A knowledgeable consumer is better prepared to recognize fraud, avoid costly mistakes and make purchasing decisions with confidence.
You don't need to investigate every purchase like a detective. You simply need to develop a few good habits.
Start with four: ASK. CHECK. VERIFY. DECIDE.
The ClickFirst Consumer Checklist below expands those four simple steps into practical habits you can use whenever you're making an important purchasing or hiring decision.
The ClickFirst Consumer Rule
ASK. CHECK. VERIFY. DECIDE.
You don't need to become an expert every time you purchase a product or hire a local business.
You just need a simple process that helps you make better decisions.
At ClickFirst, we call it the ClickFirst Consumer Rule:
ASK.
Start with people you trust.
Before searching the entire internet, ask friends, family, neighbors and people you know if they have experience with the type of business you need.
A personal recommendation can give you something an advertisement or anonymous rating cannot: the experience of someone you trust.
CHECK.
Do your homework.
Research the business, product or service you're considering.
Look at the business's website, online presence, reviews, pricing, experience and other available information.
Compare your options rather than relying on the first result you find.
VERIFY.
Confirm what matters.
For important purchases and services, independently verify information such as licenses, credentials, insurance, contact information and other claims that matter to your decision.
Don't assume something is true simply because it appears online.
DECIDE.
Take your time and make the choice that's right for you.
Consider everything you've learned.
The recommendation.
The research.
The verification.
The price.
And your own comfort with the business.
Then make an informed decision with greater confidence.
Four Steps. One Better Habit.
ASK someone you trust.
CHECK the information.
VERIFY what matters.
DECIDE with confidence.
That's what we mean when we say:
Before You Purchase. Before You Hire. Before You Decide. CLICK FIRST.
The ClickFirst Consumer Checklist
Before You Purchase. Before You Hire. Before You Decide.
We have access to more information than any generation of consumers in history.
Unfortunately, we also have more misinformation.
Fake reviews, fraudulent websites, impersonation scams, misleading advertisements and increasingly sophisticated technology can make it difficult to know who—or what—to trust.
That's why one of the most important things you can do before spending your money is surprisingly simple:
Slow down. Ask questions. Verify. And talk to people you trust.
A knowledgeable consumer is not only better prepared to recognize fraud and deception, but also more likely to make a purchase they're happy with.
The ClickFirst Consumer Checklist provides a simple starting point.
1. Start With People You Trust
Before searching the entire internet, try your own network.
Ask friends, family, neighbors and other people you trust:
“Who do you recommend?”
Someone who has actually hired the contractor, eaten at the restaurant, used the service or purchased the product can provide information that an advertisement cannot.
That's exactly why ClickFirst exists.
People You Know. Businesses You Trust.
2. Clearly Identify What You Need
Before comparing businesses, know what you're trying to accomplish.
What product or service do you need?
What's your budget?
What's most important to you—price, quality, experience, convenience, timing or something else?
The clearer you are about what you need, the easier it becomes to compare your choices.
3. Slow Down
Urgency is one of the most effective ways to pressure consumers into making bad decisions.
Be cautious when someone tells you:
“You have to decide right now.”
“This price is only available today.”
“You need to send payment immediately.”
A legitimate business should generally be willing to give you reasonable time to understand what you're purchasing.
For an important purchase, give yourself permission to stop and think.
4. Be Skeptical of Anything That Seems Too Good to Be True
An unusually low price isn't necessarily a bargain.
An extraordinary investment return isn't necessarily an opportunity.
And an unexpected message telling you that you've won something isn't necessarily good news.
Ask yourself:
Why am I being offered this?
A few minutes of skepticism can prevent an expensive mistake.
5. Verify the Business
A professional-looking website doesn't prove that a business is legitimate.
Neither does appearing in search results.
Before making a significant purchase or hiring an unfamiliar business, verify important information independently.
Depending on the transaction, that may include:
-
Business name
-
Physical address or service area
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Telephone number
-
Website
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Length of time in business
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Ownership information
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Required licenses
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Insurance
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Professional credentials
Whenever possible, verify important information using an independent or official source rather than relying solely on information supplied by the business itself.
