As we like to say, an ounce of prevention is worth fifteen tons of cure. Add up all the time, aggravation, regret and hassle you've ever experienced after buying something that wasn't up to snuff, or while attempting to return something you decided not to keep. Wouldn't it be great if you could avoid those fifteen tons of frustrating baggage? Well, you can—using these ten simple rules, you'll be satisfied with every purchase you make.

FIRST COMMANDMENT:
Thou Shalt Always Ask for a Referral

Did you ever buy something that turned out to be a piece of junk? When you shared your tale of woe with your Uncle Bob, he told you he bought the same thing a year ago and could have told you not to waste your money. Our First Commandment–Thou Shalt Always Ask for a Referral–makes scenarios like this a mere unpleasant memory.

First and foremost, you increase your chances of getting satisfaction from your purchase if you ask for a referral from someone you know, like a friend, relative, neighbor or co-worker. Secondly, you might just get a lead on a cheaper price or a quality retailer who gives good service.

When you're looking for a referral, try to find someone who has bought the exact product or service you're considering. Then ask these questions:

• Are they satisfied with the product or service?
• Is there anything they wish were different about the product or the way the service was performed?
• Is there any attachment or enhancement they wish they had bought?
• Do you have to upgrade fairly quickly?
• Have they had any problems with the product or the service?
• Was the problem resolved to their satisfaction?
• Did they ever see a cheaper price anywhere?
• Where did they buy theirs and what is the name of the person they bought it from?

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