Good Deals That Aren't All That Good

From Jeffrey Strain:

If you’re doing some last minute shopping, you may be tempted by all the ‘freebies’ retailers are offering, but be careful. Some carry a hidden price tag. Here’s a run-down of good deals that aren’t all that good:

• “Free with purchase.” Receiving a bonus item when you buy can be a great deal - if you need the item you’re buying in the first place. It’s a waste if you buy something that’ll go unused, just to get a freebie.
  
  
• “Free after rebate.” You can get a bargain this way, but you need to read the fine print and make sure there aren’t restrictions that’ll make getting the rebate difficult. Most rebates go unclaimed because people don’t want the hassle, or don’t follow directions properly. For instance, if you fail to include a copy of your receipt or a UPC code cut from the product’s box, you could be out of luck.
  
  
• The “free trial.” This lets you use a product or service so you can see if you like it. However, there’s a catch: Most free trials require you to cancel once the introductory period’s over. If you don’t, your “free trial” becomes a promise to buy. If you gave them a credit card number, you’ll be changed and not even know it until your bill comes.
  
  
• The “reward.” This is where you receive a gift after doing something like applying for a credit card. Getting another card could hurt your credit score and tempt you to overspend. Which means that gas card, T-shirt, or tote bag could end up costing you hundreds in interest charges.
  
  
• “Free shipping.” We all know that UPS and FEDEX don’t work for nothing. That means the cost of shipping is hidden somewhere. Your best bet is to buy from the place that offers the lowest overall price.

There are some good deals out there, but you have to do your homework. Otherwise, you may find that the offer that looked so good at first - really is costing you money.