Deal? Or No Deal?

NEW YORK (MONEY Magazine) - Just like the mysterious "banker" on Deal or No Deal, sellers of all sorts dangle tempting offers before you. And like the contestants on the TV show, you're often left trying to make a decision with imperfect information and little time.

On TV it's entertaining; in real life it's just plain stressful.

When a deal sounds alluring, you're right to suspect there's a catch. There always is. In an ideal world, you'd take a few minutes to read the fine print and run the numbers, then make your decision.

"Time is your friend and the seller's enemy," says Jennifer Leach, a consumer advocate with AARP.

But when the sales clerk is waiting and the promotion is expiring, you might not have a chance to do due diligence. So check the offers now, and when they're presented, you'll know whether to say deal or no deal.

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