| Preventive Tips |
| 1. Shop around - always get several estimates on major purchases or service contracts. |
| 2. If you do not know the seller, check with your local consumer group or Better Business Bureau. |
| 3. Never sign a contract before you read and understand it. Do not sign a blank contract that a salesperson says will be filled in at a later date. |
| 4. Always keep records of such things as bills, contracts, canceled cheques and warranties. |
| 5. Do not rush into something involving your money or property. |
| 6. Be wary of something-for-nothing or get-rich-schemes. |
| 7. Be wary of door-to-door sales people. Do not allow yourself to be pushed into buying something you don't really need or want. Take a day to think about it. Read the contract; ask the salesperson to explain all the costs involved. |
| 8. Before you buy anything, find out what the store policy is about defective goods, repairs and returns. |
| 9. Avoid miracle cures, laboratory test and mail order clinics usually found in magazine ads. There are no miracle cures for cancer, arthritis or any other disease. Bogus medical treatment offered through the mail should be reported to your physician or local medical authorities. |
| 10. Be suspicious of retirement estate advertisements in papers, magazines and brochures. A quick call to a reputable realtor or the Better Business Bureau may save you financial grief. |
| 11. If you have a complaint and you aren't being treated well, put the complaint in writing to the store manager or president. Be sure to keep a copy. |
| Who To Contact |
|
Better Business Bureau Suite 404 - 788 Beatty Street Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 2M1 Telephone 682-2711 |
| or the |
|
Ministry of Labour and Consumer Services 940 Blanshard Street Victoria, British Columbia V8W 3E6 Telephone 1 - 250 - 356-1487 |