A PSA from your friendly neighborhood CSR

So as we move into the Holiday season, that time is upon us when we spend more money than we have all year to give people things we're pretty sure they'll like, in some cases things we know they'll like.  And many times, we'll do it online for some reason or other.  And, because it's the Holiday season, there will be a chance you'll end up calling into a company's Customer Service center to talk with an agent about something.  So, on behalf of CSRs across the country and abroad, I thought I'd compile a list of things to keep in mind before, during, and after you do your online shopping over the next couple weeks.

BEFORE YOU SHOP

1. Figure out where you're going to do your shopping.  This sounds like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised.  Bear in mind that if you choose a third-party retailer at a place like Amazon.com or eBay.com, you *will* have issues if something goes wrong.  Be especially careful of anything third-party.  What seems like a better deal can cause more hassle than it's worth in the long run due to "restocking fees" and "shipping and handling".  In other words, know where you're buying, and who you're buying from.
2. Don't leave your online shopping for the last minute.  This will become clearer later on in this post, but this is something to keep in mind before you do your shopping.