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GOING Diwali shopping? Then here is some information that may help you make smart choices. So what is first on your shopping list? Clothes? Well, if it is silk that you are looking for, then I would suggest that you go for those carrying the silk mark because that guarantees the quality of silk that you buy. Today, the advances in textile fabrication and technology has made it possible to produce fabrics that look like natural silk. However, there is a vast difference in quality as well as price between the natural and the imitation products. Since consumers cannot differentiate between the two, there is of purchase. So to protect consumer interest, the Central Silk Board has sponsored the Silk Mark Organisation of India (SMOI), which administers the silk quality mark on 100 per cent natural silk. Called the silk mark and represented by an artistic depiction of a moth, the high-security e-beam hologram is to pure silk, what hallmark is to gold. So, whether you are buying a silk saree or a dress material or a shirt or a kurta, look for the silk mark logo. You can also log on to www.silkmarkindia.com to check the names of dealers who sell authenticated silk. If household appliances or electronic goods are on your shopping list, then I would suggest that you look carefully at product features, compare quality, price and after-sales service, and make an informed decision. You must also keep in mind the need for energy efficient products. So look for the energy efficiency label or the star marks given by the Energy Efficiency Bureau. If you are going in for one of those "buy a refrigerator, get a washing machine free" kind of offers, you need to be doubly careful. If you are getting a washing machine "free" (is it really free?), for example, find out the model. If it is semi-automatic, can you pay a little more and get a fully automatic machine? Is the manufacturer willing to reduce the price of the product if you do not want the free gift? Is the manufacturer giving the same warranty/guarantee on the free product? Be fully informed before you make your choice. Given the skyrocketing price of gold, I thought that customers would stay away from jewellery shops this season. But I am obviously wrong because I already see jewellery shops doing brisk business. The allurements of free gifts being offered by jewellers could also be one of the reasons. However, I would suggest that given the price that you would pay for a piece of jewellery, make sure of two things: quality and weight, or else you would be a big loser. As far as quality is concerned, your best bet is to go for hallmarked jewellery. As for quantity or weight, make sure that the weighing is accurate. Hallmarking is basically a system of analysing or assaying of precious metals like gold in a laboratory to ascertain its purity or fineness and certifying it. And since the certification is done not by the jeweller selling the jewellery but by an independent agency (Bureau of Indian Standards), it provides a third party guarantee on quality. But more important, unlike certain other methods of checking the authenticity, which only gives you the purity on the surface to a depth of 25 microns or so, assaying is a more authentic method of testing the purity of gold. Since October 2005, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is also providing hallmarking for silver utensils, artefacts and jewellery. So I would suggest that you go for hallmarked silver, so that you are not cheated on the quality and price when you buy the precious metal. You can get a list of jewellers selling hallmarked gold and silver jewellery on the BIS website:www. bis.org.in. If you are buying furniture for the house, then make sure that the quality of wood used is good and that it is free of borers. It is also absolutely essential to check on the replacement and refund policy of the furniture shop because in recent times I have come across many people who have had a bad deal, wherein the furniture turned out to be of poor quality and the shop refused to take it back or replace it. So check these things before parting with your money. Whatever you buy, make
sure that you collect the cash receipt and the guarantee card.
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