Start With the Sale2
Browse the trendiest, most pricey, front-of-the-store items, but then head to the discount3 areas for similar stuff on the cheap. What if that T-shirt is not on sale? Don’t be shy! Ask when it will be marked down4. (Eventually, almost everything is!)
Fake It
Go to discount stores and find items, which are the same. And don’t forget the outlets!
Coupons5 are great. Check newspaper and magazines for coupons and special offers6, which may save you some money on high-priced items.
Buyer Beware. It’s only a bargain if the sale item is something you will actually wear! Don’t let a discounted price send you to the checkout counter7 with something less than wonderful.
Ready to Wear? Make sure your beautiful bargain fits—or will fit, if you’re buying out of season8. You might grow by next winter, or even before school starts...
Must-Haves... Maybe
Ask yourself these questions before you buy.
“Do I love it?” if not, let it go.
“Will I wear it?” that lace9 dress is adorable10, but when, exactly, will you have a chance to show it off11?
“Does it fit my school’s clothing rules?” If torn jeans are off limits12, put them back!
“Am I willing to forgo13 other items?” Only you know...
“Does it go with other clothes I already own?” Be realistic!
“Do I have shoes to wear with it?” And, if not, does it make sense to buy some?
“I love the look—but does it look good on me?” Just because it fits Lindsay Lohan doesn’t mean it will fit you.
“Is it built to last?” Is it poor quality? Put it back!
“Is it washable?”“Dry clean only” means no, it isn’t—and that someone has to pay for cleaning!
The Return Rules
What if you change your mind about a purchase? Can you get your money back? Here’s what you need to know before you take it back.
Know the Terms. If a store gives a full refund14 on items you’ve decided you don’t want, you’ll get all your money back, in cash, to spend wherever and whenever you like. A store credit15, on the other hand, can only be used in that store, and may only be good for a certain period of time (usually at least six months).
Check the Store’s Policy. Return policies vary from store to store. Most will give you all your money back you return the item within a certain period of time, if it’s unused or unworn, and you have your receipt. But some stores will only give you a store credit, and some items—especially if they’re on sale—may be “final sale only.” Ideally, you should know the store’s policy before you buy. It may be posted somewhere near the cash register16, but if you don’t see it, ask! Once the sale is made, check your receipt—details may be printed there.
But it’s Defective17! If an item does not perform the way it should, take it back. This doesn’t mean you can play a new video game or CD a few times, decide “Not for me!” and expect to get your money back. Most stores won’t take back used merchandise18. On the other hand, some stores do accept returns, if a customer isn’t completely satisfied, so it pays to check the store’s policy.
Oh, no!I Lost My Receipt! Don’t despair. Ask if you can return the item anyway—you have nothing to lose. Many stores will give a store credit even if you don’t have your receipt.
You Deserve Respect. Unfortunately, not all sales people treat kids well, so your best manners are a must! Be polite and clear about what’s wrong with what you bought. And if all else fails, bring your mom or dad along. It helps to have an adult on your side.
从降价商品入手.
先浏览一下商店前排货架上最新潮、最昂贵的商品，然后到折扣区寻找价格低廉的类似商品。要是那件T恤没打折该怎么办？不要难为情！直接问问什么时候减价甩卖。（到最后差不多所有商品都会降价的！）
如法炮制
去折扣店淘宝吧，那儿的东西一样不错。可别忘了专卖店喽！
优惠券是好东西。翻翻报纸杂志，看看有没有优惠券或特价消息，它们能让你在购置昂贵商品时节省不少钱。
购物须谨慎。只有当降价的衣物是你真正穿得上的，那才划算！别让折扣价冲昏了头脑，拿着不怎么样的商品到柜台结账。
准备穿吗？如果你买些过季的衣服，要确保你中意的降价品穿着合身——或以后会合身。因为明年冬天，或者只是开学之前，你可能就长高了。
必需品吗？也许吧.
购物前先问问自己这些问题：
“我喜欢它吗？”如果不喜欢，就不要买。
“我会穿它吗？” 那件镶着花边的女装可爱极了，但确切地说，你何时有机会穿它秀一下呢？
“它符合我们学校的着装规定吗？” 如果禁止穿带洞牛仔裤上学，就把它们放回去吧！
“我愿放弃其他商品吗？”只有你自己知道……
“它与我已有的衣物是否搭配？” 还是务实一些吧！
“我有鞋子配它吗？”如果没有，买它还有意义吗？
“我喜欢这个款式——可是这个款式适合我吗？”仅仅因为林赛·罗翰穿着漂亮，并不意味着它也适合你。
“它经穿吗？”质量差是吧？ 放回去好了！
“它能水洗吗？” “只能干洗”就没门。不能水洗，你就要为清洁衣物破费了！
退款规则
如果你后悔买了某件商品，那该怎么办？你能把钱要回来吗？以下是你退款前须知。
弄清商店条款。如果商店对你不想要的商品提供全额退款，你就能拿回所有现金，何时何地花费悉听尊便；. 但如果是商场信用卡，那就只能在这家商店使用，而且可能只在一段时间内有效（通常不少于六个月）。
核查商店的规定。退款规定因店而异。如果在规定时间内退货，货物未使用或未损坏，而且你有收据，多数商店都会全额退款。但是有些商店只会给你一张商店信用卡，有些商品，——特别是特价品，可能“一经售出，概不退换”。最理想的办法就是： 购物前应先了解商店规定。这些规定可能张贴在收银机旁，如果你找不到，就问吧！购物完毕，查看你的收据，详细店规可能都印在上面呢。
可这商品有毛病啊！ 如果商的功能不正常，就去退换。这并不等于说你可以反复玩新的电子游戏或听新唱片，认定“不合我意！”再指望退款。大多数商店都不会接受使用过的商品。 但是如果顾客不完全满意，某些商店还是会接受退货的。所以先看好店规还是比较合算的。
哦，不！ 我把收据弄丢了！ 别灰心。不管怎样先问问你能否退货——开下口你也没什么损失。即使你没有收据，许多商店仍然会给你一张商店信用卡。
你应该得到尊敬。不幸的是，并非所有售货员都会善待小孩子，所以你讲文明就非常必要了！要彬彬有礼、清楚地说明你购买的商品出了什么问题。如果各种办法都行不通，那就去搬救兵，把你的爸爸或妈妈领来。有成年人陪在左右，会好办得多。
1. gear up促进，增加
2. sale [seil] n. 廉价出售
3. discount n. 折扣
4. mark down 降低价格
5. coupon n. 优惠券
6. special offer 特殊报价，特价优惠
7. checkout counter 结账柜台
8. out of season过时，不合时令
9. lace [leis] n. 花边
10. adorable adj. 可爱的
11. show off 炫耀，卖弄
12. off limit 禁止的
13. forgo v. 作罢，放弃
14. refund n. 退款
15. store credit 商场信用卡；现金卡
16. cash register 收银机
17. defective adj. 有问题的，有缺陷的
18. merchandise n. 商品，货物