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THE WEEKEND OUTLOOK Friday March 8 Page Refunds and exchanges most common consumer complaint Problems with refunds and ex changes moved to the top of the 1990 list of the most common con sumer complaints say experts at Ontarios Ministry of Consumer and Relations MCCR Spots two to 10 on the list were as follows Complaints about buying motor vehicles new and used Motor vehicle repair dif ficulties Problems with fitness clubs PLUMBING SUPPLIES Acrylic Bath Shower Units Whirlpools Spas Pedestals Vanities Medicine Cabinets PLUHOIHG PLUMBING SHOWROOM 1 Ave Georgetown Travel complaints with home improvements and renovations 7 Mailorder buying problems 8 Complaints about collection Realestate problems and We make up a list of the top trouble spots every year to help us keep a closer eye on persistent problems says Marilyn sky of the Consumer Services Bureaus We hope it will also HERMANS warn consumers to be cautious In these areas The best way to prevent pro blems with tbe number one com plaint refunds and exchanges is to know the stores policy before you buy she says Store are not legally obliged to accept returns Many shops post their refund policy on a sign When that not the case experts advise shoppers to insist the policy be clearly written on their receipts Auto purchasing problems oc cupied second place down from the number one spot last year Some common causes of disputes include mechanical faults and customers signing more than one purchase agreement Many consumers also had pro blems with vehicle repairs last year As more consumers become aware of their rights under the Motor Vehicle Repair Act we receive more complaints about service and bills says Gurevsky SIDING SOFFITS FASCIA ALUMINUM VINYL SEAMLES3 EAVESTROUOHW SHUTTERS WINDOWS DOORS ASPHALT SHINGLE ROOFING YEAR WRITTEN GUARANTEE OR as J Join the new generation In heme cleaning anew Central Vacuum System can be easily Installed into new and existing homes For more calk zy Plans include all exteriors shown second level square feet AMLY CUSTOM HOMES All Phases of General Contracting Complete Homes or Basement Frame Package Labour All Material Supplied 8736104 PLEASE LEAVE MESSAGE TUGA FORMING LTD Archie Duiker Cone re to Foundation Custom Homos Our Specialty CURTIS EVANS PAINTING RING phone 8730707 HERWYNEN SAWMILL Bruce RED WESTERN CEDAR 8561180 1 VICTORS GLASS ENCLOSURES Solariums Sunrooms Pool Enclosures Entrances U NCI 87312S8 LANGILLEWELL DRILLING 6 Diameter Cable Drilling Pump Sales Service or DID YOU MISS OUR INVITATION TO HAVE YOUR AD INCLUDED IN THIS WEEKLY FEATURE IF SO AND YOU WOULD LIKE TO PLACE AN ADVERTISEMENT CALL KIM at 8772201 Tree Plant Centre Landscape Design Construction ROBERT FREESTONE CONSTRUCTION LTD Residential Commercial Proects To Your Specifications or Ours 8772698 ff Fabrication MODULAR STAIR SYSTEMS DESIGNED FOR THE DOITYOURSELF ENTHUSIAST EXPERT INSTALLATION AVAILABLE LENNOX HEATING TERRY ROWLEY MECHAMCAL INC SI WATER PUMP Sales Service SiCSE PLUMBING SJ ConrSTi Mounting Month Debts Impranmtnts To Vow Call Us For Your Mortpga CORES WELL DRILLING working Generation COMPLETE WATER SYSTEMS INSTALLED 8784515 ATKMS CUSTOM DOWN Mirror a Ceilings Mirror Closet Door Sliding LANDSCAPING SINCE MM Driveways Patios Decks Pruning Interlocking Stone And Much Morel 8779591 Representing kitchens A Touch of Class KITCHEN INC Acton Ontario 8534577 Number four of the top was fitness club problems A number of bankruptcies during tbe year underlined importance of con sumers knowing about their rights under the Prepaid Services Act This law stipulates that fitness clubs must offer memberships paid by tbe month to reduce con sumer losses in the event of clubs bankruptcy or insolvency Tbe clubs may however charge up to per cent more for memberships than for yearly contracts In Ontario no fitness clubs may offer a membership contract longer than one year Next on the list is travel again an area in which company failures resulted in consumer dissatisfaction Consumers are reminded they must deal with an Ontario registered travel agent to be protected under the Ontario Travel Industry Compensation Fund The sixth most frequent con sumer complaint in Ontario last year came from people who were dissatisfied with improvement and renovation work done to their homes Experts suggest the best ways to avoid these problems is to shop around for a contractor get references ask lots of ques tions keep down payments and deposits low and make sure everything is nailed down in a contract before the first hammer is raised Mailorder buying presented problems for some shoppers long before the Consumer Ministry ex isted In fact early settlers in the province received most of their clothing and household articles by post and its speculated even then some unscrupulous vendors took advantage of the unwary Although most companies are reputable there are still risks in mallorder buying especially if the seller operates from outside Ontario cautions Gurevsky Mailorder problems occupy seventh spot on our topten list Collection agencies ranked eighth Consumers should know that collection agencies are tight ly regulated under Ontario law Anyone who thinks they are being treated unfairly by one should contact Net on the list are complaints about real estate ranging from problems with real estate brokers and agents to disagreements between buyers and sellers Many of these pro blems involve a misunderstan ding of a contract The final top ten item is misrepresentation by sellers False or misleading sales claims are against the law in Ontario Consumers wishing to receive a copy of brochure listing information available on a varie ty of consumer topics should write to tbe Consumer Informa tion Centre 1st Floor St Toronto Ontario M7A Foot Care Clinics The Victorian Order of Nurses Halton Branch will hold a Foot Care Clinic at the following loca tions The cost is Milton Community Information Centre 331 Commercial Street Milton March 14 and March am to pm For further information or an appointment please call Bruce street Ontario Street Milton March 130430 pm Harmony Court 111 Ontario Street Milton March to For further Information or an appointment please call Georgetown Public Health Department Boardroom Main Street South Georgetown March pm to 4 CD pm