The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Warranties could be useless PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, July 11, 1989 -- 47 Hidden costs await in grey market buys In Ontario's booming "grey market," stereo components can be $100 cheaper than normal, but hidden costs may hit buyers hard. "Most problems come up when a grey market item breaks down and the owners discover their warranties are worthless, mean- ing they have to pay for repairs," says Marilyn Gurevsky of the On- tario Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations (MCCR). "To give a new twist to an old say- ing, 'You pays less money, you takes more chances.' Grey market goods are foreign- made products -- often top quali- ty brand-name items - not intend- ed for sale in this country. They are imported by Canadian dealers to be sold at reduced prices, often 25 per cent less than usual. The manufacturers' warranties are frequently useless to purchasers here. Parts may not even be available locally. Products frequently sold this way in Ontario include home entertainment equipment, small appliances, batteries and office communications devices such as Fax machines. Grey marketing is not illegal in itself, but packaging, safety testing, advertising and import infractions do occur. The term "grey market' reflects the lack of clear rules and the wide ranging attitudes towards it, Gurevsky explains. 'On one hand, the grey market offers considerable savings to educated consumers who realize it's a bit of a crap shoot," she says. "But we are concerned that a lot of people don't even know the grey market exists, let alone how it works. They rush to grab a chance to save money without realizing the risks." Whether trying to buy or avoid grey market merchandise, con- sumers should learn how to spot it, says Gurevsky. She suggests you look for the following: * "Authorized Dealer" signs -- if not displayed, be suspicious, although some manufacturers don't issue them. * Canadian addresses on war- ranty literature -- if present, the goods are not likely to be '"'grey." * Canadian Standards Associa- tion (CSA) or Ontario Hydro cer- tification or inspection stickers -- Unapproved electronic goods can- not legally be sold in Ontario. Lack of a sticker, especially on a well-known brand, often indicates the item is grey market merchan- dise, but the reverse is not necessarily true. Some grey marketeers get special approval for their goods which can then be stickered. A CSA or Hydro stamp shows the item meets safety stan- dards established under the Cana- dian Electrical Code or "special inspection" guidelines set jointly by the two organizations. * Bilingual literature -- Product packaging, labelling or literature in French and English is a good indication the merchandise was intended for the Canadian market. "Of course, before looking for ONTARIO'S 'WETLANDS oy P.O. Box 28, ', K8J6Y5 Peterborough, = (705) 748-6324 Ontario rm NN y § 7 / . . Wy rf \// ; , wl IR Vas " o : # £ For more information on the importance of wetlands, contact HOME SWEET HOME MUSKRATS, BASS, DUCKS, TURTLES, HERONS, BITTERNS, FROGS, MUSKELLUNGE, NEWTS, MOOSE, BEAVERS, PIKE, GEESE, MINK, CLAMS, LOONS, PERCH, DRAGONFLIES, SNAKES, OSPREYS, SNAILS, WOODCOCK, | + x i, HAWKS, KINGFISHERS, CRAYFISH, MICE, -- "7. RACCOONS, DEER, Wo # SALAMANDERS / J x i. 7 ONTARIO FEDERATION : OF ANGLERS & HUNTERS any of these clues, ask outright if the product was manufactured for sale in Can: da," she says. "As people become more familiar with this market, stores are get- ting more candid about their involvement." The best stores make life even easier for customers by posting signs to clarify the status of goods they carry. Some shops substitute store warranties for those of the manufacturers and ads may carry statements to that effect. "That's a lot better than not get- ting a quarantee at all, but Forage testing kit will help by W.J. Baxter, Agricultural Representative Dairy farmers know well the value of early cut hay. But Mother Nature often intervenes. Frequent rainfalls and high humidity throughout the month of June, along with a faulty weather forecast or two, caught a lot of farmers off guard and spoiled many acres of hay that was already cut. Delayed cutting has reduced the nutrient content of standing hay by 20 to 30 per cent and reduc- ed the probability of a high yeilding second cut. So how can livestock feeders compensate for the reduced quali- ty of their forage feeds? Obviously, a lower level of pro- tein and energy will have to be supplemented using soybean meal and grain. The question is: How much? The answer to this can only be provided by a test of the hay be- ing fed and calculation of the needs of the cattle. A forage testing kit can be bor- rowed from the county agricultural office, and staff are available to help calculate a ra- tion which will allow the cattle to Specializing in Children's Magic PETER LOUGHRAN The Teenage lllusionist FOR BOOKINGS 985-8239 remember, if the retailer goes out "Above all, don't expect Cana- of business, so do any warranties dian companies to honor warran- he provides," says the ministry ties or grey market goods or show representative. ~~ much sympathy if you have pro- "It's as important to shop blems. Some do help just to main- around for a good store and prices tain their good name, but the well for grey market goods as it is for of good will is understandably any other merchandise." running a bit dry." "It's also wise to limit grey Industry representatives market purchases to items that estimate the Canadian grey don't often break down, she says. market is worth $2 billion annual- By choosing brand names known ly and revenues keep climbing -- for dependability and picking as do associated losses to models identical or similar to domestic firms. Some companies Canadian merchandise, shoppers are suggesting Canada enact can protect themselves even legislation to control or outlaw more, says the consumer advisor. grey market activities. Grey marketeers argue their sales help promote price competition. For general information about consumer rights and respon- sibilities, contact the Consumer Information Centre at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario M7A 2H6 -- (416) 963-1111 or toll free at 1-800-268-1142. Ontario residents with an 807 area code may call the 416 number collect. the TTY/TDD line for the hearing/speech im- paired is (416) 963-0808. be properly fed, with very little waste of purchased feed. A few dollars invested in this way could return hundreds or thousands in production gains next winter. starring ... SLICK KITTY | special guest ... CROSS FIRE All proceeds going towards Port Perry Memorial Hospital HOST: Paul Wanamaker, R.R. 2, Seagrave 985-8350 DATE: July 15th starts at 8 PM TICKETS: advance $5.00; at gate $7.00 MACKEY & BAILEY BARRISTERS & SOLICITORS Saturday Mornings - 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon Lake Scugog Lumber Building Oshawa Rd., Port Perry (416) 985-7391 LOGAN'S POOL - CHEMICALS & ACCESSORIES - 8 Years Serving Blackstock and Port Perry Area Pumps - Filters - Blankets Pool Kits (Inground & Above Ground) Rollers - Pool Furniture - etc. mtert- "i 22 Greensboro Dr., Blackstock SUMMER HOURS: July & August Mon.-Sat. 8 AM to 8 PM 986-5404 8 kg. Stablized Chlorine Pucks ...... $65.99 PIZZA TYME WATER ST., PORT PERRY 985-2225 * PANCAKES * & BRITISH FESTIVAL DAYS WHAT a COMBINATION! Buy your large pizza and get four tickets to the Pancake Breakfast. e this coupon before 8:00 PM, Friday, July 14th. One Coupon per Pizza. Quantities are limited. xd -- Mon.-Fri. Evenings 4 to 8 PM Saturday 8 AM to 6 PM oe an 2. a ZA pu Za ZA ZR ZA ZR i ZA a a a at li rm ah AR dR mh da a ls alan wn Ga A ial oa al a al an an