Avoiding Bad Buys

Spot red flags, scams, and overhyped products before spending your money.

15 stories

Avoiding Bad Buys

Before You Buy Anything 'Viral': A Skeptic's Pre-Purchase Checklist

Latest in Avoiding Bad Buys

Avoiding Bad Buys

Counterfeit vs. Genuine: How to Tell the Difference When Shopping Online

By Smart Shopping Editorial Team · 6 min · Nov 13, 2025
Avoiding Bad Buys

Customer Reviews: Spotting Fake Ones Without a Forensics Degree

By Smart Shopping Editorial Team · 6 min · Jun 29, 2025
Avoiding Bad Buys

Deceptive Pricing Tactics Retailers Use — and How to See Through Them

By Smart Shopping Editorial Team · 8 min · Jul 24, 2024
Avoiding Bad Buys

Extended Warranties: When They Protect You and When They Don't

By Smart Shopping Editorial Team · 6 min · Aug 6, 2024
Avoiding Bad Buys

Online Marketplace Red Flags Every Shopper Should Recognize

By Smart Shopping Editorial Team · 5 min · Sep 9, 2025
Avoiding Bad Buys

Overhyped Product Categories: Where Marketing Routinely Outpaces Reality

By Smart Shopping Editorial Team · 6 min · May 21, 2025
Avoiding Bad Buys

Reading the Fine Print: What Return Policies Actually Say

By Smart Shopping Editorial Team · 6 min · Nov 24, 2023
Avoiding Bad Buys

Shopping Scams That Target Americans Most Frequently

By Smart Shopping Editorial Team · 5 min · Oct 16, 2023
Avoiding Bad Buys

Smart Shopping From the Ground Up: Protecting Yourself Before, During, and After a Purchase

By Smart Shopping Editorial Team · 7 min · Oct 12, 2024
Avoiding Bad Buys

Subscription Traps: How Free Trials Become Charges You Didn't Expect

By Smart Shopping Editorial Team · 5 min · Jan 6, 2023
Avoiding Bad Buys

The Anatomy of a Bad Deal: What Makes a Purchase Go Wrong

By Smart Shopping Editorial Team · 8 min · Jul 21, 2026
Avoiding Bad Buys

The Truth About 'Limited-Time Offers' and Artificial Scarcity

By Smart Shopping Editorial Team · 5 min · Apr 2, 2024
Avoiding Bad Buys

Why 'As Seen on TV' Products So Often Disappoint

By Smart Shopping Editorial Team · 7 min · Mar 14, 2025
Avoiding Bad Buys

Why Your Gut Feeling About a 'Great Deal' Is Often Wrong

By Smart Shopping Editorial Team · 8 min · Feb 12, 2023

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Smart Shopping Editorial Team

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