7 Smart Shopping Tips for Big-Ticket Buys

Shopping for a car may not seem to have much in common with shopping for a laptop or a new refrigerator -- except that all three have high price tags, which means a high level of pain if you discover you've made a bad purchase.

You can feel free to skimp on your due diligence when shopping for a new coffeemaker or throw pillow. Even if it doesn't live up to expectations, it's not likely to break the bank. But the financial consequences are more severe when you make a mistake on a big-ticket item.

Here are some universal tips that can help avoid those expensive regrets.

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Michele Lerner is a Motley Fool contributing writer. The Motley Fool recommends The Home Depot.