Did you know the telephone could be used to save money, time, and human energy, WITHOUT switching phone companies? How many times have you driven or walked from store to store to compare prices of an item you needed. If you let your fingers do the dialing, you might have found the lowest-priced item in a fraction of the time it took to get to one store by car. Comparison shopping by phone is not new, but is a technique many consumers do not use. Many may be shy about calling stores to get product information. Knowing how to ask for help can make a difference in the response you get over the phone. When using the phone to get product information and availability, know exactly what you want and be ready to describe it by name with specifics (size, model number, etc.) Other guidelines to help you shop by phone are:

• Have a written copy in front of you of the product features you are calling about just in case your memory fails temporarily. One or two words may be enough.
• Be friendly, smile. People can hear a smile over the phone.
• Call during times when the store is not likely to be busy.
• Give your name and ask for the name of the person you are speaking to. This makes the conversation more personal, and people are generally more helpful if they know you know their name. Names are also helpful if you are accidentally disconnected during the call or if you need to call back later for more information.
• Have a pencil and paper ready to take notes.
• If you find exactly what you want by phone, ask the salesperson to hold the item for you at the service desk and indicate when you are likely to be there to pick it up. (This generally works at smaller, specialty stores.)
• Don't be afraid to shop by phone. Remember, businesses need consumers and those who want you as a customer will do almost anything reasonable to satisfy you. The worst thing that can happen is you will not get the information you want.