Business savvy – words of wisdom

• The 3 day cooling off rule – only applies if the sale is away from the sellers regular place of business and the item cost over $25 and does not apply to real estate, insurance, securities or vehicles.
• You can dispute credit card purchases within 60 days of receiving the bill.
• Use regular gasoline.  The AAA says only 5% of cars sold in the USA require premium, but 20% of gas sold is premium.  Using premium when not required provides no benefit.
• Never give out any personal information to an unfamiliar person or organization that calls you on the phone or e-mails you.  Telephone caller ID numbers and names and e-mail and web addresses can be faked.
• Never buy anything from (or donate anything to) a telemarketer. Doing so only encourages the telemarketing industry.  Good deals from telemarketers are extremely rare.  Out right fraud is extremely common.  Never buy anything from (or donate anything to) a telemarketer. Doing so only encourages the telemarketing industry.  Good deals from telemarketers are extremely rare.  Out right fraud is extremely common. Sign up to be on the do-not-call list if you are not already (https://complaints.donotcall.gov).
• If you plan to use a rental car on a vacation, check with your credit card or car insurance company.  They may cover you for collision on rental cars, in which case you don’t need to buy it from the rental car company.
• Car dealerships now have persons on their staff who specialize in making offers to information you submit to them via the Internet.  Comparison shop for the best deal.  But also negotiate when you go to the dealer.  You can determine the FMV of new or used cars at KBB.com.  Use that info to negotiate. 
• If your flight is delayed or cancelled tell them you are aware of rule 240.  It says they have to put you on the next outbound flight, even if it is on another airline.
• For good hotel rates, call the hotel (not the 800 number) and ask someone in charge for the best rate they can give you.
• Shred things you throw away that have personal information on them
• Don’t send in warranty cards.  Your warranty is valid without doing so.  The cards are collected to put you on junk mailing lists.