaviors coupon clipping, reviewing advertising specials, comparing prices at different supermarkets, participating in frequent shopper programs and stocking up on sale items, according to a report posted on the American Taste website.

The next time you are drawn by one of these deals, watch out that you are not enticed by buzz words like get-free-rich, absolutely free, guaranteed, quick and easy and nothing illegal. It's one thing to draw consumer's attention and another to fail deliver on promises.

Shop around

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