6. Verify Licenses and Credentials
Some professions and services require state or local licensing.
If a license matters to the work being performed, verify it through the appropriate government or licensing authority.
Don't rely solely on a license number or credential displayed on a website, advertisement or business card.
Verify it independently.
7. Look Beyond Star Ratings
Online reviews can provide useful information, but they shouldn't necessarily be your only source.
Look for patterns.
Read positive and negative reviews.
Consider how recent they are.
Pay attention to how the business responds when something goes wrong.
And whenever possible, combine anonymous online information with something considerably more personal:
A recommendation from someone you know.
8. Compare Your Options
For significant purchases or services, consider comparing more than one provider.
Look beyond price.
Compare:
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What's included
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Product or material quality
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Experience
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Warranties
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Service
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Timing
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Payment terms
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Reputation
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References
The lowest price isn't always the best value.
The goal isn't simply to spend less.
It's to make a decision you'll still feel good about later.
9. Ask for References When Appropriate
For significant projects, asking a business for references can provide another useful source of information.
Don't simply ask:
“Were you satisfied?”
Ask specific questions:
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What work did the business perform?
-
Did they arrive when promised?
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Was the final price consistent with the estimate?
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How did they handle problems?
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Would you hire them again?
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Would you recommend them to someone you know?
Specific questions produce much more useful answers.
10. Understand What You're Agreeing To
Before signing a contract, making a deposit or authorizing significant work, understand the agreement.
Know:
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What you're buying
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What it costs
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When payment is due
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What work is included
-
What isn't included
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Cancellation terms
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Warranty provisions
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Expected completion dates
If something isn't clear, ask.
For major financial or legal commitments, professional advice may be appropriate.
11. Use Payment Methods With Appropriate Protection
How you pay can matter if something goes wrong.
Before sending money—particularly to someone you don't know—understand what protections your payment method provides and whether the transaction can be disputed or reversed.
Be especially cautious when someone unexpectedly insists on a payment method that provides little opportunity for recovery.
12. Protect Your Personal Information
A legitimate transaction doesn't automatically mean someone needs access to all of your personal information.
Before providing sensitive information, ask:
Why do they need this?
How will it be used?
Am I certain I'm communicating with the real business?
Be particularly cautious with unexpected emails, text messages and phone calls requesting passwords, verification codes, financial information or immediate payment.
13. Check for Complaints and Warning Signs
Before making an important purchase, search for information about the business from multiple sources.
Look for recurring complaints rather than relying on one isolated comment.
Government consumer-protection agencies, licensing authorities and other reputable sources may also provide useful information.
Remember:
A complaint doesn't automatically prove a business is bad, just as a five-star review doesn't automatically prove it's good.
Look at the complete picture.
14. Get Professional Help When the Stakes Are High
Some decisions are too important to make alone.
A major investment.
A real estate transaction.
A complicated contract.
A substantial construction project.
A legal or financial commitment.
When the potential loss is significant, paying a qualified professional for independent advice or appropriate due diligence can be money well spent.
The ClickFirst Rule
You don't need to become a private investigator every time you buy something.
For everyday decisions, remember four simple steps:
ASK. CHECK. VERIFY. DECIDE.
ASK
Start with people you trust.
CHECK
Research the business, product or service.
VERIFY
Confirm the information that matters.
DECIDE
Take your time and make the choice that's right for you.
Trust People. Verify Information.
Technology is an extraordinary tool.
Use it.
Search.
Compare.
Research.
Verify.
But don't overlook one of the most valuable sources of information you already have:
The experience of people you know.
That's the idea behind ClickFirst.
We're creating a place where consumers can save, share and discover local businesses recommended by friends, family, neighbors and other people they trust.
Because sometimes the best place to begin your research isn't an algorithm.
It's a conversation.
People You Know. Businesses You Trust.
Before You Purchase. Before You Hire. Before You Decide. CLICK FIRST.