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t > I Section Two The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanvillc, Wednesday, December 4,1991 11 Savt&z S&ofib Santa Claus visited Cockerham's Florists and discovered their shop was alive with colourful Christmas flowers, plants and decorations to give your home the finishing touch for the holidays. Karen Cockerham, left, along with Jodi Hogg, Jesse Bennett and Bev Kerr, are showing Santa a sample of what they have to offer. For all your floral and plant requirements this Christmas, Santa strongly suggests you visit Cockerham's. They'll send flowers anywhere with Teleflora. Visit them soon! Cockerham's Florists 33 King St. W. 623-8855 Bowmanville ^ Check Store Refund Policy s Holiday-season shopping can strain your imagination as well as your pocketbook if you look for something other than the usual tic and socks for Uncle Uncle Charlie. Before you buy, consider whether he'll really want the latest Madonna video, manager of Ontario's Consumer Consumer Services Bureaus. "In fact, they don't. Many businesses believe a fair refund and exchange exchange policy keeps customers coming back, but it's their dc- cision..not the law." Return policies arc often and check the shop's policy on clearly posted. If you don't sec refunds and exchanges. it, ask the clerk to explain the "Some people think stores store's policy and to write it on have to accept returns," says the back of your receipt. Relations, 555 Yonge Street, 1st fl., Toronto, Ontario M7A 2H6, telephone (416) 326-8555 in the Toronto area, or collect from area code 807 only. From other parts of the province call toll free 1-800-268-1142. Special Special visual equipment for use by the hearing and speech impaired impaired is available at (416) 326-8566. Santa Claus dropped by McGregor Home Hardware and visited with some of their friendly, knowledgeable staff. From the left are: Andy Ferguson, Tina Fenneman, Hazel Westwood, Ron Stefaniuk and Mike Carnegie. They showed Santa some of their wonderful Christmas gift ideas, such as power and hand tools for the handyman, a wide range of small home appliances. McGregor's has a good selection of snow shovels, and home improvement supplies, and lots of decorations for your home. Drop in soon for a visit. Remember ... there's no place like "Home"! McGregor 95 King St. W. Till Home Hardware Hardware Bowmanville Telephone 623-2542 Marilyn Gurcvsky, assistant Allouise Fashions Jean Hanthorne, of Allouise Fashions, is urging Santa Claus to be patient while Mrs. Claus is trying on some of the lovely fashions available. You can choose from dresses for the party season, its well as for everyday; suits, sweaters, blouses and coats, as well as a large selection of fashion accessories to finish off that "perfect outfit." At Allouise Fashions you find the latest in women's fashions from the top manufacturers, and at affordable prices. Santa would like to remind the men and seniors, that all their gift purchases will be gift wrapped, free of charge. Incidentally, Allouise Fashions honours Visa, MasterCard and American Express for your added shopping convenience. Allouise Fashions 49 King St. W. Bowmanville Telephone 623-5854 "Fashions for Today's Woman" Find out if the store offers full or partial refunds, exchanges exchanges or credit notes. Also, while some stores accept price tags as proof of purchase, others others may require 'a receipt or charge-account bill. If you think you might have to return the item, don't forget to ask. Many retailers accept returns returns on some articles, but not on others. Jewelry, shoes, undergarments undergarments andother personal items arc often not returnable for sanitary reasons. Goods that can't be resold because they're no longer in stock or in fashion are also frequently exempt exempt from refund and exchange exchange policies. Some sale prices are possible possible because the retailer gets a good deal from a manufacturer and passes the savings on to the consumer. This merchandise merchandise is likely to be returnable. But one type of sale item that can almost never be relumed relumed is the loss-leader. Articles Articles on sale arc placed near the shop entrance to draw people's attention. The merchant intentionally intentionally sells them at a "loss" to "lead" shoppers into the store. Most stores set limits on what condition goods can be in when they're returned. Some say packages can't have been opened. This is common with video and audio tapes and many other products that can be easily damaged. In certain cases, goods may even be returnable if they've been damaged from use. But if the damage is caused by misuse, misuse, most stores will refuse the refund. Consumers have protection under the Business Practices Act if goods don't live up to sales'or advertising claims. If a product doesn't work the way the salesperson said it would, you can ask for your money back within six months of purchase. purchase. To do this, send a registered registered letter stating, "I exercise my right of rescission under section four of The Business Practices Act," Include your reasons for making the request and a full description of the item in the letter. Also, send along a copy (not the original) of your receipt. Safeguards aside, the best way to avoid problems with refunds refunds and exchanges is to shop carefully. When considering expensive items, do some homework before you buy. Li- brarians will be happy to show you many worthwhile consumer consumer publications. Take the time to compare prices, quality and stores' reputations reputations for service. To receive a free copy of the brochure Refunds and exchanges; exchanges; do you know the facts? contact the Consumer Information Centre, Ministry of Consumer and Commercial o Bowmanville Audio-Vision Ted Denny, President of Bowmanville Audio-Vision, followed by David Ryan, Bob McCann, Peter Konidis and Michelle Brock, are helping Santa Claus on his tour of their store. Santa discovered a huge selection of the latest in stereo equipment from Technics, state-of-the-art electronics from Panasonic, Hitachi and GoldStar, as well as electronic toys and equipment from Radio Shack. Santa suggests a microwave oven from Panasonic would make a perfect gift for the busy homemaker, and they're available in a wide price range. Santa Claus says: "If you're looking for electronic entertainment for your family this Christinas, you have to visit Bowmanville Audio-Vision, Bowmanville's Complete Electronics Store" Bowmanville Audio-Vision 58 King St. W. Telephone 623-2312