CHICAGO, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Home shopping expert and Random House author Jennifer Litwin announced today five things consumers should consider when shopping for the holiday season. Litwin also researched name brand store credit/gift cards that achieve the biggest bang for the buck for the consumer.

"Holiday shoppers are always thinking about finishing their homes in time for the holidays, accommodating guests, and doing it all on a budget," said Shop Cop and Random House author Jennifer Litwin. "What consumers don't realize when finishing their homes in time for the holidays is the varying degrees of 'pay for play' benefits each name brand store credit and gift card will offer when making purchases. Some holiday shoppers may spend just a $100 to finish their home while others may spend $10,000; so knowing what store credit/gift cards can save them money and give them great deals can make all the difference in the world."

5 Things to consider when shopping this season: 1) If shopping online, look for free delivery. Many stores are offering free delivery as an incentive. Otherwise, there is typically a charge of about 10% for shipping big ticket items like furniture. 2) Beware of store credit card rebate/savings programs because most only offer a 1-2% savings on the cost of your purchases, but you will still incur financing charges, just as with a typical credit card. 3) If a price seems too good to be true, ask to see an assembly sheet to find out how difficult it will be to actually assemble the piece. 4) Buy gift cards for your loved ones that can be used both in the store and online. Many egift cards can only be used for online purchases, and then merchandise needs to be returned to a non-store location. 5) If making a lot of purchases try to do it with a store credit card that offers good discounts for large purchases, or free, desirable gifts.

Wondering where to shop this season? Here's the lowdown on the red flags and nice bonuses of shopping at your favorite retailers:

BED BATH & BEYOND(TM): Offers college savings plan, Upromise, which when you make purchases 1% is given to your child's Upromise college savings account. Upromise doesn't offer such a great reward as an incentive to shop here, but one benefit of shopping at Bed Bath & Beyond is that anything you buy online can be returned at anytime either in the store or by mail. This is great.

BEST BUY(TM): Best Buy's store credit card has a caveat: your interest rate will be "determined upon review of your credit history and application." It works like a regular MasterCard, requiring the holder to pay a minimum amount monthly. Like Circuit City, Best Buy offers a Rewards Program, but only credits you 4% of your purchases instead of 5% offered at Circuit City. Not a huge benefit. Online gift card purchases offer free shipping.

CIRCUIT CITY(TM): The Rewards Program here allows you to get back 5% of your purchases in the form of a coupon that can be used online or in the store. Doesn't seem like a great deal, unless you are buying big ticket items. Gift cards purchased either online or in the store may be used online or in the store. Free shipping on gift cards.

COST PLUS WORLD MARKET(TM): There is no shipping charge for gift cards. However, cards purchased online must be used for online purchases. Huge downside of shopping online: shipping costs can run more than 10% of the purchase price for a standard delivery of 5-7 business days -- very expensive. The World Market Credit Card offers perks such as 3-6 month free financing, from time-to-time, and you can earn Rewards Coupons for each dollar you spend.

CRATE & BARREL(TM): Free shipping on standard delivery gift cards. For 2 business day rushes, shipping charge is only $6. The low shipping charge is a great option for a rush-order gift. Housewares and furniture items can cost 10-25% of the purchase price -- this is no deal. Any item purchased online can be returned by mail or in the store. 90-day return policy for credit or refund, but must have valid receipt. Without a valid receipt you will get a store credit only.

ETHAN ALLEN(TM): 3-6 month free financing term. This is a good plan for new homeowners, but at the end of that period, though, pay in full or be subject to accrual of 23-27% APR interest (ouch). Don't finance here unless you can pay at the end of your free financing period.

HOME DEPOT(TM): Credit card has no annual fee, and even offers perks like discounts on travel and store products. Points accumulate to earn discounts and freebies. No interest for 6 months on purchases of $299 or more -- good holiday shopping perk.

LOWE'S(TM): Gift cards can be used both in the stores and online. Volume discounts are offered.

MENARDS(TM): 2% Rebates on Menards purchases (doesn't add up to enough of a savings to apply for their credit card), but $10 in-store certificate when you make your first $100 purchase on your Menards card. No annual fee. Returns for items purchased online through a gift card may be returned at the store (a perk).

PIER 1 IMPORTS(TM): Quantity shoppers will love the rewards that come with shopping here. Accumulating points gets you special cardholder discount days, and becoming a cardholder gets you 10% off your initial purchase(s).

ROOM & BOARD(TM): On unlimited purchases of furniture, a flat-rate shipping fee, ranging from $69-199, on small items $15 flat fee on unlimited items, on larger accessories and small furniture: $25-79 flat rate. Good shipping rates.

ROOMS TO GO(TM): Their store credit card is currently offering no payment, no interest payment and no down payment until January 2009, and many items come with free UPS ground shipping. These are great benefits as the holiday season draws near.

TARGET(TM): 2 Kinds of gift cards. The ecard can only be used for online purchases. The store-bought gift cards can also be used online. It pays to buy gift cards in the store. Save 10% when you open your Target credit card account. Another great perk of the Target credit card: get 10% off on pharmacy purchases.

WAL-MART(TM): Free shipping on gift returns -- very generous. However, return your items within 90 days to get a refund. One benefit of buying online is that you can have free shipping on items that can be shipped to a nearby Wal-mart. Thousands of items can be shipped directly to their stores. A HUGE perk. You will get an email telling you that your items have arrived and are ready for pick-up within 7-10 days, on average.

About Jennifer Litwin

Home shopping expert and personality, Jennifer Litwin, has spent more than 15 years making sense of the retail world. Since writing her two popular books, Furniture Hot Spots: The Best Furniture Stores and Websites Coast to Coast, and Best Furniture Buying Tips Ever! this Random House author has created segments for television telling what's hot and not in everything for your home. Jennifer Litwin also appears regularly in magazines, news shows and on radio programs. To learn more about Jennifer Litwin, please visit http://www.jenniferlitwin.com/.

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Web site: http://www.jenniferlitwin.com/