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The environmentally-conscious, computerized, electromicafly- interconnected xnarketplace- foreseen for Ontario in the nineties stili won't have to give refunds. The belief that stores must give refunds is one of those longstanding consumer misconceptions that refuse to die. Even new problemsi bomn of computerized shopping, electronic funds transfers and phone sales are unlikely to rival such traditional bugbears, says Caroyln Lentz of the Ontario Ministry of Consumer and J Commercial Relations (MCCR). "Although electronics technology may change consumnerismn a great deal in the next decade, the old rules for protecting yourself will stili hold true," says Lentz,' MCCR's consumer education specialist. "There will be new ways of transacting business, but we'll still have to comparison shop, ask questions and know our rights, whether we buy by phone, television or computer. People will stili have complaints about misleading sales, unfulfilled warranties and refund policies. "People making smnart purchases now, are unlikely te make many mistakes in the future, although they'II have te learn how the new systems work. The. pressure te buy on impulse -.may skyrocket, as home shopping systems don't encourage comparison shopping." Consumer Minister Gregory Sorbara last year helped te launch a nationaI committee to study the telemarketing industry -- phone sales, television shopping, computerized ordering and other aspects of the electronic marketplaee. The committee will review existing and anticipated concerns about telemnarketing practices, making* recommendations on ways to ensure fair treatment of consuniers. Set up at a federal/ of new consumer causes, some of which are already gaining momentum4 or eample, deniand for! enironnmenta[y safe products wýlIliHkely continue to grow, Lentzi says. Consumers interested in this cause will have to stay informed about develbpments ini packaging and labelling practices to understand1what they are buying. "If you're paying extra for something that's supposed to be 'environmeâtally safe', it's a good idea to kn ow what tests the product must pass to make that claim.' Lentz likens the issue to the 1980's -light" food fad. Even now, with some standards set for these products, many consumers don't understand what 'light" means, she says. The use of consumer pressure to bring environinentally friendly products into stores illustrates how buyers cari influence the marketplace, Lentz says. "And we're going to see a lot more of this kind of pressure as our. populations ages, changing the!kind of products and services Most in demand," Lentz says. 'Thnere will be more small-portion packs of food. Ads will be targeted at seniors. And everything from housing to travel services wilI be geared more to the older provinciaVterritorial conference of consumer ministers, theworking group is te submit a report next te be characterized b.y a number____________ WASTE RECEPTACLES We seil receptacles - plastic or metai; stationary or mobile; large or smnall; indoor or outdoor; household or industrial: - for practically any use, in a wide variety of colours. We are Rubbermaid's Iargest industrial distributor in Eastern Ontario. Rubbermaid receptacles are designed flot to crack or break when they freeze or to dent when they're kicked. And they look good wherever they're used - whether it's your kitchen or the local shopping mail. Corne on in to Region's most display. our Clean- It Centre. We have Durhamn complete line of waste receptacles on population. The consumer ministry is tracking trends carefully to help keep market- regulation up to date. New legisiation may be enacted if required. For exaznple, regulation of the funeral services industry is already changing drastically. However, Lentz points out that more than ever, MCCR will be focusing on education Of consumers to prevent marketplace problen's. "Many of today's common complaints can be avoided if people understand their rights and take steps te protect themselves," she says. "And that old caveat 'buyer beware'is sure te be as valid in tomorrow's high-tech marketplace as it is today. i Information about many consumer issues is available from the Consumer Information Centre at 555 Yonge St., Toronto, Ontario, M7A 2H6 '-- (416) 326-8555 or toll free at 1-800-268-1142. Ontario residents with an 807 area code may call the 416 nuniber collect. The TDDPI'TY ne for the hearing/speech impaired is (416) 326-8566. home, So we made it easy. Almost eve5ythng in evey one of our locations is on sale during the month of January. We've started with sav- ings up ta 40% on floor models, and continued on with marked-down pàces on tables, entertainment. This year, we couldn't decide what to feature in our January sale. 1A hitbyVbuiness Belief that stores mus.t give refuneds is fi consumer misonception" units, wall units, complete dining room suites, bedroom furniture, rocking chairs, chaih, quilt stands and even breadboards. It's Woodcraft's 1]]Januay Sale -the ulti- k mate antidote for empty 111] corners, open spaces, blank walls, and blank -~ stares. IDrop in today, and, ~~Vf -r-- you il find out how Woodcraft' January Sale -~ can really hit home. AUl WodR]aft Tables, 20% Off' Evety Woodcrafi fable is On Sale - Ail Sizes - Ail Styles - Harvest & Pedestal Tables.- Square. Round. Recfangular or Octagonal . Fntrtanmet/WilUnits, Bookcases, 15%ffn Individual Pieces and Systemts designed f0 suif your needs starting fmom 33'wide, solid wood bookcases f0 complete AudioyVideo Entertainment Centres and Pine or Oaù Wall Unit Systems 10%e ff SingePiMeces, 15% Off 3 or moleltems Specý iaPies Stoi-Wide Floor Models * Up to 40%Of Selected Items on thre floor of each Woodcrafi locatton are on sale - Dtsplay Stock- Scratch & Denf Stain Colour Refums -Prototypes OPEN SUNDAY lhe Barn: Markham Rd. & Steeles Ave. 293-2279 M te excfudes. uphosterv and BunkWxm l umîturr. but ptase compare mitr "Lutar tow piccso m-i eis. Workshop & Showroom:' 370 Denison St. E., Markham. 475-2488 Whitby: 111 Dunlop St. W. at Brock Si. 668-2770 The Market Village N.E. corner Kennedy &'Sîeeles (beside Cullen Barn) 477-6104 WMHTBY MRE PRESS, WEDNEsDAY, jANUARY, 17, 1990, PAGE 9 (Jut - F R EE)& W.2)ALWRN 57-15568-01943-45 Find out how ta make your work place more accessible ta the Deaf emnployee. Cal the Canadian Hearing Society at 416-964-9595, or write ta us at: 2 71 Spadina Road, Toronto, Ontario M5R2V3 lsyearwe want Our JanuaiySale. tooeallhit -9 Q MAINTENANCE LTD. 500 HOPKINS STE, WHITBY 666-1224 - - - - -- ý. - :1 < ý 1 fflu ý w