Editors of Readers Digest - 13 Things They Wont Tell You: 375+ Experts Confess the Insider Secrets They Keep to Themselves

13 THINGS
THEY WONT
TELL YOU

13 THINGS
THEY WONT
TELL YOU

375+ Experts Confess the
INSIDER SECRETS
They Keep to Themselves

Marty Munson and the
Editors of Readers Digest

The Readers Digest Association, Inc.
New York, NY / Montreal

A READERS DIGEST BOOK

Copyright 2012 The Readers Digest Association, Inc.

All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction, in any manner, is prohibited.

Readers Digest is a registered trademark of The Readers Digest Association, Inc.

FOR READERS DIGEST

Senior Editor: Katherine Furman

Manager, English Book Editorial, Readers Digest Canada: Pamela Johnson

Project Designer: Jennifer Tokarski

Managing Editor: Lorraine Burton

Senior Art Director: George McKeon

Associate Publisher, Trade Publishing: Rosanne McManus

President and Publisher, Trade Publishing: Harold Clarke

Executive Editor, Readers Digest North America: Courtenay Smith

Creative Director, Readers Digest North America: Robert Newman

Editor-in-Chief and Chief Content Officer, Readers Digest North America: Liz Vaccariello

President, Readers Digest North America: Dan Lagani

President, Readers Digest Association, Inc.: Robert E. Guth

Contributing Editor: Marty Munson

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Indexer: Jay Kreider

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data

13 things they wont tell you : 120+ experts confess the secrets they keep to themselves / Liz Vaccariello and the editors of Readers digest.

p. cm.

Summary: Behind-the-scenes advice from hundreds of service professionals that will shock you--and save you time and money. OVER 1,300 EYE-OPENING MONEY-SAVING TIPS! Our experts reveal how to avoid being scammed, what services you dont need to pay for, behind-the-scenes deals (but you have to know how to ask), and how to get the best value for your money-- Provided by publisher.

ISBN: 978-1-60652-502-9

1. Consumer education. I. Vaccariello, Liz. II. Readers Digest Association. III. Title: Thirteen things they wont tell you.

TX335.A13 2012

640.73--dc23

2012008838

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NOTE TO OUR READERS

Readers Digest publishes the advice of expert authorities in many fields. But the use of a book is not a substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional services. Consult a competent professional for answers to your specific questions.

This publication contains the opinions and ideas of its contributors and is designed to provide useful information to the reader on the subject matter covered. This publication is sold with the understanding that the contributors and the publisher are not engaged in rendering legal advice. Laws vary from state to state, and readers with specific issues should seek the services of an attorney. Any references in this publication to any products or services do not constitute or imply an endorsement or recommendation. The publisher and the contributors specifically disclaim any responsibility for any liability, loss, or risk (personal, financial, or otherwise) that may be claimed or incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and/or application of any of the contents of this publication.

Wouldnt you love to know what goes on in the mind of burglars and identity thieves so you can outsmart them? Or contractors, movers, and car mechanics so you dont get fleeced?

Now you dont have to wonder, because we here at Readers Digest found out the truth for you in our most popular service column, 13 Things! The article is such a hit that we wanted to give our readers more, and thats what you have in your hands: the comprehensive, info-packed book that grew from the column that asks hundreds of peoplefrom former inmates to the sales and servicepeople you encounter every dayto cough up the juicy secrets about what really goes on when youre not looking. We made hundreds of phone calls to find out what these experts want people to know, what they dont want people to know, and what people would be shocked to know (we had to promise some of them anonymity to fork over the most jaw-dropping tidbits).

Once you understand what really happens behind the scenes, not only will you save huge amounts of money, you will also get better serviceand even better health care. For instance, being wise to the games at the car dealership will make you a player, not a victim. And knowing what we found out about how everyone from debt collectors to dentists operate can keep you from gnashing your teethor losing them.

We paired these top-secret confessions from the experts with practical sidebars that will help you take action: Find out when you need to call in a professional and when you can easily take care of something yourself on the cheap. Learn how to get on the good side of everyone from your waiter to your pediatrician. Take a deep breath and see how you can maximize your work life, all the way from getting a job to asking for a raise to avoiding a stress meltdown.

From wedding planners to marriage counselors, baristas to weight-loss experts, real estate agents to travel agents, bankers to TV salesmen, dentists to nannies and many, many more, our experts offer you the new dos and donts for smart people, and our expert advice shows you how to use these secrets to your advantage.

Among the eye-opening, money-saving, health-friendly tips, we got insiders to reveal:

Why plumbers see dollar signs when they see flushable baby wipes.

The $100 item you should never let a TV salesman sell you.

What time of day gas station owners hike up their prices.

The top things that horrify your nanny.

What really happens to your pizza between the call and the delivery.

How to get your insurance to pay for LASIK surgery.

And over 1,000 other essentials!

Youll benefit from this insider information by becoming not just wiser, but more compassionate, too. By taking a glimpse behind the scenes of dozens of professions, youll see what its like in the break room, on the other side of the cash register, in the work van, and behind the service desk. Once you know why youre waiting for so long in the ER, youll be incredibly relieved. And when you get a feel for what its like to wait on hungry, cranky grownups acting like kids or worse, your tipping habits might change forever.