How many times have you purchased something...maybe on sale, maybe not...taken it home...and realized...you hate it.

You absolutely hate it.

And you just spent $45 on a thing you hate.

That you can't return.

Sucks, right? It's called purchase regret, and it's a big plague among shoppers. I'm so familiar with it, I've coined it "Shopper's Remorse". Not to be confused with Buyer's Remorse or caveat emptor -- because I don't buy. I shop....which is so much more dangerous.

What's your biggest purchase regret? My biggest purchase regret was very difficult to narrow down, because I tend to have lots of them. I don't know why!

Okaaaay...I know why. I'm an impulsive shopper. A few months ago I bought a very expensive pen. A pen I didn't need and that I couldn't afford. I was feeling miserable and self-indulgent. It's a bad combination for a girl like me!

Enter: American Express Premium Return Protection Service. It's a brand-spankin'-new service that you can sign up for (no Amex card needed!) that protects you from purchase regrets--it gives shoppers up to 180 days (that's like, nearly half a year, according to my fingers!) to return popular items that retailers will no longer accept. Ladies, this is huge!!

If I had Premium Return Protection, I could still go back and return this very expensive pen, even though I bought it in August (it's never been used). But alas, I don't, so I will have to find a willing buyer via eBay or Craigslist or some other avenue - and getting less than full price for it. I could kick myself!!

Here are some of the perks I boiled down for you (I like lists):

• Longer return time

  Premium Return Protection Refund requests can be made up to 180 days from the date of purchase.
• Free shippingAmerican Express will cover the cost of return shipping and handling charges - up to $20 for each claim and up to $100 a year in addition to your coverage.
• Premiere ProtectionYou're covered for up to $600 per eligible purchase (tax included) and up to $2,500 a year for all items.
• ...and lots more!

American Express has teamed up with Pretty Shiny Sparkly to offer the following:

• One year subscription to the Premium Return Protection service (a $49.99 value)
• A $500 American Express gift card - to spend to your heart's content (since the PRP has your back!)

To enter, simply share with us your biggest purchase regret.

Share your horror story! The winner will be selected by myself, and will be entitled to the above fabulous prizes. Contest ends December 10, 2010 at 11:59pm CST. Unfortunately, I'm so sorry to say that this contest is only open to U.S. customers. Sorry, Amex's rules!

****This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for entering! Winner will be announced shortly!****

____________________Disclosure: Pretty Shiny Sparkly was not compensated in any way for this contest - your happiness and participation are my reward!