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Smartâ€"shopping experts at Ontario‘s consumer ministry offer help to make sure your consumer skills are up to par in time for National Consumer Week, April 26 to May 2. They‘re put together a conâ€" sumer quiz you can try with friends or on vour own. Time to test consumer skills Your score on this trueâ€"false quiz may show you to be a real marketplace wizâ€" Answer true or false 1. There‘s no way to check for a lien on a motor vehicle if you buy from a priâ€" vate seller. 7( } F( ) ard. But if you find you‘re a little weak in some areas, call the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations enquiry lines, at the numbers listed at the end of the quiz, for information and free brochures on many consumer topics. to call money T( 3. You should only buy lowâ€"priced items on credit. Expensive items, such as cars, cost too much on credit. T( ) ~â€"F(â€"}] 4. Banks can check your creditâ€"bureau records any time they wish. T( J PC ) 5. It‘s all right to give a creditâ€"card number over the phone, so long as you‘re sure you want the item you‘re ordering. TC:)..FCl) 6. Stores have to take returns. T( ) »FC J 7. If a roofer gives you the names of some customers who‘ll give references, you don‘t need to check them. The comâ€" pany must be honest. T( ) F( ) *~ 00 0 0 6 06 00 00 056 6 86 o6 It‘s a good idea to buy something ollection agencies have the right you any time, to help them get you owe a company. ) F(C ) you don‘t really want to get a free gift you‘d like. T( ) FC ) 9. Only consumers who deal with regâ€" istered travel agents are protected if the agency does bankrupt. agency C TC J 10. estimate work on C harassment of the debtor or his or her familv. Anyone who believes they are being harassed by a collection agency should contact their local Consumer Services Bureau, listed in the blue pages of the telephone directory. 3. False. Experts say it‘s not a good idea to make credit payments on inexpenâ€" sive items. The cost of the credit may be very high, when compared with the price of the item. Credit is best reserved for the major items that consumers find it diffiâ€" cult or impossible to save for, such as houses, or in many cases, cars. 4. False. Banks are allowed to check credit records if the consumer has been g.e # 0 a8 6 0o 6 00 04 06 86 o 6 T( ) ;FQâ€") You should always get a written e before allowing a repair shop to n your car. y EC ) notified or applied for credit 5. False. Smart shoppers only give their creditâ€"card number over the teleâ€" phone if they‘ve initiated the call and they know the reputation of the company. 6. False. Stores set their own refund and exchange policies. The consumer is responsible for checking stores‘ policies before making a purchase. If it isn‘t clearly posted on a sign in the store ask that the policy be clearly written on your sales receipt. 7. False. Always check references before you enter into an agreement with any homeâ€"improvement contractor. It‘s best to talk with one or two clients whose work was done some time ago to find out how well it has stood up. 10. True. Getting a written estimate from a carâ€"repair shop is your guarantee of protection under the Motor Vehicle Repair Act. The garage can‘t charge more than 10 per cent above the price quoted without your permission. 8. False. The attraction of getting a free trip, television or jewelry convinces many people to buy things they don‘t really want. But often consumers are disâ€" appointed with freeâ€"gift offers and in some cases they lose their money. Remember the adage: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. 9. True. Ontario registered travel agents pay into the Travel Industry Compensation Fund. If the agent does out of business before you‘ve received serâ€" vices you‘ve already paid for, you can claim for compensation. How did you fare on the quiz? If you‘d like to receive free brochures on a variety of consumer issues, call the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations general enquiry lines, at 326â€" 8555 in the Toronto area, or tollâ€"free 1â€" 800â€"268â€"1142 from other parts of the province. Spec impaired al equipment for the hearing is available at (416) 326â€"8566.