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Things retailers, supermarkets won’t tell you
Jonathan Dahl and the editors of Smart Money, The Wall Street Journal Magazine, just came out with a book called “1,001 Things They Won’t Tell You.”
The book is a compilation of the many lists of “10 things” the editors have compiled over the years of what consumers aren’t being told by the experts about everything from the DMV to the dentist to education to Major League Baseball.
Their lists can help you make more informed decisions about spending so you get the most for your money.
To give you a sampling of what the book has to offer, here are some of the notes from the lists about retailers and supermarkets, since those lists pertain directly to this blog’s subject matter.
Among their “10 things your retailer won’t tell you”:
1. Forget commissions, our staff gets kickbacks. The book notes that sometimes salespeople benefit from steering consumers to certain items.
2. That salesman doesn’t actually work here. Sometimes stores have marketing managers wandering the stores to “offer information.”
3. If you knew our return policy, you might not shop here. Ask about policies before making an electronics purchase.
Among the things the supermarkets won’t tell you:
1. Our specials are anything but. Sometimes the coupons they offer are not discounts at all. Compare prices before you buy — even with a coupon.
2. Everybody pays a price for our “loyalty” program. Customers shopping at stores with loyalty programs who don’t join are footing the bill for the others. And if you do join, you pay a price with your privacy.
3. Our stores might make you sick. In addition to bugs and rodents, some stores spray pesticides that can actually make you more sick than the vermin. The editors recommend asking if the store has a food-safety manager.
“1,001 Things They Won’t Tell You” is listed for $16.95, but you can get it at Amazon right now for $11.53.
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